The Tulsa Race Massacre is a pivotal moment in American history, representing the brutal racial violence that African Americans faced in the early 20th century. Originating from an incident where a Black man was accused of assaulting a white woman in an elevator, racially charged tensions reached a boiling point. A white mob gathered with the intent to lynch the accused, leading to a confrontation with Black residents defending their community. This confrontation escalated into widespread violence that left the affluent Black neighborhood of Greenwood devastated. Over 1,000 homes were destroyed, businesses were looted, and the community was left in ruins. The massacre led to an estimated 39 to over 300 Black fatalities, although the exact death toll remains uncertain due to inadequate records following the violence.

As the violence unfolded, white residents were joined by local law enforcement, compounding the impact of the attack. The National Guard eventually intervened but mostly controlled the aftermath rather than providing aid. In the following days, survivors faced significant barriers to recovery, including lack of insurance payouts, loss of property, and racial discrimination in the rebuilding efforts. The city government and media largely suppressed the events, leading to a prolonged silence around the massacre that lasted for decades, contributing to the narrative of erasure of Black history in America.