Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer

Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer (2021) is a landmark documentary that delves deep into the heart of history to uncover a little-known yet pivotal event that marked an era of extreme racial tension in the United States. Neen L. Brown, the famed Washington Post journalist, spearheads this exploration of America's past, laboring to unearth the startling truths hidden for decades. Brown is the backbone of the narrative, guiding the audience through the daunting maze of past events, alongside other vital participants such as G.T. Bynum, the current mayor of Tulsa, and John W. Franklin, historian, cultural specialist, and son of world-renowned historian and author, John Hope Franklin.

The documentary is set against the backdrop of the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 - a massively destructive racial attack on the Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States, remembered as one of the country's worst incidents of racial violence. It's a notable memento of the Red Summer of 1919, referenced in the title, which denotes the period marked by dozens of race riots across America. The massacre, which took place in the Greenwood District - often dubbed the "Black Wall Street" given its prosperity, decimated the neighborhood and rendered countless African Americans destitute and traumatized.

This poignant film is directed by the accomplished Dawn Porter, an essential name in the world of documentary filmmaking, well-known for her ability to tackle complex topics with grace and deliberation. Her penchant for driving home raw facts, emphasizing reality, emphasizing the complex human face of history, is evident in this film. Porter's skillful directorial touch guides the audience through the dark paths of history, prompting them to question and rethink widely accepted narratives.

In Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer, the magnitude of the racial violence, the extent of the destruction, and the trauma experienced by the victims are not muted for the viewer's comfort. Rather, it is explicitly highlighted, forcing the audience to confront these uncomfortable truths. Underneath, the film subtly hints at the systemic racism embedded within the fabric of the American society, which contributed to such violence and still continues to shape the socio-political landscape of the United States.

The documentary is commendable not just for spotlighting this tragic event, but also for its commitment to bring forth the stories of the individuals impacted by this calamity. The narrators of the film, Brown, Bynum, and Franklin, reinforce humanity's shared history, reminding us of the resilience and endurance of these individuals in the face of unimaginable horror. This focus on individual stories helps humanize the historical events, bridging the gap between the past and the present, and making the narrative more relatable to the viewer.

Brown's journalistic prowess is evident throughout the movie. Her astute analysis, combined with her nuanced understanding of the subject, adds essence to the narrative. She gracefully transforms potentially alienating historical facts into engaging storytelling, providing perspective without overshadowing the survivors' accounts. She is truly the lifeblood of the narrative.

However, the film doesn't confine itself to the past. It seamlessly integrates the gravity of Tulsa's massacre with the contemporary state of racial inequality, systemic racism, and wealth gap. This connection between the past and the present is effectively forged, offering the viewer a comprehensive understanding of American racial history and its ongoing challenges.

To preserve authenticity, Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer employs a meshing of old photographs, survivor testimonials, archival footage, animated recreations, and expert commentaries. The layered storytelling offers a richer depth, combing first-person narratives with hard historical facts and making the events more tangible for the viewers.

All in all, Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer is an engaging history lesson interspersed with personal accounts, thoughtful commentary, and deftly assembled archival materials. It's a journey of discovery that exposes the harsh realities of the past while emphasizing the resilience of the community, thereby continuing the vital conversation about race in America. It's a must-watch for anyone seeking a nuanced understanding of American history through the trials and tribulations that have defined the socio-political and racial landscape of the nation. Prepare to meet history and explore one of the most significant, yet largely overlooked chapters in American history.