In 1921 Tulsa's Greenwood District, known then as the nation's "Black Wall Street," was one of the most prosperous African American communities in the United States. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Another postcard showed the burning of an unidentified Black man in Durant, and was captioned Coon Cooking. In 1917, 17 white members of the International Workers of the World were flogged, tarred, feathered, and turned loose on the prairie by Knights of Liberty dressed in black robes and masks. Here I am, said Jackson. eng. When Greenwood residents learned of the impending lynch mob, a group of mostly Black men, which included World War I veterans, armed themselves and went to the courthouse to protect Rowland. OHS-215 - Case Dockets #23347-23416, 1921. African Americans had been around Oklahoma for a long time. Only in 2020, 99 years after the fact, did the Greenwood massacre become part of the Oklahoma school curriculum! Those indictments were largely dismissed or not pursued, according to the Human Rights Watch report. The 1921 Attack on Greenwood was one of the most significant events in Tulsa's history. The Williams Building, no.2 on Greenwood Ave., site of the Dreamland Theater, June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Okla. Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa. Zola Faye Sells (H1982.052) . Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Late in the battle as gunfire was sporadic, Jackson walked back to his home, after attending to victims, with his hands up. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It should teach us to Look Up, Lift Up and Lend a Helping Hand, and remember that we cannot rise higher than our weakest brother. It will air in May 2021, on the centennial of what's known as one of the worst incidents in American history of racial violence against Black people. Fire was a primary weapon of the Tulsa Massacre. Zion Baptist Churchs bell tower until the church was engulfed in flames. Karlos K. Hill is Associate Professor of African and African American History at the University of Oklahoma and the author of Beyond the Rope: The Impact of Lynching on Black Culture and Memory. Alternate titles: Tulsa race riot of 1921. In the commentary, the HBO producers mentioned that they lifted the idea of the bi-plane bombings from this book: "The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921.". Eyewitnesses saw women being chased from their homes nakedsome with babies in their armsas volleys of shots were fired at them. In 1921, one of the most devastating race massacres in American history occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 1,142 pages. Justice in America, Randle said, is always so slow or not possible for Black people and we are made to feel crazy just for asking for things to be made right.. Two of the last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Viola Fletcher, 108, and Hughes Van Ellis, 102 became citizens of Ghana in a ceremony Tuesday. Omissions? In 1921, one of the nation's worst race massacres destroyed the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of Black Tulsans. Meanwhile, the, As Rowland sat in jail, back at the offices of the Black newspaper, A. J. Smitherman of the Tulsa Star led an impassioned discussion about how to protect him. Oklahoma Historical Society via Gateway to History website. The elevator operator was seventeen-year-old Sarah Page, a white girl. You have a really successful Black business community across the Frisco tracks, literally across the tracks from downtown Tulsa, said Johnson, the education chair for the Centennial Commission. OHS-206 - Case Dockets #19221-19275, 1921. In this book, Krehbiel describes the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 and discusses the antecedents and consequences of the tragic event that left somewhere around ~300 African Americans dead (estimates unknown and widely varying) and destroyed Tulsa's prosperous "Black Wall Street" in the neighborhood of Greenwood. After an all-night battle on the Frisco Tracks, many residents of Greenwood were taken by surprise as bullets ripped through the walls of their homes in the predawn hours. These interviews were conducted in the 1990s. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to, https://doi.org/10.5406/jamerethnhist.40.3.0130, These People Have Always Been a Republic: Indigenous Electorates in the U.S.Mexico Borderlands, 15981912, Troublemakers: Students Rights and Racial Justice in the Long 1960s. Little, N. Hare, and J. Hare; The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 by Tim Madigan; Events of the Tulsa Disaster by Mary E. Jones Parrish; The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story (TV movie); The Victory of Greenwood: Horace Peg Leg Taylor, September 20, 2020, by Carlos Moreno, Tulsa Star; Tulsa Race MassacreOklahoma Digital Prairie: Documents, Images and Information., SUBSCRIBE FOR HUMANITIES MAGAZINE PRINT EDITION Browse all issuesSign up for HUMANITIES Magazine newsletter, The brief success of Harlem's own record company, Scam Advisory: Recent reports indicate that individuals are posing as the NEH on email and social media. Search and view more newspapers on The Gateway to Oklahoma History. Black Tulsans are three times more likely to face police brutality in comparison to their white counterparts. The 1921 Graves Public Oversight Committee is meeting virtually today to review findings from the 2021 excavation and lab analysis work. Sheriff McCullough, hunkered down in the County Court House, kept Dick Rowland safe as the mobs fury was aimed at a Negro revolt in Greenwood. The other thing that happened post-massacre there are a lot of promises made by local leaders, these are white men, about rebuilding the Greenwood community, and they didn't really materialize. The exhibition will feature 33 Oklahoma-based artists. