Riot or Massacre? Reclaiming the History of Colfax, 1873

Civics & Coffee

For over a century, the Colfax Massacre was inaccurately labeled a “race riot.” But in reality, it stands as one of the deadliest instances of racial and political violence during the Reconstruction Era. Join me this episode as I uncover what happened in Colfax, Louisiana in 1873 including why Black citizens were targeted for defending their newly won rights and how the legal aftermath shaped the limits of federal civil rights enforcement for decades to come.

Grab your coffee and get ready to revisit the facts, challenge the myths, and explore what this event reveals about the way history is remembered—and forgotten.