What Recent History Can Tell Us About Why Race Riots Happen
A look at the entrenched social and cultural factors behind race riots
Most of us will now be aware of the horrific scenes that have erupted across the United States of America. We are familiar with the story, but we must keep it fresh in our minds so we maintain the clarity of its present salience.
…ethnic inequalities of welfare have been long, persistent catalysts of social, cultural and political tension…
An overview of the US 2020 race riots so far
On May 25th 2020, George Floyd was accused of using a counterfeit $20 note. He is alleged to have resisted arrest, for which white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for longer than 8 minutes. George Floyd was killed, and Derek Chauvin was subsequently arrested on Friday 29th May 2020 on suspicion of third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Peaceful protests and violent riots have broken out across the USA in response. The Times reports that in Philadelphia, protesters “threw rocks and petrol bombs at police”, while in Louisville, Kentucky, “a man was shot dead” allegedly by police officers, as law enforcement attempted to restore order there. In New York, police officers were…
