The Kerner Commission’s Recommendations for Preventing Riots and Addressing Racial Tensions in Inner Cities

Kerner Commission

A group that was tasked by President Lyndon Johnson to compose a report analyzing the racial unrest seen in several American cities in 1967. This information compiled by this group determined that poverty and institutional racism were the root causes of the violence and unrest that took place in African American neighborhoods.

The Kerner Commission, also known as the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, was established in July 1967 by President Lyndon B. Johnson in response to a series of riots in American cities. The riots were sparked by a variety of factors including racial inequality and police brutality against African Americans.

The Commission was named after its chairman, Governor Otto Kerner of Illinois. Its task was to investigate the causes of the riots and make recommendations for how to prevent future occurrences. The Commission consisted of eleven members, including politicians, academics, and civil rights leaders.

The Kerner Commission conducted extensive research and held public hearings in cities across the country to gather information about the causes of the riots. Its final report, issued in March 1968, concluded that the riots were caused by deep-seated racial tensions and poverty in America’s inner cities.

The Commission recommended a variety of solutions, including increased investment in education, housing, and job training programs in inner-city communities. It also called for an end to discriminatory practices by police departments and other public institutions.

Although the Kerner Commission’s recommendations were widely praised, they were largely ignored by policymakers and the public. Many Americans viewed the report as too radical and unrealistic. Nevertheless, the Commission’s work helped to bring attention to the root causes of urban unrest and stimulated national debate about how to address them.

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