The Tulsa Race Massacre as an interruption

The Kinsey Collection includes original photos of Tulsa, Oklahoma, documenting the thriving Black community before the 1921 race riot known as the Tulsa race massacre

Touré

Dec 2, 2024

The episode of “Masters of the Game” hosted by Toure, highlights how one Black couple works to prevent some of America’s darkest moments from repeating. Bernard and Shirley Kinsey are the founders and owners of The Kinsey Collection. It is one of the largest private collections of artifacts tracing African-American history. Through their vast art collection and dedication to historical preservation, they share stories of Black achievement and resilience, ensuring future generations can learn from the past and create a better future.

The Kinsey Collection includes original photos of Tulsa, Oklahoma, documenting the thriving Black community before the 1921 race riot known as the Tulsa race massacre or Black Wall Street massacre. The photos in the collection revealed the strength and vibrancy of the town, offering a powerful visual narrative of its history. In the early 1920’s, the Greenwood District had over 100 Black-owned businesses. The Kinseys were moved by these images and felt compelled to share them with the world, helping others understand the town’s true history. Bernard Kinsey referred to this work as an “open wound that we have to keep,” recognizing that while these images may be painful, they are an essential part of learning lessons of the past. The Tulsa Massacre was a two-day event where mobs of white supremacists performed an organized armed attack on African American residents and burned their businesses to the ground in the city’s Greenwood District.

Don’t miss a fascinating episode of “Masters of the Game,” now streaming on theGrio. After you watch this episode, you’ll want to check out their coffee table book, which provides additional information about their collection.