The Tulsa Massacre of 1921 - Charles River Editors - A Short Summary & Review
The Tulsa Massacre of 1921 - Charles River Editors - A Short Summary & Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
A short summary:
The Tulsa Massacre of 1921 provides a concise overview of the events surrounding one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in United States history.
The book outlines the destruction of the Greenwood District of Tulsa, often referred to as “Black Wall Street,” in late May and early June of 1921. It traces the social tensions, racial hostility, and inflammatory reporting that culminated in a white mob attacking the prosperous Black community, resulting in widespread death, displacement, and destruction of homes and businesses.
While brief, the book situates the massacre within its historical context, emphasizing both the scale of the violence and the long period of silence and denial that followed. It serves as a factual starting point for understanding an event that was deliberately omitted from public memory for decades.
An eyewitness quote:
Questions to ponder while reading:
My review:
This book functions as a clear, basic overview of a horrific chapter in Tulsa’s history.
As a quick reference guide, it effectively outlines the major events and consequences without overwhelming the reader. The straightforward presentation makes it accessible to those encountering the subject for the first time, while still underscoring the gravity of what occurred.
The brevity of the book also highlights the limits of overview texts. While it does not replace deeper, more comprehensive studies, it effectively establishes the foundational facts and emphasizes why the massacre must be remembered and confronted.
This is difficult material, but essential reading. Understanding the Tulsa Massacre is a necessary step toward reckoning with the broader history of racial violence and historical erasure in the United States.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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