Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten

Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten is a gripping and thought-provoking historical documentary from 2021, exploring the devastating racial atrocity of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, its consequences, and the pursuit of truth and justice in its wake. The film is a stunning testament to the power of memory and the ever-resurfacing struggle against racial violence and systemic racism in the United States. The movie features among its stars journalist Michel Martin, historian Robert R.A. Turner, and reporter DeNeen L. Brown.

The film begins its poignant journey by taking viewers back to a thriving African American community of the early 20th century, specifically Greenwood, Tulsa, known then as "Black Wall Street". Using vivid archival footage and chilling narrative, the documentary shines a painful light on one of the darkest moments in American history, when a prosperous African-American community was razed to the ground over the course of 18 gruesome hours. The massacre, which took place during the Memorial Day weekend of 1921, saw the decimation of the district, ending lives, erasing wealth, and causing untold trauma that continues to reverberate to this day.

Michel Martin, a prominent journalist known for her NPR show, lends her voice to this stirring narrative. She takes audiences through the horrifying landscape of the massacre, showcasing the racial tensions and the circumstances leading up to the tragic incident. Her immersive narration breathes life into nearly forgotten stories, delivering a sense of reality that's both horrific and hauntingly poignant.

DeNeen L. Brown, a reporter for The Washington Post who has extensively covered the Tulsa Race Massacre, provides a wealth of insight into the subsequent impacts and the ongoing investigation into the event. Brown’s investigative reporting skills offer a closer look at the struggle for justice and reparations for the victims and their descendants. As she delves deeper into the present-day consequences from a journalistic perspective, the film reveals the systemic racism that has perpetuated inequality for Black Americans.

Robert R.A. Turner, a historian and current pastor at the Historic Vernon A.M.E. Church, offers a perspicuous examination of the historical context and the enduring legacy of the tragedy. His scholarly perspective roots the circumstances of the massacre within broader frameworks of race relations, economic disparity, and racially-targeted violence in America.

The film is a formidable exploration of collective memory, or lack thereof, interrogating the erasure of this tragic event from public consciousness and the long-overdue process of reckoning with the past. It uncovers the largely hidden history of the massacre and its impact on the Black community, echoing the movement across the nation to unbury uncomfortable aspects of American history.

Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten also explores the contemporary efforts to commemorate the massacre's 100th anniversary, bringing to light the fight for justice, acknowledgement, and reconciliation waged by survivors' descendants. These conversations illuminate the ways in which traumatic history continues to shape the contemporary landscape of racial and social inequality, demand acknowledgment, and push for redress.

On another level, the documentary emphasizes the urgent need for reconciliation and healing. It depicts the tireless efforts made by several community members and activists, driven by a search for truth and an imperative to remember, against the backdrop of a nation confronting its racial past.

In a time of heightened national introspection and dialogue about racial justice, this documentary offers an essential context and historical background. It elucidates the discussion about racial reconciliation and serves as a reminder of the need for visibility, truth-telling, and accountability in the continuous struggle against systemic racism.

In essence, Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten is a powerful, unflinching documentary that delves into the heart of a dark, largely ignored period in American history. The film stands as an unwavering testament to the resilience of a community, the urgency of historical truth, and the collective need for justice and reconciliation. Both heartrending and educational, it reinforces the importance of confronting and acknowledging our shared history, no matter how uncomfortable, and the value of memory in shaping a more equitable future.