The recent outbreak of riots that spread from London to cities across England may not have been race riots in the traditional sense of the term, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that race discourse has still played a prominent role as people try to figure out exactly what happened. Contrary to arguments made in both England and the United States claiming we exist in a postracial era, various conversations concerning the cause of the riots point to the ongoing significance of race as a social division. For the United States, in particular, as we rapidly become a more racially and ethnically diverse country, the discourse over the riots may hold lessons. Specifically, it suggests that similar economic frustration could lead to class conflict that could also scapegoat communities of color. In response, we need voices who rise above these divisions and argue for our collective prosperity.