Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A searing new work of nonfiction from award-winning author Brandy Colbert about the history and legacy of one of the most deadly and destructive acts of racial violence in American history: the Tulsa Race Massacre. Winner, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.
In the early morning of June 1, 1921, a white mob marched across the train tracks in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and into its predominantly Black Greenwood District--a thriving, affluent neighborhood known as America's Black Wall Street. They brought with them firearms, gasoline, and explosives.
In a few short hours, they'd razed thirty-five square blocks to the ground, leaving hundreds dead. The Tulsa Race Massacre is one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in US history. But how did it come to pass? What exactly happened? And why are the events unknown to so many of us today?
These are the questions that award-winning author Brandy Colbert seeks to answer in this unflinching nonfiction account of the Tulsa Race Massacre. In examining the tension that was brought to a boil by many factors--white resentment of Black economic and political advancement, the resurgence of white supremacist groups, the tone and perspective of the media, and more--a portrait is drawn of an event singular in its devastation, but not in its kind. It is part of a legacy of white violence that can be traced from our country's earliest days through Reconstruction, the Civil Rights movement in the mid-twentieth century, and the fight for justice and accountability Black Americans still face today.
The Tulsa Race Massacre has long failed to fit into the story Americans like to tell themselves about the history of their country. This book, ambitious and intimate in turn, explores the ways in which the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre is the story of America--and by showing us who we are, points to a way forward.
YALSA Honor Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses the Tulsa Race Massacre, describing it as an act of mass violence that resulted in the destruction of a thriving Black community. It provides context about the brutality and displacement experienced by Black residents. The book discusses the traumatic events of the Tulsa Race Massacre, which may be considered scary due to the violent nature of the historical account. It is described as a gripping account of a tragic event.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have violence?
The book addresses the Tulsa Race Massacre, describing it as an act of mass violence that resulted in the destruction of a thriving Black community. It provides context about the brutality and displacement experienced by Black residents.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have scary content?
The book discusses the traumatic events of the Tulsa Race Massacre, which may be considered scary due to the violent nature of the historical account. It is described as a gripping account of a tragic event.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have religious themes?
No religious content detected in the book's narrative. The focus is on historical events and racial violence rather than religious themes.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have racial/cultural content?
The book centers on the Tulsa Race Massacre, a significant event in American history that highlights racial violence and injustice against Black individuals. It explores the systemic issues leading to the massacre and its aftermath.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have profanity?
No profanity detected in the search results. The content is centered on historical and social issues without the use of strong language.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have climate change?
No climate themes detected in the search results. The narrative does not address environmental issues but rather focuses on historical racial violence.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have sexual identity?
No sexual content detected in the search results. The narrative focuses on historical events and their impact rather than sexual themes.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have gender roles?
No specific gender roles detected in the search results. The focus is on historical events and racial themes rather than gender dynamics.
Does Black Birds in the Sky The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes detected in the search results. The content primarily focuses on the historical events surrounding the Tulsa Race Massacre and its implications.
