A century ago, in 1921, one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in the United States took place. White mobs, consisting of residents, soldiers and officers, terrorised the Greenwood area of Tulsa (often known as “Black Wall Street”). Black Wall Street was one of the most prosperous areas for Black residents, thriving economically and socially. It was one of the few towns in which Black Americans were given more opportunities and possibilities, despite living in a racially biased country.
This hate-driven rampage and violence against the Tulsan Black community began when 19-year old Dick Rowland went to one of the public bathrooms (which were only open to Black residents). It was reported that he accidentally startled a white woman on his way down, stepping on her foot, causing her to shriek. He was beaten and arrested by the local police in Tulsa. This incited an uproar of justice in the Black community. Black residents of the Tulsan community protested against this and were confronted by white residents. It was this event that caused white mobs to begin their attacks on the Greenwood community in Tulsa.
Homes, buildings, and businesses were burned down and looted, resulting in the destruction of 1,200 homes and buildings. The act of terrorism caused 100-300 deaths in the community with thousands being injured and displaced. Despite a large number of deaths, only 36 victims were officially listed.
A depicted image of the Greenwood area (“Black Wall Street”) after being terrorised and burned down by white mobs.
The attackers were never prosecuted for their actions, and no Tulsan Black survivors were compensated for their losses in the tragic events that occurred. Despite the irreversible trauma, the massacre was overlooked by the American government. It was one of the most disastrous racial terrorism attacks in US history, yet remained unacknowledged in history books in the following years. It was only recently that the horrific events were uncovered, as survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre disclosed the trauma they faced a century ago.
Viola Ford Fletcher was just 7 years old when she experienced the rampage that occurred in the Greenwood district of Tulsa. Now, at 107 years old, she still recalls the trauma deep-rooted in her town and the suffering her fellow Greenwood community experienced.
“I don’t have it as bad now as I did then, but it stays with me. You would think when I get older it would pass, but it doesn’t.” The memories of the destruction of the bustling, flourishing community of Black Wall St. still remain with her to this day. Many families of the victims of the massacre are still campaigning for racial justice and equality, as well as spreading awareness on the history of what happened. The history of racial bigotry is still ingrained in society, but there have been efforts to recognise the trauma many Black Tulsan Americans went through. A new multimedia museum has thought to be established to understand the tragic losses of the Black community in Tulsa, and many US representatives have observed the centenary of the massacre. Despite these recent bouts of remembrance, the victims of the 1921 event may never be fully compensated and given justice for what they went through.
Recognising the racial prejudice and violence in history and how it was covered up by government officials emphasises the need for racial justice. In 2016, Tulsan police Betty Shelby killed Terence Crutcher, an unarmed Black Tulsan man. She reported that she thought he was ‘reaching for his gun’, and shot him. Two years later, she began working in a neighbouring country as someone teaching other officers ‘how to survive these events’ while his family still suffers his loss. This was a harrowing reminder for many Black Tulsans of the racial discrimination and violence that was still present in America, even after many decades. This shows that there is racial-driven hate and prejudice still ingrained in society.
A few steps were recently taken, after a century, to understand the horrors of the Tulsa Race Massacre and the aftermath of the dreadful event. However, the country needs to fully acknowledge the blatant racial bias and violence behind the actions of this event. No amount of remembrance will bring back the lives and homes destroyed during the massacre, so we have to do what we can to combat current racial violence.