A race riot is any riot which occurs due to real or perceived inequality or oppression between members of different races. These riots are normally sparked by an isolated incident that is representative of a history of perceived abuses. A race riot can also be instigated by members of the more powerful racial group, typically when the historically weaker racial group moves towards equality.

A number of riots occurred in the United States during the 20th century due to issues of racial inequality, including the Atlanta Riots (1906), the Chicago Riots (1919), the Tulsa Riots (1921), two riots in Detroit (1943 and 1967), as well as riots in Watts (1965), Newark (1967), York (1969), and Los Angeles (1992).

See also

• Elaine Race Riot
• Tulsa Race Riot
• pogrom
• Red Summer of 1919
• East St. Louis, Illinois
• 12th Street Riot
• Watts Riot
• May 13th Incident
• 1992 Los Angeles riots
• 2001 Cincinnati Riots
• 2004 Australian Riots
• Springfield, Illinois