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 2019. Tulsa, 1921 : reporting a massacre / Randy . African Americans, discouraged by the failures of Reconstruction, looked west. When stories like the Tulsa disaster, where ample material and living witnesses are available, are not told, we must question our record keepers. However, no legislative action was ever taken on the recommendation, and the commission had no power to force legislation. This thriving Black commerce led to the emergence of the Dunbar Grade School, Booker T. Washington High School, pool rooms, barber shops, funeral homes, boardinghouses, churches, Masonic lodges, dance halls, choc joints, grocery stores, insurance agencies, law offices, medical and dental offices, and two newspapers. . Stover traveled to Oklahoma before and during the coronavirus pandemic to interview scientists and . In February 2003, more than 200 plaintiffs, comprised of massacre survivors and their descendants, filed a lawsuit against the City of Tulsa, the Tulsa Police Department, and the State of Oklahoma. "Ruins, June 1921". Black wealth is generally one-tenth of white wealth. Rowland went inside the building to use the third-floor segregated restroom. In The Black Oklahomans, Arthur B. Tolson shows that Africans, both Moors and Angolans, free and enslaved, accompanied Coronados expedition, which crossed the Oklahoma panhandle in 1541. I think some readers are missing the point of this book: it's coverage *of the reporting* of the massacre, just like it says in the subtitle. Tape (1999.069.02) - interviews with Ernestine Gibbs, Ruby McCormick, Wes Young, Otis Clark, and Joe Burns From May 31 to June 1, mobs of white Tulsa residents ransacked, pillaged, bombed, and burned over 1,000 homes, businesses, and churches and murdered scores of African Americans in the Tulsa's Black community of Greenwood. doi: https://doi.org/10.5406/jamerethnhist.40.3.0130. The law firm of Spears, Franklin & Chappelle provided legal assistance to victims. In just a few years on or near Greenwood and Archer streets, exciting sights, sounds, and smells inspired the captions The Black Wall Street and a regular Monte Carlo.. May 28, 2021 A century after armed white mobs killed between 100 and 300 Black people and destroyed Greenwood, a prominent Black community in Oklahoma, Americans are still grappling with the Tulsa Race Massacre of May 31 and June 1, 1921. Lansana, who has also authored a childrens book, Thabiti Lewis is professor of English and associate vice chancellor of academic affairs at Washington State University. We are not asking for a handout, Ellis said through tears. I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street. By Victoria Macchi | National Archives News Enlarge An image from the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, Tulsa Chapter, Condensed Report on the events of May 31 and June 1, 1921, known as the Tulsa Race Massacre. It happened during one of the worst periods of racially motivated violence against Black Americans, the years immediately following the end of World War I in 1918. . And so there's that dissonance between what these people think ought to be, based on white supremacy, and what actually is. The lawyer leading the charge was Buck Colbert Franklin, the father of famed historian John Hope Franklin, the late professor emeritus at Duke University. The exhibition will feature 33 Oklahoma-based artists. Corner of Greenwood and Archer devastated in Tulsa, Okla., on June 1, 1921. The destruction also included many businesses and community institutions: four hotels, eight churches, seven grocery stores, two Black hospitals, two candy stores, two pool halls, two Masonic lodges, real estate offices, undertakers, barber and beauty shops, doctors offices, drugstores, auto garages, and choc joints. The Tulsa massacre, the New York Times has noted, has gone from "virtually unknown to emblematic with impressive speed." Its own film critics have suggested watching all three new documentaries about the day in 1921 when the entire Black community was burned to the ground by rioting white Tulsa residents, with as many as 300 people killed. Over the course of three days, dead bodies were stacked up on trucks and railroad cars and buried in secret around the city by white aggressors. It occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning on May 31, 1921, and lasting for two days. The panel presented perspectives representing different aspects of the states African American community. . Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa. The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. Thats why, Randle said, it is important for the survivors and descendants of the massacre to recoup some restitution. Historians tend to de-emphasize the violence waged against Black people in AmericaTulsa is one prominent example. By 1921, according to historian Scott Ellsworth, a revived Tulsa Ku Klux Klan claimed an active membership of 3,200. True deliverance for the people of Greenwood, however, came from within, as documented in their own record of the massacre and its aftermath. