4.5

I read this zine over a few mornings, because reading about people inflicting harm -- torturing and killing -- upon others gives me nightmares, so imagine what it does to the victims, if they survive. During this time, I was also reading [b:Alligator and Other Stories|50386857|Alligator and Other Stories|Dima Alzayat|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588578372l/50386857._SX50_.jpg|75338845]. The latter’s title story overlapped in theme with this historical account, though the two are set in different states. For me that only emphasized the non-exclusivity of these atrocious events. It didn’t just happen here and there.

When I was almost finished reading this booklet, I saw the story of the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction saying this to a group in a public library, in regard to the 1921 Tulsa Black Massacre being taught: "Let's not tie it to the skin color and say that the skin color determined that." An online commenter said the man speaking could walk to a particular shelf in the building he was standing in and read that it was exactly about that. The books on that shelf are likely the same books the author of this zine lists as her resources. So, instead, the man could read this zine: short enough to hold his attention span, yet with plenty enough detail of the horrific acts perpetrated upon a Black community by a white one.

The author of this booklet is a Tulsan and her passion for the area comes through, especially in the preface titled “Content Note.” She loves her city, her state, and she wants them to be and do better. I can imagine what she must be thinking after hearing the man’s gaslighting. (He later said the media twisted two separate responses he gave to mean what he didn't mean.)

Definitely read about the Tulsa Race Massacre. But don't read this book.