I like sci-fi shows and I love Regina King. So when I found out Regina King was playing a a crime fighting badass superhero in Watchmen, I made sure to tune in.
What is important is the first episode opened the nation’s eyes to the Tulsa Race Riot. For those who are still unaware, here’s a brief overview. From May 31, 1921 until June 1, 1921, a town in Tulsa, Oklahoma was burned down by white terrorists.
Also referred to as Black Wall Street, it was home to hundreds of black businesses that stretched for blocks. Along with businesses, this is where people lived and built their families. Homes and businesses were burned to the ground as a result of false accusations made against a young black man, Dick Rowland.
After the smoke cleared and ashes fell, three hundred people were killed and the National Guard arrested Black Tulsans.
The next day, the Tulsa officials worked eagerly to cover-up what transpired. The Tulsa Tribune removed the front page article that sparked the riot from all of their publication; police and state militia archives were later discovered missing from records.
This is a significant event in US history and a turning point for Black people in Oklahoma. Black people came together and were able to build their own wealth when the rest of America outcasted them.
In the end, everything they put their blood, sweat, and tears into was gone in an instant.
There wasn’t a ceremony or any acknowledgements to those who lost their lives. The business owners weren’t compensated for their business. The entire riot was swept under the rug and to be forgotten forever, until now.
CNN reported Oklahoma will create a framework around the massacre for students in elementary through high school.
State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, a former student of the Oklahoma school systems, stated, “This is our history and we should know it.” She mentions that she never learned about this event until she started teaching.
The traction the race riot is getting is warranted, but I have a problem with a fictional show being the reason this event is getting any traction.
I’m thankful to the writers of Watchmen for including the race riot in their show. The riot deserves all of the attention it’s received, but it should’ve been done.
Officials were allowed to ignore three hundred deaths for almost a century and the amount of people that are still unaware of such a momentous tragedy really upsets me.
I can’t say I’m surprised, but I am disappointed. I’m hurting for those who lost their lives in such a tragic incident only to be ignored because officials knew they were wrong, but they didn’t care enough about Black lives to stop the death toll from climbing.