Operation Bootstrap (1968)

Operation Bootstrap a nonprofit communitybased organization was founded in October 1965 just two months after the Watts rebellion as a response to a neighborhood in distress The 1968 documentary captures Bootstraps mission of economic development with scenes of women and men training for a range of employment opportunities including how to operate power sewing machines for work in the local garment factory to the new technologies of the day the IBM keypunch machines Especially engaging are the scenes of sensitivity sessions hosted by the organization where black and white Angelenos debate issues of race and racism in 1960s America The films cinémavérité style allows for a certain closeness with its subject and allows for a precious time capsule glimpse into this vibrant and struggling community