NOVA MCGILL
Contributor
The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred in late May and early June of 1921. It was one of the worst outbreaks of racial violence in American history. In the affluent African American community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a sequence of events led to a deadly confrontation that produced massive death and destruction. The main reasons for the Massacre, the immediate effect it had on the community, as well as its long-lasting effect on race relations in America will be outlined.
The Tulsa Race Massacre started due to racial tensions fueled by economic inequality. The Greenwood District was flourishing and was also known as “Black Wall Street” because of its successful businesses and wealthy residents. But this success bred jealousy and resentment within the white population. One incident between a young Black man named Dick Rowland and a white woman named Sarah Page further inflamed tensions, when Rowland was accused of assaulting Page, causing an outcry from both groups. It escalated further when a group of Black residents organized to defend Rowland against lynching by a mob of angry whites.
Rumors began on May 31, 1921, and violence erupted soon after. White individuals arrived in Greenwood armed with guns and inflicting extensive damage across the neighborhood. Homes were burned, businesses were looted or destroyed, and numerous lives were lost— with estimates of up to 300 African Americans may have perished during this tragic incident. The consequences of the Massacre had a lasting impact on both its survivors and those of subsequent generations. The destruction left thousands of people homeless, and the local governments did nothing to help or punish the attackers.
The event was mostly left out of history for decades because of racism and the inability of society to comprehend how atrocious it was. The silence caused ongoing pain within the Black community and also stalled meaningful national discourse about race relations within the United States. The Tulsa Race Massacre is an important part of America’s complicated history with race. If people can understand what caused this event and what happened because of it, they can help old wounds heal and speak about justice for race today. It is important to remember events like these not just so the victims are remembered, but also so that injustices like these never happen again.
Photo by Alvin C. Krupnick Co.
