The Kerner Commission Report: A Detroit Perspective

The 1968 Kerner Commission Report, formally titled "Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders," was created following the 1967 Detroit uprising and other urban rebellions across America. While over half a century old, this landmark document speaks directly to contemporary challenges facing our city.

The report famously warned that "Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal." Its unflinching examination of systemic racism, police-community tensions, housing discrimination, and economic inequality in Detroit provides crucial context for understanding the structural issues that continue to shape our city today.

We encourage you to examine this historical document alongside our contemporary investigations to see the through-lines of systemic failure that connect past and present—and to understand why addressing root causes rather than symptoms remains essential for Detroit's future.

The complete report is available below: