THE RIOT REPORT | Trailer | AMERICAN EXPERIENCE | PBS

Summary

The transcript discusses the 1967 urban riots and the subsequent Kerner Commission, which investigated the underlying causes of civil unrest in American cities during the turbulent 1960s. Key references include Newark, Detroit, and President Lyndon Johnson's directive to form a presidential commission to examine systemic racial and social issues. The commission conducted extensive research across 23 cities, ultimately producing a groundbreaking report that acknowledged systemic problems and recommended significant structural reforms, including job creation and potential economic support programs.