How the Tulsa Race Massacre Began | Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre | History

Summary

On Memorial Day, 1921, an incident between Dick Rowland, an African-American shoe shiner, and Sarah Page, a white elevator operator, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, escalated due to a sensationalized newspaper story. The false narrative of an attempted rape led to a mob forming outside the courthouse where Rowland was held. A group of armed African-American World War I veterans attempted to protect Rowland, but their presence enraged the mob. A confrontation led to gunfire, igniting the deadliest race massacre in American history.

Takeaways

• 📅 The incident took place on Memorial Day, May 30th, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• 👤 The main individuals involved were Dick Rowland, an African-American shoe shiner, and Sarah Page, a young white elevator operator.
• 🚪 An altercation occurred between Dick Rowland and Sarah Page inside an elevator, causing her to scream, which led to Dick's flight from the scene.
• 📰 The Tulsa Tribune published a sensationalized story accusing Dick Rowland of attempted rape, which incited a mob.
• 👮‍♂️ Dick Rowland was arrested and held in the Tulsa County courthouse, where a growing crowd demanded his release for lynching.
• 🔍 The African-American community, alerted to the potential lynching, decided to take action to protect Dick Rowland.
• 🤝 A group of armed African-American World War One veterans approached the courthouse to defend Dick Rowland, but were reassured by the sheriff and left.
• 🔥 The presence of the armed African-American men intensified the situation, leading white men to arm themselves and return in greater numbers.
• ⚔️ A confrontation between a white man and a black man escalated into a struggle over a gun, which led to shots being fired.
• 💥 The exchange of gunfire marked the beginning of the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history.

Q & A

What event is described as the deadliest race massacre in American history?

The event described is the Tulsa Race Massacre, which occurred in 1921.

Who were the two individuals involved in the incident that sparked the Tulsa Race Massacre?

The two individuals involved were Dick Rowland, an African-American shoe shiner, and Sarah Page, a young white elevator operator.

What happened between Dick Rowland and Sarah Page in the elevator?

The elevator jerked or lurched, causing Dick Rowland to bump into Sarah Page, who then screamed. The exact nature of the incident is not clear, but it led to her screaming and Dick Rowland running from the elevator.

How did the Tulsa Tribune's reporting contribute to the escalation of the situation?

The Tulsa Tribune published an incendiary story with a false narrative about an attempted rape, which used buzzwords and menacing images to evoke fear and anger, leading to a mob forming around the courthouse.

What was the initial response of the African-American community to the potential lynching of Dick Rowland?

The initial response was a meeting at the offices of the Tulsa Star, where community leaders debated the best course of action. They ultimately decided to go downtown armed to help defend Dick Rowland.

What was the reaction of the white mob when they saw the armed African-American veterans approaching the courthouse?

The white mob was electrified and angered by the sight of the armed African-American veterans, leading some members to run home to get their own guns and return with a larger, more aggressive crowd.

How did the confrontation between the white mob and the African-American men escalate into violence?

The violence escalated when a white man approached a black man holding a gun, attempted to take it away, and a struggle ensued, resulting in shots being fired.

What was the role of A.J. Smitherman, the editor of the Tulsa Star, in the events leading up to the massacre?

A.J. Smitherman was a civil rights advocate who recognized the call for lynching in the Tribune's story. He played a role in the debate about how to respond and was prepared to go downtown alone if necessary.

What was the final outcome of the confrontation at the courthouse steps?

The confrontation led to a series of shots being fired, which marked the beginning of the worst single incident of racial violence in American history, the Tulsa Race Massacre.

How did the situation evolve from a small altercation in an elevator to a full-scale massacre?

The situation evolved due to a combination of factors including sensationalist media reporting, racial tensions, and the armed confrontation between a white mob and African-American veterans, which ultimately led to a violent eruption.