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Witness History: The 1960s report that warned the USA was racist

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The report that said racial division threatened the future of every American

10/07/2020 GMT

The 1960s report that warned the USA was racist

BBC World Service - Witness History, The 1960s report that warned the USA was racist

A US government report into the riots of 1967 blamed white racism for creating ghettos

A US government report into the riots of 1967 blamed white racism. The Kerner Commission warned America it was dividing into two separate and unequal societies.

In the summer of 1967 more than 100 cities in America were caught up in riots.  US Senator Fred Harris urged the President, Lyndon B Johnson, to investigate the causes.  He set up the Kerner Commission and appointed Fred Harris as one of 11 members to find out why America was burning. The final report shocked many Americans when it blamed white racism for creating and sustaining black ghettos.  It said the US was dividing into two separate and unequal societies - one black and one white.  Claire Bowes has been speaking to former US Senator Fred Harris.

Photo: Members of the Kerner Commission giving final approval to the panel's report on 28th February 1968. Senator Fred R. Harris, (D-Okla.) third from left.
Credit: Bettmann/Getty

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