The D.C. Riots: Forty Years Later | The Kojo Nnamdi Show

WAMU 88.5
  • Favorited 0 times
  • 0 comments

The D.C. Riots: Forty Years Later

Listen Wednesday, Apr. 2, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. in Conflict, Law, Politics, Society

On April 4th, 1968, the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. sent shock waves across the country. And for twelve days, riots erupted across Washington D.C., killing thirteen and injuring thousands. The unrest left scars on Washington D.C.'s physical and cultural landscape still felt today. Kojo talks with people directly affected by the violence, and explores the enduring legacy of April 1968.

Order a order a CD CD or order a transcript TRANSCRIPT of this program.

Guests

Jack White

Adjunct Professor of Journalism, Virginia Commonwealth University; contributor to the Root.com; Former Columnist and National Editor, Time Magazine

Jane Freundel Levey

Chief Program Officer and Historian for Cultural Tourism DC

Isaac Fulwood Jr.

former D.C. Chief of Police

Larry Rosen

Owner, Smith's Pharmacy (2518 14th Street, NW), a local business destroyed by rioters in April, 1968

Virginia Ali

Family Owner, Ben's Chili Bowl

Lawrence Guyot

Former Chairman, Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party; civil rights activist

Related links

Soldiers on streets. April 8, 1968.<div><em>Joseph Silverman, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Soldiers on streets. April 8, 1968.
Joseph Silverman, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.
View more images
Protest. April 5, 1968.<div><em>Bernie Boston, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Protest. April 5, 1968.<div><em>Bernie Boston, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Soldiers on street. April 5, 1968.<div><em>Bernie Boston, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Streetscape.<div><em>Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Save More Food Store and Ice Plant Fire, 16th Street and F Street, NE -- Taken from the roof of the Washington Star. April 6, 1968.<div><em>Ken Heinen, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Owner Larry Rosen in front of Smith's Pharmacy, 2518 14th Street, NW.<div><em>Photo courtesy of Larry Rosen.</em></div>
Damage to Smith's Pharmacy after April 1968 riot.<div><em>Photo courtesy of Larry Rosen.</em></div>
Liquor store looter, 15th Street and Maryland Avenue NE. April 6, 1968.<div><em>Joseph Silverman, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Trooper warns would-be Safeway looters, 14th Street NW. April 6, 1968.<div><em>Owen Duvall, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
6th and K Street NW. April 6, 1968.<div><em>Joseph Silverman, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Troops of 82nd Airborne rest at Ballou Senior High School. April 6, 1968.<div><em>Ken Heinen, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
During the riots looting was often selective, in many cases avoiding African-American-owned stores. Many business-owners placed 'soul brother' or 'soul sister' signs in their storefronts. Undated.<div><em>John Aikins, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
14th Street NW between Montrose and Park Streets. April 9, 1968.<div><em>Francis Routt, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
14th Street NW between Montrose and Park Streets. April 9, 1968.<div><em>Francis Routt, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Transportation for their new homes by bus for these Shaw area residents...these going to Barry Farm, 913 P Street NW. April 9, 1968.<div><em>Paul Schmick, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Capital Liquor store on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, April 10, 1968.<div><em>Bernie Boston, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Gary Scott and the New Generation with go-go girls, dancing for the 2nd Battalion of the 82nd Airborne, 325 Infantry. April 10, 1968.<div><em>Walter Oates, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
General Ralph E. Haines details the military riot control plan 'Cabin Guard'. April 12, 1968.<div><em>Gene Abbott, Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
Loot from the April Rioting goes on the auction block today. August 5, 1968.<div><em>Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>
February 25, 1969.<div><em>Star Collection, reprinted by permission of the DC Public Library; (c) Washington Post.</em></div>

Comments

Search

Find Past Shows

Today <<    <  

March 2010

 
loading...
S M T W T F S
 
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
 
 
 
 
8
 
9
 
10
 
11
 
12
 
 
 
 
 
15
 
16
 
17
 
18
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Related NPR Stories

© WAMU 88.5 American University Radio | 4000 Brandywine Street NW | Washington, DC 20016-8082 | (202) 885-1200 | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

WAMU 88.5
Donate nowListen live

The Kojo Nnamdi Show is produced by member-supported WAMU 88.5 in Washington, DC.