By Aidan Dillow, B.A. ‘26, History
Shiloh Connor, B.S. ‘26, Biology
During a recent D.C. Mondays talk, Kyla Sommers, a George Washington University alumna, discussed her new book When the Smoke Cleared: The 1968 Rebellions and the Unfinished Battle for Civil Rights in the Nation’s Capital (The News Press, 2023). Dr. Sommers provided a detailed overview of the impact that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination had in Washington, D.C. The assassination triggered riots that resulted in property damage, but also reform that captured national attention.
Dr. King, a monumental civil rights activist, was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Outraged and hurt, people in cities across the nation took to the streets — including Black Washingtonians. More than 500 fires reportedly broke out across D.C., with 14th and 17th Streets suffering the most damage. In an immediate effort to restore order, Mayor-Commissioner Walter Washington and President Lyndon B. Johnson dispatched nearly 15,000 federal troops and the National Guard. Roughly $33 million in damages resulted, or $250 million today (adjusted for inflation).
Dr. Sommers emphasized how the rebellions marked a significant shift in the city’s history, with residents referring to it as a watershed moment. Many Black Washingtonians wanted change, but some remained skeptical, largely because D.C. lacked home rule.
The city’s reconstruction process heavily emphasized community involvement, and the newly formed Council of the District of Columbia held a series of hearings. Some 100 D.C. residents spoke at these sessions, representing a range of interests. Among them were Reginald Booker and Marion Barry, advocates for public control of restoration work. Barry would go on to become D.C.’s mayor in 1979. Since most residents were Black (around 70 percent at the time), the hearings focused on Black economic development, which included a significant push to encourage and support the use of Black development firms.
After the 1968 uprising, a platform for Black voices in D.C. to express their frustrations and goals was essential. The hearings did more than just acknowledge residents’ presence; they represented a fundamental shift in the reconstruction efforts toward equity and inclusivity. By aggressively seeking local opinions and concerns, decision-makers recognized the systemic inequities that had long disenfranchised the Black community. In addition to empowering the community, this openness promoted a sense of ownership and investment in the reconstruction effort. The moment deepened residents’ understanding of the challenges faced by the Black community and facilitated the implementation of solutions tailored to their specific needs — at first.
Changing presidential administrations has long affected local politics in D.C. Dr. Sommers highlighted community empowerment and involvement in the city’s reconstruction efforts after 1968, from productive planning to disagreements that slowed progress. She also noted the effects of President Richard Nixon’s support of private businesses and tough-on-crime politics in D.C. Nixon’s policies ultimately took control away from local developers and community leaders, often resulting in unaffordable housing or unfinished reconstruction sites throughout the city. Dr. Sommers’ work highlights how crucial participatory decision-making is for promoting just and sustainable urban development. You can watch a video of this D.C. Monday program below and browse upcoming talks on the museum website.
This post was written by students in Professor Jessica McCaughey’s COMM 3190 class at George Washington University.
About the Authors
Aidan Dillow is an undergraduate at GW studying history and American studies.
Shiloh Connor is an undergraduate at GW majoring in biology and an active member of the GW Pre-Dental Society.
Header image: Warren K. Leffler, Rebuilding D.C. after the 1968 uprising. 1968. U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.