Last Witness: Surviving the Tulsa Race Riot

On May 31, 1921, six-year-old Olivia Hooker was home with her family when a group of white men launched an attack on the Greenwood section of Tulsa, Oklahoma. In less than 24 hours, the mobs destroyed more than 1000 homes and businesses. It’s estimated as many as 300 people were killed. The Tulsa Race Riot is considered one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history. Olivia Hooker was the last surviving witness to the events of that day. Know someone who’d make a good Last Witness? Get in touch. You can find us on Twitter and Facebook @RadioDiaries. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices