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By: Akon Angara
The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred between the days May 31 and June 1, of 1921, in Tulsa,Oklahoma. It has been labeled as one of the most violent racial conflicts in U.S. history. 19-year-old Dick Rowland, a Black shoe shiner, was accused of assaulting Sarah Page, who was a 17-year-old White elevator operator of the Drexel Building while they were in the elevator together. When she ran out of the elevator screaming, people began to suspect that Rowland was to take the blame, and he was arrested and taken into custody. After his arrest, rumors spread through the city that Rowland was to be lynched that night.
Mobs of both African Americans and white people met at the courthouse where Rowland was being held. A confrontation between a black man, who was armed with intentions to protect Rowland from the mob, and a white man, resulted in the death of the white man. The white mob became upset, and the Tulsa massacre began. White mobs began to destroy the prosperous black neighborhood of Greenwood; African American businesses were looted and set on fire. Many rioters were trained in the use of firearms, and used this to their advantage, shooting African Americans on sight, and little was done by white officials to stop the violence.
When the massacre ended on June 1st, the death toll recorded the death of 26 African Americans, and 10 whites. However, experts have reason to believe that over 300 people were killed during the massacre. White rioters burned more than 1,400 homes and businesses, leaving over 10,000 people homeless. Documents relating to the massacre disappeared soon after, and the event did not receive widespread attention. In addition, books in Oklahoma also left out the massacre that occurred. In 1977, the state of Oklahoma created the Tulsa Race Riot Commission, with aims to investigate the massacre and document the incident. The commission suggested that the state of Oklahoma pay $33 million in restitution, which would include paying the 121 surviving victims who had been located. However, no action was ever taken on the recommendation.
In April 2002, a private religious charity, the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, paid $28,000 in total to the survivors. That meant that the survivors received $200 each. The 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre was celebrated just over a week ago, but it’s
significance to America remains to this day.
Like many acts of racial violence, white people felt that vigilante justice against black people, even with lack of verified information, was necessary. The loss of Black life and wealth still has its impacts in Greenwood today. It's also another overlooked example of how Black Americans have historically been kept from building and maintaining wealth.Events like these must be taught in schools, and should be well known. Educating people about horrifying moments like this in U.S. history can help avoid the repetition of them.
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