Reasons for the 65-68 riots

What major civil rights figure was assassinated in 1968 that sparked many of the latter riots?

Martin Luther King Jr.

How did the Vietnam war contribute?

The draft disproportionately targeted black people as they could not afford to buy their way out of it. They felt deep resentment being sent to fight for “freedom” abroad for a country that did not respect theirs.

How did the idea of the American dream contribute?

Thanks to systemic racism, black people found it harder to access the dream, creating tension and resentment

How did the black power movement contribute?

Figureheads like X, Carmichael and Mohammad and the newly radicalised SNCC (changing the N from nonviolent to national) and CORE inspired black people to resist inequality with violence

How did police brutality contribute?

The mostly white police force upheld white interests and subjugated black people, creating tension and resentment.

How did the Kerner Commission contribute?

It stated that “white society is deeply implicated in the ghetto”, acknowledging the legacy (and some continuation) of restrictive covenants and police brutality and how they contributed to the high numbers of black people living in substandard housing.

What major civil rights figure was assassinated in 1965 that contributed?

Malcolm X

How did lack of progress contribute? (3 stats)

Whilst some social and political reforms had passed, there was little to no economic improvement for black people. Black unemployment was double white unemployment, 50% of people of colour lived in substandard housing relative to 18% of white people and 30% of black people lived below the poverty line relative to only 8% of white people.

How did the weather contribute?

It had been a long hot summer, people were agitated and spending more time outside in big groups.

How did other riots contribute?

It created a domino effect across the nation as once one place began rioting other people got inspired.