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Learning From the Urban Unrest of the Past Race, Space, and Riots in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles by Janet L. Abu-Lughod (New York: Oxford University Press, 344 pages, $35.00)
A leading urbanologist provides a highly detailed and carefully researched study of six American race riots of the twentieth century. In each case, the author not only documents historical events but insightfully explains why, in each instance, this unrest occurred. This historical analysis offers valuable suggestions on how to avoid racial conflagrations in the future.
ON AUGUST 11, 1965, a young black man who had been drinking was pulled over by a highway patrolman near Watts, just outside the Los Angeles city limits. When the youth protested over being taken to jail, a large throng of people gathered. Police called for reinforcements and in the melee that evolved the black man and his brother were both struck by billy clubs. Police were pelted with rocks as they left the scene transporting the black men in the back of their squad cars.
For the next several hours rumors about the arrests spread throughout the community. Violence escalated and city, state, and police officials did little or nothing other than to contain it inside Watts. Over the next six days, 34 people were killed and at least 1,000 others were injured. More than 600 buildings were damaged by fire or looting. At least 200 buildings were completely destroyed.
Twenty-six years later in 1991, four Los Angeles policemen were videotaped beating Rodney King. Seventeen other officers stood by and watched the beating. A year later, when the four officers who had been accused of brutality were acquitted in suburban Ventura County, South Central Los Angeles again erupted in violence. This time the nation watched the violence beamed to televisions from news helicopters hovering over the riot area.
Despite similarities, all race riots are not alike. And only after a thorough examination of the causes, reactions, and the aftermath of these riots can we learn how...