Taylor Ford23 November 2015
Race and Place in Riots: Influence of these Factors on the Baltimore Riots
In class we were exposed to the riots that occurred in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles in the 19th century. We looked in depth at Abu-Lughod’s book Race, Space and Riots: In Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, this book highlighted the issues of race and space in terms of riots. This paper will explore the influence of these two factors in the riots that took place in Baltimore. How did space and race influence the riots? Were both factors equally influential in the events that took place?
Many of the riots of the 19th century as presented in Abu-Lughod’s book were seen to be racially motivated. As seen in Abu-Lughod's book often the minority was either targeted causing the riot or the racial divide perpetuated the event (Abu-Lughod, 2007). The events that occurred in Baltimore in April 2015 could be described as both the targeting of a minority member and showing a depth racial divide that further perpetuated the events. Freddie Gray, a black member of the Baltimore community was arrested and while in police custody sustained injuries to his neck and spine this led to him going into a coma and at a trauma center he later passed away. His death and lack of explanation from the proper authorities as to what events led to his death caused the many to come together and express their discontent with the way the situation was being handled. The black community was looking for answers as to why one of their own was hurt and died while in the custody of the police. The police and proper authorities were not providing answers (Berlinger, 2015). Therefore the targeting of a minority group member along with a deep racial divide perpetuated by other events caused rioting to occur. The issue of race was only one of the factors involved in the Baltimore riots.
Another factor when examining riots is the location where the riots take place. As seen is Abu-Lughod’s book riots often happen in the neighborhood of those who feel oppressed. People often question why individuals would want to destroy their own neighborhood, but if one’s voice is not being heard wouldn’t you do anything to get the necessary attention. The rioters are just looking for answers as to why they are so marginalized (Abu-Lughod, 2007). In the case of Baltimore the rioting took place in the neighborhood where Freddie Gray was arrested and jailed. The riots in the neighborhoods escalated very quickly after Freddie Gray’s funeral. Many different buildings were vandalized and some were even set on fire. The rioters were looking to understand the circumstances behind Gray’s death. Their actions were in response to not getting straight talk from the people who had access to what happened in the moments leading up to Gray’s injury and death. The location of the riots was both in a place that rioters knew better than those who would try to stop the events but also in close proximity to where the Freddie Gray’s death (the trigger event) took place. In the case of the Baltimore riots location was a very important factor, the trigger event and area of the rioting was found in the same neighborhood (Harris, 2015). The location tells a story, it shows that the people of the neighborhood were fed up with not getting answers from those in power but also represents the trigger event.
These two factors race and space both played key roles in the Baltimore riots. Race was represented in a great divide among the majority and minority involved and was perpetuated by the targeting of a minority community member. This racial divide and targeting led to rioting in Baltimore. The location of these riots was important because they were in the neighborhood where Gray was arrested and jailed. Abu-Lughod’s analysis of race and space in riots can allow one to better understand the dynamics of the Baltimore riots.
Work Cited
Abu-Lughod, Janet.Race, Space, and Riots: In Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2007. Print.
Berlinger, Joshua. "Baltimore Riots: A Timeline - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 27 Apr. 2015. Web.
Harris, Emma P. "Baltimore Riots: Damage and Incidents of Violence [Map]." Baltimoresun.com. The Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2015. Web.