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Black American History Special

The ruling on racial desegregation in schools, four girls killed in the racist bombing of a church and we hear from Rodney King whose attack by police sparked riots.

Eyewitness accounts of important moments in recent African American history. We hear from the daughter of the man named in the court case which became a turning point in the battle for civil rights, plus the sister of a teenage girl killed in a racist bomb attack. We hear how the winning performance of an all-black basketball team helped change America's attitude to segregation in sport. Plus Rodney King whose attack by police in 1991 was caught on camera and seen by millions - the later acquittal of the officers sparked days of rioting. Finally we hear from Bilal Chatman who was sentenced to 150 years in prison under the 1994 'three strikes law' which disproportionately affected black Americans. Putting it all into context, presenter Max Pearson talks to Professor Gloria Browne-Marshall of John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Available now

53 minutes

Last on

Mon 15 Jun 2020 23:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 13 Jun 2020 14:06GMT
  • Sun 14 Jun 2020 14:06GMT
  • Mon 15 Jun 2020 23:06GMT

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