U SH 1 8 -3 U rb an P ro b lem s

• The Watts Riot– Inner-city Los Angeles • Predominantly African-American

– Rioting over allegations of police brutality– 34 people killed– 900 injured– $45 million in property damages

Urban Problems

• The Kerner Commission – Study causes of recent riots– Make recommendation to stop future rioting – “America is becoming two nations” (Black and

White)

– Recommendations: • Create 2 million inner-city jobs• Construction of 6 million public housing units • Federal government must fight “defacto” segregation

– “defacto”: a matter of fact even if not law

• Pres. Johnson does not endorse the recommendations – Cost of Vietnam War main reason

B lack Po w er

• Many African-Americans turn away from M.L. King’s call for non-violent action

• A more aggressive form of protest• Stokely Carmichael – Leader of movement – Adopt “afro” hairstyle and African-style clothes

Black Power

• Malcolm X– Became symbol of Black Power movement– Joined Nation of Islam• Believed African-Americans should form own society in

America

– Eventually left Nation of Islam

Black Power

• The Black Panthers– Organized by• Huey Newton• Bobby Seale• Eldridge Cleaver

– Called for a violent revolution

King Assassinated

• African-American unity splintered • King goes to Memphis for a march• Assassinated by sniper on hotel balcony – More than one hundred riots the following weeks– Civil rights movement lacks vision and unity