rioters were believed to have been motivated by racial tensions but these are considered one of numerous factors. urban sociologist joel kotkin said, "this wasn't a race riot, it was a class riot." many ethnic groups participated in rioting, not only african americans. "newsweek" reported that "hispanics and even some whites; men, women and children mingled with african-americans." "when residents who lived near florence and normandie were asked why they believed riots had occurred in their neighborhoods, they responded of the perceived racist attitudes they had felt throughout their lifetime and empathized with the bitterness the rioters felt. residents who had respectable jobs, homes, and material items still felt like second class citizens. a poll by "newsweek" asked whether black people charged with crimes were treated more harshly or more leniently than other ethnicities; 75% of black people responded "more harshly", versus 46% of white people.