Episode 1: The Past Is Present

This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence and racially offensive language. On May 31, 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood District was a thriving Black residential and business community — a city within a city. By June 1, a white mob, with the support of law enforcement, had reduced it to ashes. And yet the truth about the attack remained a secret to many for nearly a century.Chief Egunwale Amusan grew up in Tulsa — his grandfather survived the attack — and he’s dedicated his life to sharing the hidden history of what many called “ Black Wall Street .” But Dr. Tiffany Crutcher , also a descendant of a survivor, didn’t learn about her family history or the massacre until she was an adult. Together, they’re trying to correct the historical record. As Greenwood struggles with the effects of white supremacy 100 years later, people there are asking: in this pivotal moment in American history, is it possible to break the cycle of white impunity and Black oppression?

You can listen to Episode 1: The Past Is Present online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Episode 1: The Past Is Present is an episode from Blindspot by The HISTORY® Channel and WNYC Studios.

This episode is 00:35:05 long.

This episode was published on May 28, 2021.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Blindspot when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.