Starting in 1965, summer after summer, America's cities burned. There was civil unrest in more than 150 cities across the country. So in 1967, Lyndon Johnson appointed a commission to diagnose the root causes of the problem and to suggest solutions. What the so called "Kerner Commission" returned with was hotly anticipated and shocking to many Americans. This week, how that report and the reaction to it continues to shape American life.

If you would like to read more about the topic:

• Separate and Unequal: The Kerner Commission and the Unraveling of American Liberalism by Steven M. Gillon
• The long tie between police unions and police violence — and what to do about it by Aaron Bekemeyer (The Washington Post)
• The Kerner Report by The National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders
• Race & Inequality in America: The Kerner Commission at 50 conference

We love to hear from our listeners! Tweet at us @throughlineNPR, send us an email, or leave us a voicemail at (872) 588-8805.