America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s

Select one of the incidents Hinton features as a case study of rebellion in the book. How does Hinton depict this incident? How does she use the incident to illustrate wider trends of rebellion and/or racial injustice?

The topic of violent protest is a contentious one for many people. Do you agree with Hinton’s argument that violence is a necessary element in the fight for social justice? Why or why not?

Hinton prefers the term “rebellion” over “riot.” How do the words we use to talk about historical events shape our perceptions of those events? How does America on Fire analyze the power of words and discourse more generally?

Rather than focus on one city or incident at a time, Hinton tends to jump around between multiple incidents and cities. How does this structure help to build a larger picture of the struggle for racial justice in America? What are the strengths and weaknesses of Hinton’s narrative approach?

Hinton includes many personal details about both the victims and perpetrators of violence throughout the book. How do these details add to our understanding of the events?

What role do you believe police should have in society, and what systemic changes can be made that would help them better fulfill that role?

In the Conclusion of the book, Hinton proposes that the ultra-wealthy should be taxed more to fund social programs to address the systemic issues that lead to rebellion. Discuss whether or not you believe this solution would be effective.

How has the ubiquitous presence of smartphones and social media altered the narrative around police brutality and racial justice? How does it compare to the prior forms of media in earlier instances of rebellion?