The Untold History of Black Mcres in the US: A Map of Tragedy

The image making waves on social media features an impactful tweet by @mixtapeminimus1, also known as "mixtapeminimusic," that states, "The reason Black History isn't taught in school is because they don't want us learning about these incidents." Below this thought-provoking message, a bold header reads "BLACK M****CRES," setting the tone for the content that follows.

A gray-toned map of the United States dominates the image, annotated with various locations and dates of historical events referred to as "black m****cres." Each point on the map marks a location where tragic, racially motivated violence occurred, often omitted from mainstream educational curricula. The background transitions from a vibrant yellow to a warm orange, symbolizing the intensity and importance of these historical events.

The map details significant events, including:

- Detroit, 1943

- New York, 1863

- Washington, 1919

- Philadelphia, 1985

- Wilmington, 1898

- Charleston, 2015

- Eufaula, 1874

- Camila, 1868

- Ocoee, 1920

- Rosewood, 1923

- St. Bernard Parish, 1868

- New Orleans, 1866

- Clinton, 1875

- Colfax, 1873

- Opelousas, 1868

- Thibodaux, 1887

- Slocum, 1910

- Vicksburg, 1874

- Memphis, 1866

- Elaine, 1919

- Tulsa, 1921

- East St. Louis, 1917

- Springfield, 1908

- Chicago, 1919

- Atlanta, 1906

The bottom-right corner of the image features a logo for "Decolonial Atlas," emphasizing the need to decolonize historical narratives and bring these forgotten stories to light.

Reacting to the image, many users shared their thoughts and feelings. One user noted, "I'm not saying it was Pinkertons. I'm just saying the Pinkertons did a lot of shady stuff," hinting at the involvement of notorious private security agencies in some of these tragic events. Another user emphasized, "Those are no incidents. Maybe on a match two teams fighting is an incident. Those are CRIMES, and racially motivated."

The conversation also touched on more recent events, with one commenter reminding the audience, "During BLM protest, a black man was found hanged from a tree...that was 2020." This highlights the ongoing nature of racial violence in the country.

In another comment, a user brought up the Philadelphia 1985 bombing, asking, "What happened in Philly in 1985?" This tragic event, where the city police bombed a residential neighborhood, killing 11 people and destroying 65 homes, is a stark reminder of the extent of racially motivated violence.

The tweet and map collectively serve to educate and remind everyone of the importance of acknowledging and teaching Black History comprehensively. As one user passionately advised, "💙VOTE YOUR ENTIRE BALLOT💙" and provided a detailed guide on registering and voting effectively, stressing the importance of civic engagement in combating systemic racism.

For those seeking more information, another user shared a valuable resource: "If you want a good but long video on the Tulsa m****cre in 1921, try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfVzbM3l7RQ."

The image and the reactions it generated form a compelling call to action, urging everyone to learn, remember, and act against the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Black communities in the United States.