white-flight

The chapter profiles the social, political, and economic tensions in Newark leading up to and during the 1967 riots, emphasizing demographic shifts marked by white flight and the rise of a predominantly Black and Latino population living in deteriorating conditions. It details the escalating conflict sparked by the arrest and alleged police beating of cab driver John Smith, which ignited violent confrontations fueled by deep mistrust of the police and ineffective political responses. Despite attempts by city officials to address grievances through symbolic appointments and community programs, these efforts failed to engage marginalized populations, culminating in widespread disorder and the deployment of state police and National Guard forces.

The chapter provides a detailed analysis of the demographic trends and residential segregation of the Negro population in the United States from 1950 to 1966, emphasizing significant population growth in metropolitan central cities, particularly in the South. It highlights the persistent racial segregation maintained through discriminatory housing practices and white flight, where white residents withdraw from or refuse to enter neighborhoods with growing Black populations, resulting in a 'massive racial transition' and sustained urban segregation. Statistical data underscores the concentration of Negro populations in segregated census tracts, illustrating the structural barriers to integration despite socioeconomic advancements.