Education & Reference
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Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
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
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
Editorial Reviews
"Colbert writes confidently about the truth of American history that has been long omitted from textbooks and conversations, and presents a case for acknowledging lingering racist ideas, sentiments, and assumptions and for holding ourselves accountable to overturning the harm that racism has caused. Necessary reading for any student of history or for anyone trying to understand our present." - Booklist (starred review)
"This sophisticated volume makes clear that the destruction of Black property and lives in the Tulsa Race Massacre was not an isolated incident. The clear, readable prose supports a greater understanding both of how and why incidents like the one in Tulsa happened and their exclusion from curriculum and conversations about U.S. history. A compelling recounting that invites and encourages readers to grapple with difficult history." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Alternating between survivor quotes, a detailed background of Oklahoma and Black chattel slavery, and a stirring account of the disturbing 1921 events, Colbert displays an impeccable grasp of the history of segregated Black towns and communities, and the powder keg of hatred and prejudice that would eventually condemn it. Powerful." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"VERDICT: A must-have first purchase for all libraries; this text invites readers to engage with a difficult history that's essential in our understanding of today's world." - School Library Journal (starred review)
"Colbert paints a clear picture of how and why this racial massacre occurred and encourages all readers, regardless of age or race, to confront the difficult and often obscured history of racial violence in the United States." - Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"Black Birds in the Sky tells the truth about an event that every American should know about. It's a horrifying account told with great care." - BookPage
"Colbert extends her range with this excellent nonfiction book, a welcome contribution to the growing literature about this tragedy." - Horn Book Magazine
"This essential story will help you understand our country better--both where we've been and where we need to go." - Steve Sheinkin, author of ...
"This sophisticated volume makes clear that the destruction of Black property and lives in the Tulsa Race Massacre was not an isolated incident. The clear, readable prose supports a greater understanding both of how and why incidents like the one in Tulsa happened and their exclusion from curriculum and conversations about U.S. history. A compelling recounting that invites and encourages readers to grapple with difficult history." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Alternating between survivor quotes, a detailed background of Oklahoma and Black chattel slavery, and a stirring account of the disturbing 1921 events, Colbert displays an impeccable grasp of the history of segregated Black towns and communities, and the powder keg of hatred and prejudice that would eventually condemn it. Powerful." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"VERDICT: A must-have first purchase for all libraries; this text invites readers to engage with a difficult history that's essential in our understanding of today's world." - School Library Journal (starred review)
"Colbert paints a clear picture of how and why this racial massacre occurred and encourages all readers, regardless of age or race, to confront the difficult and often obscured history of racial violence in the United States." - Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"Black Birds in the Sky tells the truth about an event that every American should know about. It's a horrifying account told with great care." - BookPage
"Colbert extends her range with this excellent nonfiction book, a welcome contribution to the growing literature about this tragedy." - Horn Book Magazine
"This essential story will help you understand our country better--both where we've been and where we need to go." - Steve Sheinkin, author of ...
Readers Top Reviews
Amanda Shepard
Teen nonfiction isn’t a hugely popular genre, but there have been some real gems that have come out this year. This one included! I’ll admit, I didn’t know much about the Tulsa Race Massacre until I watched Watchmen on HBO, which starts out putting viewers in the middle of the riot. Not only is this a powerful way to start a show, but it brought to light an event that isn’t ever talked about in American history classes. What I liked about Colbert’s book is that she points out why. After this happened, no one talked about it. Silenced in all the newspapers, just swept away like it never happened. If that isn’t proof that history is rewritten in favor of those in power, I don’t know what is. It’s clear that Colbert did a lot of research to make this book accurate. However, the text is still engaging, reading a little like a narrative with facts and context sprinkled throughout. Not only does Colbert give us the history to what lead up to this event, but she also ties it into what’s been happening in the United States since then. These connections make history interesting, and teens who interested in historical nonfiction will definitely engage with this book. Honestly, this is a book that should be used in classrooms and libraries across the country. We need to talk about this history because otherwise we will never move past it. When this book comes out in October, definitely consider adding it to your classroom or school library!
Sacha
5 stars It's my hope that many folks immediately recognize this for what it obviously is: required reading. Whether you're like me and find Brandy Colbert's work to be consistently excellent or you are entirely new to this author, the source material is compelling and essential, and anyone who is drawn in by the synopsis will be more than pleased with what Colbert offers in this nonfiction effort. Colbert references the number of people who embarrassingly learned about the central focus from watching two HBO shows (and I'll never forgive you for canceling _Lovecraft Country_, HBO, so that's for another day), and I will admit that I am one of those folks. It was largely my horror over not previously knowing this info that drew me - in part - to wanting to read this book: that and my ongoing aforementioned fangirling over Brandy Colbert. I was not disappointed. Here, Colbert provides an age appropriate look at a number of events, context, and social and geographical relationships encompassing the Tulsa Race Massacre. My own experience - and Colbert's affirmation that I'm in good company - leads me to think that this is yet another example of utter cultural erasure and that this book will provide essential missing information to readers of any age. Readers will find this work challenging based on the horrifying facts but also educational, and they will also come out of the experience feeling grateful to know (or to know more). Colbert continues to be an absolute favorite, and this is a great expansion of an already noteworthy list of YA and middle grade contributions. I highly recommend this for folks who are interested in knowing more about the subject and generally being better informed about reality.
Hailee Tyynismaa
I had a friend of mine recommend this book to me and wow. This book is incredible. It is extremely well written, and so informative. I had no idea that these events in history took place.. I hope that this book reaches many hands and many hearts. Bravo to Colbert!
