Back in April I wrote about the Baltimore riots and noted the long term impact riots have historically had on cities. At the time I wrote, “Within a few weeks the riots in Baltimore will subside and the country’s attention will shift to other problems. But the economic damage caused by the violence and looting will affect the community for decades to come.”
Most of us who weren’t directly affected have indeed moved on to other problems. But in the wake of the devastation, it is worth taking the time to consider the causes and consequences of rioting and whether they can be predicted or prevented in the future. As Jon Russo of Areavibes writes,
The misinformation that often accompanies rioting only makes these questions more difficult to answer. The rapid spread of information through social media can make prosecution and identification of offending parties easier, but can also intensify public debate and distort the truth. With rioting making more and more news across the United States, we decided to find some hard data on the subject. In this infographic, you’ll find the crimes that characterize typical riots, the impact on lives and property, and the boiling point that turned each incident into a national headline.
His infographic provides a useful overview of the riots in American in the past two decades:
Riots of the 21st Century is brought to you by the team at AreaVibes, a site that helps you find the best places to live.
