Wild Youths, Welfare Dependents, and Undocumented Citizens

Nic John Ramos tracks medical responses to neighborhood transformation and Reagan's ascendancy at King-Drew. Built to create medical opportunities for black neighborhoods and black professionals in the aftermath of the Watts... [ view full abstract ]

Nic John Ramos tracks medical responses to neighborhood transformation and Reagan's ascendancy at King-Drew. Built to create medical opportunities for black neighborhoods and black professionals in the aftermath of the Watts riot, King-Drew housed innovative managed care services for neighborhood residents. As costs grew, and the neighborhoods changed to become majority Mexican, King Drew built an additional Emergency Department and an ambulatory care unit to separate immediate trauma, long-term care and preventative care. “Wild Youths, Welfare Dependents, and Undocumented Citizens” argues that these new built environments strengthened distinctions between ‘responsible’ and ‘irresponsible’ residents, ironically perfect environment for the Reagan era.