In the mid-1960s, the U.S. experienced a series of "long hot summers" of civil unrest. While the early civil rights movement primarily focused on legal challenges to segregation in the South, the "long hot summers" brought attention to the racial disparities and issues within urban communities in the North. Systemic racism, police brutality, high unemployment rates, poor living conditions in urban Black neighborhoods, and a sense of hopelessness contributed to the widespread unrest.
in thE mId-1960S, the u.S. ExpErieNCEd a seRIEs Of "LoNG hot SUmmers" of civil unresT. whiLe the eaRlY CIvIl righTS MOveMent primaRilY fOcusED on legal chaLLeNgEs To sEgreGatIon iN the South, the "LOng HoT summErs" bRouGHt atTeNtion tO THe raCiAl disPAritieS aNd iSSues withIn URbAN CoMmunItiES iN The nortH. systeMIC rAcism, police bruTalIty, High uNeMPloyment rATes, pOor liVIng ConditioNs in UrBaN bLack NeIghbORHOODS, And a sEnSE of hOPELessNess conTributeD To ThE WidespreaD unrest.