“Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street” distinguishes itself within the growing collection of documentaries commemorating the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by explicitly acknowledging the potent role of storytelling, particularly through cinema, in shaping the narrative of this historical tragedy and broader racial dynamics in the United States. The documentary’s title itself, “Dreamland,” references the movie theatre in Tulsa’s Greenwood district, a symbolic landmark reduced to ashes during the violent attack on the prosperous Black community within the segregated city. This same theatre gained popular recognition through its appearance in HBO’s “Watchmen” series (2019).
While “Dreamland’s” dramatizations may not possess the same fictional intensity as the superhero series, its creative use of limited animation offers a stylized and impactful way to reconstruct the harrowing events of the massacre. Furthermore, the documentary thoughtfully presents past video interviews with survivors, not merely as historical clips, but with contextual discussions about their creation and significance.
Examining Media and Historical Context
“Dreamland” effectively integrates media from the massacre era to provide a richer understanding of the events. This includes showcasing inflammatory articles from the city’s newspapers that fueled racial hatred, although it’s worth noting that, unlike the History Channel’s “Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre” (2021), “Dreamland” gives less attention to Greenwood’s own Black-owned newspaper. The documentary also astutely incorporates cinematic references, most notably D.W. Griffith’s infamous racist film, “The Birth of a Nation” (1915). It draws a direct parallel between the film’s central trope of Black men assaulting white women and the alleged elevator incident that served as the catalyst for the Tulsa massacre, highlighting the pervasive and dangerous stereotypes of the time.
The documentary also addresses the common tendency to attribute such tragedies solely to the Ku Klux Klan. While acknowledging the Klan’s presence, “Dreamland” emphasizes that racism was a far more widespread societal issue, extending beyond organized hate groups. It suggests that elements within the Tulsa police force and the white mob likely had Klan affiliations, but the problem was systemic and deeply rooted in societal prejudice.
Government Complicity and Long-Term Impact
While acknowledging that documentaries like those from the History Channel and PBS delve deeper into the culpability of Tulsa and Oklahoma authorities in the massacre, “Dreamland” does address the subsequent blaming of the African-American survivors and their unjust internment after being rendered homeless. The film vividly depicts the brutal reality of the white mob’s actions – gunning down Black residents, setting fire to homes and businesses, and even using airplanes to firebomb Greenwood over a sixteen-hour period during Memorial Day weekend. This graphic portrayal strongly implies the complicity, or at least the enabling inaction, of government, local police, fire services, and eventually, the National Guard. It becomes difficult to imagine such widespread destruction without a degree of official sanction or deliberate neglect.
“Dreamland” commendably explores the origins of Greenwood as a thriving Black community and its resilience in the aftermath of the massacre. It further examines the neighborhood’s ultimate demise through “urban renewal” projects later in the 20th century. These initiatives, often presented as progress, effectively displaced residents and demolished businesses, representing a second wave of destruction for Greenwood and its community. The documentary also critically analyzes newsreels and photographs from the period, exposing the inherent biases present in media representations of these events.
The Significance of “Black Wall Street Movies” Today
Ultimately, “Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street” contributes to a crucial and growing body of media attention focused on the Tulsa Race Massacre. These “Black Wall Street Movies,” as they are increasingly becoming known, are vital for raising public awareness, fostering historical understanding, and prompting crucial conversations about race, justice, and historical accountability in America. By using cinematic techniques to explore this painful past, “Dreamland” ensures the stories of Greenwood and the victims of the massacre are not forgotten and continue to resonate with contemporary audiences.
This documentary, alongside others, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of confronting difficult histories and utilizing storytelling to promote healing and progress. The ongoing attention to the Tulsa Race Massacre through film and documentaries marks a significant step towards acknowledging and learning from this dark chapter in American history.
