BLACK WALL STREET; Tulsa's Dirty Little Secret

Summary

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a largely forgotten chapter of American history, is the focus of this powerful investigation. It reveals how a false accusation against a Black man led to the violent destruction of Greenwood, Tulsa's thriving Black community. The massacre, resulting in up to 300 deaths and 10,000 displaced Black residents, was long covered up by authorities. Survivors recount the horrors they faced, while modern-day efforts to uncover the truth and seek reparations continue. The video highlights the painful legacy of racial violence, the enduring impact of segregation, and the debate over how to address historical injustices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 remains one of the deadliest and most destructive race riots in American history, but it was largely forgotten and covered up for decades.
• 😀 The riot was sparked by a false accusation of assault against a Black man, which led to a violent mob of white Tulsans attacking the Black community of Greenwood.
• 😀 More than 35 square blocks of Greenwood, a prosperous Black district known as 'Black Wall Street,' were destroyed by looting, arson, and even aerial bombings.
• 😀 Over 10,000 Black residents were left homeless, and many survivors were denied insurance claims and financial compensation, while white claims were paid out.
• 😀 White authorities, including the National Guard, failed to intervene or protect the Black residents, and instead helped disarm Black citizens and arrest them.
• 😀 The official death toll reported by authorities was low, with 35 deaths, but historians now estimate that up to 300 people may have been killed.
• 😀 The city of Tulsa and the state's white leadership worked to bury the story, preventing any significant acknowledgment or reparations for the victims and survivors.
• 😀 Many of the survivors, including George Monroe, were children at the time of the riot and carry the trauma of that night with them to this day.
• 😀 Despite decades of denial, a state commission was formed to investigate the riot, and the truth about what happened is gradually being uncovered.
• 😀 There are ongoing debates about reparations for the survivors and their descendants, with some advocating for direct financial compensation, while others call for memorials or scholarships for descendants.
• 😀 Some lawmakers, like Bill Graves, oppose reparations, arguing that enough time has passed and that only memorials should be created to honor the victims of the riot.

Q & A

What was the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, and why was it significant?

The Tulsa Race Riot, also known as the Greenwood Massacre, occurred in June of 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is considered one of the most violent race riots in U.S. history. The Black community in Greenwood, once one of the most prosperous and vibrant Black communities in America, was attacked by white mobs. This violent destruction resulted in significant loss of life and property, with estimates of up to 300 deaths and thousands left homeless. The event was largely covered up for decades and remained little-known until recent investigations.

Why did the riot begin in 1921?

The riot began after a young Black man, Dick Rowland, was accused of assaulting a white woman, Sarah Page, in an elevator. Although the allegations were never proven, the accusation sparked outrage, and a white mob gathered, demanding the lynching of Rowland. Tensions escalated when Black veterans, who had served in World War I, attempted to defend him, leading to a violent confrontation that escalated into a full-scale riot.

How did the Black community in Greenwood react to the escalating tensions?

Members of the Greenwood community, many of whom were veterans of World War I, expressed great concern as they understood the gravity of the situation. A group of armed Black men went to the courthouse to offer assistance in protecting the prisoner. However, their offer was rejected, and tensions boiled over when a white man confronted one of the Black veterans, leading to a violent altercation that sparked the riot.

What role did the National Guard play in the riot?

The National Guard was deployed in Tulsa after the violence had already spiraled out of control. However, rather than working to protect Black residents or stop the rioters, they focused on arresting Black citizens and disarming them. The authorities were largely complicit, preventing Black residents from defending themselves while allowing white mobs to wreak havoc on the community.

What were the immediate consequences for the Black community in Greenwood after the riot?

The immediate consequences were devastating. Greenwood was virtually destroyed, with homes and businesses set on fire and looted. It is estimated that 10,000 Black residents were left homeless, and up to 300 people were killed, though many were buried in unmarked graves. The survivors had to rebuild their lives in makeshift tents and shacks.

What happened to the survivors of the riot in terms of justice and compensation?

In the aftermath, the survivors were left with little support. The city of Tulsa's white leaders rejected any financial aid for the Black community, instead passing ordinances to prevent the rebuilding of homes on burned property. Insurance claims filed by Black residents were also rejected, while white property claims were paid out. No charges were filed against the white rioters, and a grand jury indictment only targeted Black individuals.

How did the media and public officials respond to the Tulsa Race Riot at the time?

The media and public officials were largely dismissive of the scale of the riot and its impact on the Black community. The 'Tulsa Tribune' sensationalized the initial incident, contributing to the spread of misinformation and fueling the mob's actions. After the riot, the media downplayed the destruction, and city leaders worked to cover up the full extent of the violence, even going so far as to classify the deaths and burials of Black victims in a way that obscured the true number of casualties.

What is the current effort to address the historical injustice of the riot?

A state commission has been established to investigate the Tulsa Race Riot and examine the potential reparations owed to survivors and descendants of victims. This effort seeks to uncover the truth about what happened and confront the lasting legacies of racial inequality in Tulsa. The commission is considering reparations for survivors and scholarship opportunities for descendants of victims.

What is the position of those who oppose reparations or further acknowledgment of the riot's legacy?

Opponents, like State Representative Bill Graves, argue that the statute of limitations has expired on claims for reparations and that it is time to move on from the past. While some support the idea of a memorial, they feel that financial compensation is not justified. Graves believes that while the riot was tragic, there should be no monetary restitution for descendants of the victims.

How do survivors and descendants of the riot view the reparations debate?

Survivors and descendants, like Eddie Faye Gates, advocate for reparations, feeling that monetary compensation for survivors and educational scholarships for descendants would be an appropriate acknowledgment of the harm done. Many see reparations as a way to correct historical wrongs and provide some measure of justice for the immense loss and suffering experienced by the Black community in Greenwood.