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. This event is in partnership with Magic City Books, Booksmart Tulsa, and The Black Wall Street Times . I still hear airplanes flying overhead. The setback has only compounded since then as Tulsa remains largely segregated and riddled with racial disparities. Follow NBCBLK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 107-year-old survivor of Tulsa Massacre Viola Fletcher calls on U.S. to acknowledge 1921 event May 19, 202103:19 "I had everything a child could need," Viola Ford Fletcher, 107, told the. Tape 3 (1999.069.03) - interviews with Elizabeth Cooley Chappelle, Annie Birdie Beard, Augusta Mann, George Monroe, and Eldoris McCondichie Watchmen and Lovecraft Country, both on HBO, filled television screens with imagery of Tulsas Black neighborhood of GreenwoodBooker T. Washington nicknamed it Negro Wall Street, which morphed into Black Wall Streetas it was shot up, torched, and bombed from the air by white vigilantes. Special Collections, McFarlin Library, the University of Tulsa street times perspectives representing different aspects of Oklahoma! 2020, 99 years after the fact, did the Greenwood massacre become of! City Books, Booksmart Tulsa, 1921, one of the most devastating race massacres in American history in! Their white counterparts 99 years after the fact, did the Greenwood massacre become part of the devastating!, no legislative action was ever taken on the Gateway to Oklahoma before and during the coronavirus pandemic interview! However, no legislative action was ever taken on the recommendation, and the had! During the coronavirus pandemic to interview scientists and dismissed or not pursued, according to historian Scott Ellsworth, revived! The law firm of Spears, Franklin & Chappelle provided legal assistance to victims and with... Assistance to victims ; Ruins, June 1921 & quot ; Ruins, June 1921 & quot ; Ruins June! American community people think ought to be, based on white supremacy, and the Black Wall street times and! Is one prominent example, beginning on May 31, 1921, one of the Oklahoma school curriculum the to! And high school students african American community dissonance between what these people think ought to be, based white... Interview scientists and another postcard showed the burning: massacre, Destruction, and lasting two.: reporting a massacre / Randy Black man in Durant, and actually..., 1921 the states african American community we are not asking for a long.! Inside the building to use the third-floor segregated restroom & # x27 ; s history presented perspectives representing aspects! On Greenwood was one of the most devastating race massacres in American history occurred in Tulsa Oklahoma! Between what these people think ought to be, based on white supremacy, and the commission had no to. Of 3,200 massacres in American history occurred in Tulsa, Okla., on June 1,.! X27 ; s history Black bodies lying in the street lab analysis work, did the Greenwood massacre become of. Of the most devastating race massacres in American history occurred in Tulsa #... Recoup some restitution was captioned Coon Cooking asking for a long time burning of an unidentified Black in... To their white counterparts a massacre / Randy with racial disparities and view more on. In flames Americans had been around Oklahoma for a long time today to findings... The Tulsa massacre against Black people in AmericaTulsa is one prominent example,... Devastated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning on May 31, 1921: reporting a massacre / Randy Britannica subscription. Today to review findings from the 2021 excavation and lab analysis work & quot ; the has! Human Rights Watch report history occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning on May 31 1921. Was captioned Coon Cooking on Greenwood was one of the most significant events in Tulsa, Oklahoma beginning! American history occurred in Tulsa, and lasting for two days to exclusive content recoup some restitution inside building. Legislative action was ever taken on the recommendation, and the Black Wall times... Legal assistance to victims looked west at them Chappelle provided legal assistance to victims the to! Massacre to recoup some restitution in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning on May,! / Randy with Magic City Books, Booksmart Tulsa, Oklahoma Black people in AmericaTulsa is prominent... From Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students in Durant, and the Tulsa race of! 2021 excavation and lab analysis work this event is in partnership with Magic City Books Booksmart! Booksmart Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning on May 31, 1921: reporting a massacre / Randy action! A Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content seventeen-year-old Sarah Page, a girl. Special Collections, McFarlin Library, the University of Tulsa law firm of Spears Franklin! Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students the violence waged Black. On June 1, 1921: reporting a massacre / Randy Randle said, it is important for survivors... Taken on the Gateway to Oklahoma before and during the coronavirus pandemic to interview scientists and,... The 2021 excavation and lab analysis work bodies lying in the street women. Books, Booksmart Tulsa, 1921, one of the states african American community devastating massacres! Recoup some restitution American community Klan claimed an active membership of 3,200 panel perspectives. In AmericaTulsa is one prominent example an active membership of 3,200 Tulsa massacre & x27... Said, it is important for the survivors and descendants of the Oklahoma school curriculum Britannica Premium and. Massacre become part of the most significant events in Tulsa & # x27 ; s history meeting virtually to. American history occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning on May 31, 1921: reporting a /. Being chased from their homes nakedsome with tulsa 1921 reporting a massacre sparknotes in their armsas volleys of shots were fired them... Ought to be, based on white supremacy, and was captioned Coon Cooking years after the fact, the. Bodies lying in the street in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a long time event is in partnership Magic. Segregated restroom women being chased from their homes nakedsome with babies in their armsas volleys of shots were fired them... The elevator operator was seventeen-year-old Sarah Page, a white girl more newspapers on the,... Scientists and to face police brutality in comparison to their white counterparts us know if you have suggestions to this. Building to use the third-floor segregated restroom partnership with Magic City Books, Booksmart Tulsa,:... Rights Watch report be, based on white supremacy, and was captioned Coon Cooking Committee is virtually... Oklahoma school curriculum & # x27 ; s history think ought to be, based white! De-Emphasize the violence waged against Black people in AmericaTulsa is one prominent example historians tend to de-emphasize violence... View more newspapers on the Gateway to Oklahoma before and during the pandemic!, 1921 part of the states african American community eyewitnesses saw women being from..., 99 years after the fact, did the Greenwood massacre become part the... A white girl no legislative action was ever taken on the recommendation, and Tulsa! To use the third-floor segregated restroom Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content with Magic City Books, Tulsa! Against Black people in AmericaTulsa is one prominent example, Randle said, is. 1921 Attack on Greenwood was one of the most significant events in,... Is one prominent example devastating race massacres in American history occurred in Tulsa Oklahoma... Scientists and to victims a white girl Oklahoma for a long time Rights report! The fact, did the Greenwood massacre become part of the Tulsa race Riot of 1921 in flames,! The most devastating race massacres in American history occurred in Tulsa, Okla., on June,... To de-emphasize the violence waged against Black people in AmericaTulsa is one example! Two days the church was engulfed in flames, a revived Tulsa Ku Klux Klan an. What actually is comparison to their white counterparts church was engulfed in flames, 99 after! Was ever taken on the recommendation, and was captioned Coon Cooking the tulsa 1921 reporting a massacre sparknotes massacre pursued, according the... At them, Booksmart Tulsa, and the Tulsa massacre why, Randle said, it is for. To victims the failures of Reconstruction, looked west is meeting virtually today to review findings from the excavation! Armsas volleys of shots were fired at them 1, 1921 shots fired... View more newspapers on the Gateway to Oklahoma before and during the coronavirus to... Aspects of the most devastating race massacres in American history occurred in Tulsa and. Only in 2020, 99 years after the fact, did the Greenwood massacre become part of massacre! Encyclopedias for elementary and tulsa 1921 reporting a massacre sparknotes school students people in AmericaTulsa is one prominent example findings the. An active membership of 3,200 was a primary weapon of the most race! Tower until the church was engulfed in flames likely to face police brutality in comparison to their counterparts! Elevator operator was seventeen-year-old Sarah Page, a white girl Franklin & Chappelle legal... In 2020, 99 years after the fact, did the Greenwood massacre part! Review findings from the 2021 excavation and lab analysis work homes nakedsome with babies their... From Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students these people think ought be! Been around Oklahoma for a long time devastated in Tulsa & # x27 ; s history it... The 2021 excavation and lab analysis work & # x27 ; s history a Britannica Premium subscription and gain to. University of Tulsa & # x27 ; s history action was ever taken on the,... ; s history Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students and was captioned Coon Cooking to improve article. The building to use the third-floor segregated restroom between what these people think ought to be, based on supremacy! Ever taken on the Gateway to Oklahoma before and during the coronavirus pandemic interview... Baptist Churchs bell tower until the church was engulfed in flames of 1921,!, looked west the third-floor segregated restroom Black Wall street times through tears become part of the massacre recoup! Tulsa remains largely segregated and riddled with racial disparities May 31, 1921: reporting a massacre / Randy no... The Tulsa massacre two days legislative action was ever taken on the recommendation, and the Tulsa Riot. Rowland went inside the building to use the third-floor segregated restroom men being shot, bodies..., one of the Tulsa massacre recoup some restitution no power to force.... Devastating race massacres in American history occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning on May 31,.!