Introduction
Numerous cities in the U.S were torn through by racial riots in the 1960s. Between 1964 and 1971, there were massive civil disturbances erupting from reasons associated with racial discrimination and eventually led to large numbers of arrests, deaths, injuries and property damage. This was mainly evident in areas that the blacks existed in large numbers. Race riots were mass racial violence that incorporated attacks on the African Americans and they occurred together with lynching especially through the early 20th century which was a period after the reconstruction.
Discussion
Race Riots in Chicago
The Chicago riots occurred at the Democratic National Convention back in the 28th of August 1968. This riot was mainly after a year in which there had been massive assassinations and regular disappointments originating from the political sector. Protestors from varying groups showed up in Chicago, to express their displeasure to Johnson’s administration bearing in mind the growing division socially and the manner in which the Vietnam War had been handled. The countless civilians were disbursed with teargas and mace. In this occasion, seven people now known as the Chicago seven were charged with conspiracy for inciting. Others were acquitted and others fined.
Riots in Los Angeles
These riots in other instances have been referred to as the Rodney King riots that occurred on 29th April to 4th May of 1992. King was the black man who took the parole and led the officers through a high speed chase in Los Angeles after which he was caught and beaten. The incident was then recorded on camera which led to the charging of the officers for using excessive force. After they were charged, the judge eventually made a decision that provoked the Hispanic and the blacks and they opted for riots. The riots injured 2,000, killed 53 and cost damages amounting to $1 billion in damages.
Newark Riots of July 12th to 17th, 1967
There was running for almost a week in the streets on New Jersey that ended injuring hundreds and killing 26. The black residents were responding to increased feelings of being disenfranchised and the high incidences of police brutality. The incident that specifically provoked this reaction was an incident in which a black cab driver had arrested and beaten badly by white cops who were of the mean view that they had been improperly passed. He was later taken to hospital but the rumors reaching the African Americans were that he had lost his life.
Race Riots in Cleveland
These were Hough Riots that took place over a six night period in the predominant African American Hough Community living in Cleveland, Ohio. It started from the 18th of July to the 23rd in 1966. In these riots, 4 blacks were killed, 30 were critically injured, 275 were arrested and an excess of 240 fires were burning. Their dissatisfaction erupted from racial and social harshness. After the riots, very many people left the area leaving their jobs which caused painful economic endurances for the region till the current date. The crowd in the process had grown bigger after the Cleveland Police Department attempted to defuse a crowd of only 50 in their initial riots.
San Francisco Riots
The riot erupted at an African American neighborhood known as the Hunters Point. It was motivated by the shooting of a black 17 years old fleeing the scene of a stolen car. It begun on the 27th of September 1966. The black residents were annoyed and opted for massive riots which started along the Navy Road two hours after the incident. It proceeded for three days. On this occasion, the divide between the whites and the blacks grew even further and they adopted the perspective that no one really cared for what the blacks suffered from and that it was too late to take any correctional measures. The property damages were minimal as compared to other cities as it amounted to several hundred thousand dollars. Ten civilians were also reported as victims of wounds resulting from gun shots.
Race Riot in Detroit
It is also referred to as the 12th Street Riot that begun on the 23rd July 1967. This was a very violent disorder that eventually became a civil disturbance in Detroit, Michigan. It began after police raided an unlicensed bar on the Clair Mount and 12th Street. The confrontations between the operators, the police and the involvement of the observers erupted to a deadly and massive destructive riot. It lasted for five days and destroyed valuable property. In his own insight, the then Governor W. Romney and the support of the President sent in army troops and Michigan National Guard. While this attempt aimed at restoring order and calming the disturbance, 43 people died, 1,189 were injured, and 2,000 buildings were destroyed while 7,200 people were arrested. While there were a few whites rioting against the army and the police, it was mainly a racial field in which the African Americans were demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the treatment they got from the police.
Works Cited
Carnes, Mark C. American history. New York: Macmillan Library Reference, 1998. Print.
Lughod, Janet L. Race, space, and riots in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print.
Williams, Mary E. Racism. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Print.
