When the Smoke Cleared: The 1968 Rebellions and the Unfinished Battle for Civil Rights in the Nation's Capital

by Kyla Sommers

Echoing James Forman Jr.’s Locking Up Our Own, a riveting story of race, civil rights, and rebellion in Washington, DC

In April 1968, following the murder of Martin Luther King Jr., a wave of uprisings swept across America. None was more visible—or resulted in more property damage, arrests, or federal troop involvement—than in Washington, DC, where thousands took to the streets in protest against racial inequality, looting and burning businesses in the process. The nation’s capital was shaken to its foundations.

When the Smoke Cleared tells the story of the Washingtonians who seized the moment to rebuild a more just society, one that would protect and foster Black political and economic power. A riveting account of activism, urban reimagination, and political transformation, Kyla Sommer’s revealing and deeply researched narrative is ultimately a tale of blowback, as the Nixon administration and its allies in Congress thwart the ambitions of DC’s reformers, opposing civil rights reforms and self-governance. And nationwide, conservative politicians used the specter of crime in the capital to roll back the civil rights movement and create the modern carceral state.

A vital chapter in the struggle for racial equality, When the Smoke Cleared is an account of open wounds, paths not taken, and their unforeseen consequences—revealed here in all of their contemporary significance.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

320 pages, Hardcover

Published April 23, 2023

Reviews

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enlightening and well written, this book is a great beginning to more fully understanding the path from the civil rights movement in the 60s to today’s civil rights situation. It’s also a great insight into DC and what established the city we know today. I had no idea that the metro was constructed as an alternative—effectively argued by activist groups—to plans for a city highway that would have cut through and affected a large part of DC’s Black population. I feel like that should’ve been common knowledge. I always just assumed we wanted a metro. The book also has a really great and necessary thesis about how the response to the 1968 rebellions over MLK’s assassination is not just the conservative law and order campaign. There was a real push through activism to rebuild DC centering Washingtonians, particularly those who were Black, and this is a sidelined narrative overall. It’s interesting to learn about after having been in DC through the protests in 2020.

My only complaint about this book is that it seems a bit incomplete. The end came abruptly and I think Sommers could’ve gone into more depth in many places. But this did start as a graduate thesis so maybe that couldn’t be helped.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a readable but in depth look at the riots that erupted in Washington DC after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr and their aftermath. We start with the background to the riots, including how DC is governed, the demographics of the city, and the feel of various neighborhoods.

Then the chaos of the riots themselves takes center stage. This is not merely violence and looting, with context and background given to the multiple incidents that begin or are averted to the development of a specific identity. But Sommers also includes the farcical element that comes with chaos, such as when the head of the army is driving around to find a payphone with a dial tone so he can say that yes, the president should call in the troops.

Then there is the immediate fallout - what happened to everyone who got arrested? People whose homes or businesses were destroyed? How were the events used to shape opposing views ("thugs" behaving badly? normal behavior under oppression? etc)

Sommers then tracks DC from the riots to now. Johnson's Great Society appears, fails in many many ways, mass incarceration,

I study and teach this period, but can honestly say that I learned so much with this one! I have already included excerpts for one group of students to cover. Her lively descriptions had students looking for maps of DC. This one created that student led learning that education is chasing after

[Izy Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written and researched... fuck the government fr ... leave dc alone!!!!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Despite my start and end dates, this was a pretty quick one. It reads a little like a dissertation, but is so full of colorful detail and first person narratives that it also reads like a newspaper article. A must-read for folks in DC.

[Patricia Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyla Sommers writes in such an exciting style of the events, political and historical context of the riots in Washington DC. I was so impressed with her documentation, references, index... BUT especially that she could tell factually of previous riots , guidelines established previously, and of the days unfolding after the assasination of Martin Luther King. Her writing style is reminiscent of a tv program of years ago "YOU ARE THERE". The dynamics of a time line of events left me anticipating what was next== although I was alive during those days. The actions of the police, the elements of peaceful vs. violent resolution after his death, political manipulations, racism, are so wonderfully threaded into the chaotic and feared violence of those days. The epilogue is perhaps the most important... the results, what happened in the political arena and what happened in the reality arena. Thanks Good Reads and Kyla Sommers for an especially great read.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about situations before the MLK assassination as well as after. The author provides insight from several sources while also providing proof that the black community was not only targeted prior to the riots but especially during the riots. The fairness in the justice system towards the black community is nonexistent, this book provides insight on the thought process of the racist agenda many tried to push during this time.

While reading this I noticed some of the same ideologies trying to be pushed then are trying to be pushed now in 2023 from racist politicians and it’s truly upsetting how I see us going back in time rather than trying to improve.

I could tell the amour of research the author put in this book and I really appreciate it. Definitely something everyone should read.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about the uprisings that occurred in D.C. following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The book discusses the policies and the unique way in which D.C. is governed that led up to the unrest during the uprisings. It also discusses how things were handled during the uprisings, and then what was done after to rebuild D.C. It does an excellent job telling how what happened during that time continues to affect D.C. and its Black community. Excellent book covering that time and I recommend it as a read to educate yourself on an important event in the country's history.

[James Arkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely changed my understanding of the 1968 riots and their aftermath, providing a valuable local perspective that is rarely taught. The parallels to recent history in DC are unfortunate but the lessons are valuable, and it’s an important read for anyone who lives in or cares about the District.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Placeholder of a review, but a terrific work of historianship and one that at long last gives the organizers of DC their fair due.

[Melissa Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. It delved into what happened in DC after the assassination of Dr and Reverend MLK Jr. It explained policy prescriptions and actions taken after riots and rebellion happened.