'Django Unchained' actress speaks at USC panel discussion about race, civil rights

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The "Django Unchained" actress who claimed racial profiling when she was detained by Los Angeles police spoke out at a panel discussion at University of Southern California.

Daniele Watts, best known for her role in the 2012 movie, was part of a panel Monday involving race, sexual expression and civil rights at the USC Gould School of Law.

Watts was detained and later released by police back in September. Authorities said they received a complaint of a couple having sex in a parked car.

Watts claims she and her boyfriend, who is white, were only kissing. The actress, who refused to give the officer her ID, said she was treated differently than her boyfriend.

"That day, yes, I exploded, right, there was an explosion, but if we're going to condemn me, then we also have to look at the entire society that I am a product of," Watts said at the discussion.

Watts said she hopes her experience can start a healthy dialogue about race in Los Angeles.

Watts and her boyfriend are currently facing a charge of lewd conduct. The district attorney's office filed the charge in October. She did not address the charge at the panel discussion.

She is due in court Nov. 13. If convicted, she could face up to a year in county jail and a $1,000 fine.