Black Wall Street Burning

I really wanted to like this movie after reading the other reviews. The acting is horrible. It was actually embarrassing to watch. People need to know this piece of history, but perhaps just read about it or watch a documentary. Don't waste time or money on this.

I was thinking of people who debate the merit of teaching Critical Race Theory as I watched this powerful film. The story of the Tulsa race massacre of 1921 is an example of why such teaching and films like this are so important. I went most my life without knowing about this massacre. It wasn't taught to me when I was young, and only came to know about it in recent years. This was a disturbing yet powerful retelling of that tragic event, that we're barely a century removed from. Everyone in the U. S. should be aware of this kind of history, and this movie is an excellent place to start. A very well done film.

As a definitive and atrocious part of America's history, this story is just as important and relevant now as it ever has been. Having said that, the best way to truly grasp the severity of the acts committed and gain a comprehensive idea of just how terrible it was, is to do your own research. Articles found online will provide you with a very detailed account of those horrendous days in Tulsa; an account that you will unfortunately not receive by viewing this film. Raising awareness and never letting these events be forgotten is important, but this film was just hard to watch...and not for the reasons I had expected. I understand the budget was almost non-existent, but come on! You can't bond with a character you forgot existed earlier in the film, let alone grieve if something happens to them. The tempo and overall story was a mess. It seemed like the entire crew got a chance at writing a chapter and there was no bad ideas! I'll digress because I am not here to personally attack those attached to this movie. The goal was to remind the world of one of the darkest parts of our history that was unfortunately very well covered up and I believe the film makers achieved this. However, as a movie, this was almost comedically unwatchable.

This film found a way to show so many people Tulsa's forgotten history. It shed light to a part of history that was meant to be erased, and now because of this film, we will never forget. It may not have had the glitz and glam of Hollywood, but it had hard work, passion, and commitment, which was evident in every scene.

Not a story we are very familair with over here in the UK but one very much worth discovering.

The whole piece feels particularly relevant given the state of politics today.

Highly recommended.