The NPR Politics Podcast Black Rebellion: Mass Violence And The Civil Rghts Movement
Jul 17, 2021
Elizabeth Hinton, an associate professor of history and African American studies at Yale, discusses her book America on Fire. She reveals how aggressive policing sparked mass violence in Black communities since the 1960s. Hinton emphasizes the historical impact of labeling events as 'rebellions' instead of 'riots' and highlights police brutality’s role in community uprisings. The conversation connects past struggles for racial justice with today’s police reform debates, advocating for community investment as a path to lasting change.
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Episode notes
Rebellions, Not Riots
- Elizabeth Hinton intentionally uses "rebellions," not "riots," to describe the clashes.
- This emphasizes the socioeconomic grievances driving the violence, like police brutality and lack of opportunity.
Stockton 1968
- In Stockton, 1968, police escalating force during a party led to increased violence.
- This demonstrates how police actions can exacerbate community tensions and prolong unrest.
Missed Opportunities
- Commissions repeatedly recommended socioeconomic investments to reduce violence, not just more policing.
- These recommendations were largely ignored, leading to a cycle of escalating violence.
