May 18 is election day in 1889, in muggy Forrest City, Arkansas — a city named after the first Grand Wizard of the KKK. Many white people are concerned about the number of Black people who already hold government positions, and fear a majority Black school board. At one polling place, a fight breaks out between a Black and a white member of the school board. The fight turns into a city-wide riot, with white mobs hunting Black candidates and chasing them out of town. At least four people are killed, including the Black school board member, who is found hiding under floorboards and shot. Only white people win elections on this day.

Over the next decade, poll taxes and white primaries will formally disenfranchise Black voters.

By 2026, the city is more than 70% Black, and has had 3 Black mayors.