The US Tulsa Race Massacre: A Historical Reckoning

The Department of Justice has published a ground-breaking 123-page document on the Tulsa Race Massacre, bringing new insight into one of the most tragic episodes in American history. This thorough review carried out under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, offers an in-depth analysis of the massacre and its catastrophic consequences.

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre stands as an exceptionally vicious civil rights violation, characterized by its scale, coordinated aggression, and the utter devastation of Greenwood, a thriving Black community. In the attack, white citizens of Tulsa killed hundreds of Black residents of Greenwood, set fire to homes and churches, plundered property, and imprisoned survivors in internment camps. For over a century, the Justice Department has stayed silent, never formally acknowledging or accounting for the appalling events.

This newly released document breaks that silence. It clarifies that the massacre was not a product of unorganized mob violence but was instead a planned and executed military-style attack on Greenwood. The report also unveils fresh revelations that deepen the understanding of this horrific event.

Even though more than 100 years have passed and there are no surviving perpetrators to prosecute, the document highlights the continued historical reckoning for the massacre. It acts as a powerful reminder of the entrenched racism and violence that shaped the nation’s past and still calls for accountability and justice.