McCone Commission

McCone Commission

The McCone Commission, officially known as the California Governor's Commission on the Los Angeles Riots, was established in 1965 to investigate the Watts riots, a series of violent disturbances that took place in Los Angeles in August 1965. The commission was chaired by John McCone, a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and was tasked with determining the causes of the riots and making recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The McCone Commission played a significant role in the US Civil Rights Movement, as it highlighted the deep-seated social and economic issues that contributed to the riots, including racism, poverty, and police brutality.

● Introduction to

the McCone Commission The McCone Commission was established by California Governor Edmund Brown in response to the Watts riots, which resulted in the deaths of 34 people, over 1,000 injuries, and widespread property damage. The commission was composed of 11 members, including John McCone, Asa Call, and Robert Condon, and was given a broad mandate to investigate the causes of the riots and make recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The commission's work was informed by the research and findings of scholars such as Sociologist Robert Blauner and Psychologist Kenneth Clark, who had studied the social and economic conditions of African American communities in Los Angeles. The commission's report was widely anticipated, as it was seen as an opportunity to address the underlying issues that had contributed to the riots, including housing segregation, employment discrimination, and police misconduct.

● Background and Establishment

The McCone Commission was established in the context of the US Civil Rights Movement, which was gaining momentum in the mid-1960s. The movement, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, was seeking to address the systemic inequalities and injustices faced by African Americans in the United States. The Watts riots were a major catalyst for the establishment of the McCone Commission, as they highlighted the deep-seated social and economic issues that were contributing to the unrest. The commission's establishment was also influenced by the work of organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which were advocating for civil rights and social justice. The commission's members were drawn from a range of backgrounds, including law, academia, and community leadership, and included individuals such as Judge Earl Warren and Reverend H. H. Brookins.

● Investigation and Findings

The McCone Commission conducted an extensive investigation into the causes of the Watts riots, gathering evidence from a range of sources, including witnesses, documents, and statistical data. The commission's report, which was released in December 1965, identified a range of factors that had contributed to the riots, including poverty, unemployment, housing segregation, and police brutality. The report also highlighted the role of racism and discrimination in perpetuating these conditions, and made a series of recommendations to address these issues, including the establishment of programs to promote job training and education, and the implementation of reforms to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The commission's findings were informed by the research of scholars such as Sociologist E. Franklin Frazier and Economist Gunnar Myrdal, who had studied the social and economic conditions of African American communities.

● Role

in the US Civil Rights Movement The McCone Commission played a significant role in the US Civil Rights Movement, as it highlighted the deep-seated social and economic issues that were contributing to the unrest in Los Angeles. The commission's report was widely publicized, and its findings were used by civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks to advocate for policy changes and social justice. The commission's work also influenced the development of programs such as the Great Society initiative, which was launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 to address issues of poverty and inequality. The commission's findings were also cited in the Kerner Commission report, which was released in 1968 and examined the causes of urban unrest in the United States. The McCone Commission's work was also influenced by the research and activism of organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).

● Recommendations and Impact

The McCone Commission made a series of recommendations to address the social and economic issues that had contributed to the Watts riots, including the establishment of programs to promote job training and education, and the implementation of reforms to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The commission's recommendations were influential in shaping policy responses to urban unrest in the United States, and were cited in the development of programs such as the Model Cities Program and the Community Action Program. The commission's work also influenced the development of community policing initiatives, which aimed to improve relationships between law enforcement and local communities. The commission's findings and recommendations were also used by scholars such as Criminologist Alfred Blumstein and Sociologist James Q. Wilson to inform their research on crime and justice.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The McCone Commission's report was subject to criticism and controversy, with some arguing that it did not go far enough in addressing the underlying issues that had contributed to the Watts riots. Others argued that the commission's recommendations were too focused on law and order and did not adequately address the social and economic issues that were driving the unrest. The commission's work was also criticized by some civil rights leaders, who argued that it was too focused on reform and did not adequately address the need for more fundamental change. The commission's findings and recommendations were also subject to criticism from scholars such as Sociologist Herbert Gans and Economist John Kenneth Galbraith, who argued that they did not adequately address the root causes of poverty and inequality.

● Legacy and Historical Significance

The McCone Commission's report had a significant impact on the development of policy responses to urban unrest in the United States, and its findings and recommendations continue to be cited by scholars and policymakers today. The commission's work also influenced the development of community policing initiatives and job training programs, and its findings on the role of racism and discrimination in perpetuating social and economic inequality remain relevant to contemporary debates on social justice. The commission's legacy is also reflected in the work of organizations such as the NAACP and the SCLC, which continue to advocate for civil rights and social justice. The commission's report is also studied by scholars of the US Civil Rights Movement, including Historian Taylor Branch and Sociologist Aldon Morris, who have written extensively on the movement's history and legacy.