Watchmen recreates the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in series premiere

Photo courtesy of HBO

The premiere of the HBO show opened with a confronting depiction of “one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history,” prompting viewers to learn more about the massacre which killed hundreds of people and left thousands homeless.

“For decades, few people in Tulsa spoke about the massacre, which began May 31, 1921, when a white mob descended on Greenwood, a prosperous business district often called Black Wall Street.”

The first 10 minutes of Watchmen is a flashback to the Tulsa Race Riots Massacre. During the Tulsa Race Massacre (also known as the Tulsa Race Riot), which occurred over 18 hours on May 31-June 1, 1921, a white mob attacked residents, homes and businesses in the predominantly black Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event remains one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history, and one of the least-known: News reports were largely squelched, despite the fact that hundreds of people were killed and thousands left homeless.

“We took it on with the most reverence and gravity everyone can.” Director Nicole Kassell stated about the first episode of Watchmen, according to Decider.

This season will be one for the books. Mark my words.

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