Assumptions Accepted as Truth Without Verification.
Around the disturbing time of segregation, science was not as advanced as now. Mass acts of violence such as lynching, arrests, and convictions resulted from one person’s accusation against another. In most cases, these accusations were usually made by whites against blacks. Outraged white people required no factful proof. In recent years, however, many assumptions have been verified by surveillance, witnesses, or DNA. Thus, this blog post references the vicious “Black Wall Street” incident and the “Bruce’s Beach” story previously posted.
After reviewing the Tulsa Race Massacre story in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921, evidence was discovered of how the racist madness began. Various reports state that a young black man, Dick Rowland, riding an elevator, sexually assaulted a young white female elevator operator, Sarah Page. Or at least that was the reason given for the brutal riot that followed. The insane racist riot allowed white citizens to unleash a fiery inferno on the Black Greenwood community. Other reports state not one fire department responded, and the area burnt for eighteen hours until the entire black community of Greenwood was diminished to ashes. Additionally, the assuming accusation hardly seems related to the cause of Rowland’s arrest, and the ruthless riot since the black-owned district prospered beyond the expectations of the white community.
Members of the A.M.E Church in 1905
Because of segregation laws, Black Tulsans were prevented from shopping in white establishments. Therefore, when blacks were able to acquire land, they formed their community, which allowed them to circulate their money within their prospering communities. Black business people established banks and theaters, churches, schools, legal and medical offices. Shops and other businesses fulfilled the needs of the communities. As seen in the photo below, established Black Tulsans flourished, dressed well, and acquired wealth that can be assumed to have irritated the white citizens—many owned cars, and some provided car service to their community. They took pride in themselves and their successful accomplishments.
Berry Service Station Passengers
The photo also portrays black patrons waiting at Berry Service Station in the Greenwood District. Before the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was known as the wealthiest black community in the United States of America in early 1900 amid “Black Wall Street.” Additionally, “Black Wall Street” was a flourishing self-contained black society. In contrast, from May 31st to June 1st, 1921, the Tulsa Race Massacre occurred in the Black Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The notorious riot started when an enraged white mob demanded that the Sheriff hand over the accused and arrested young Dick Rowland to them.
The mob of white, angry Tulsans was soon deputized by city officials and given weapons, arming them to enter the black community. According to multiple reports, some families had retired to bed for the night and were unaware they were surrounded by fire as planes dropped sticks of dynamite. There was no place to escape the inferno. Many Black Tulsans ran into the local black churches to find refuge by hiding in the basements while the upper structure continued to burn. Every building was destroyed; several black residents were burnt alive, while others died from smoke inhalation. On that evil day, an estimated three hundred people lost their lives, livestock, and working animals, like cattle and horses.
The horrific riot of The Tulsa Massacre in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma 1921, was the most severe in the Nation yet is the least known in American History. The National Black Caucus is making tremendous efforts to expose the inhuman tragedy. In 2021, some of the survivors testified in Congress to commemorate the centennial of the riot. Alternatively, the only compensation the black homeowners received was a gold coin, although their businesses were also looted during the fire. They were robbed, vandalized, and burnt at once.
The unsuccessful meeting of Congress in May 2021 was an excellent opportunity for a seven-year-old child to recall the horrors of that night. Mother Viola Fletcher, 107 years old, and her brother, Mr. Hughes Van Ellis, a 100-years-old WWII Veteran, spoke of their childhood trauma and the loss of generational wealth. After hearing them voice their frustration, not even the courts would allow their parents to file a claim. Many families drifted away because they lost the impetus to rebuild their lives, believing they could lose everything again at any time. Simply put, what can the families achieve with such a small compensation of one gold coin per family? They had no recourse. An unfair and unjust court system defeated the Greenwood victims.
On the other hand, the Black Wall Street revitalization project is essential for all nationalities' continuous education. Today several concerned black citizens are trying to revitalize the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by encouraging black businesses to return to the area. An area that has been abandoned and left in ruins. I hope their special efforts would bring forth new economic development and teach the younger generation within the community about the necessity of learning Black History told from a black perspective.
https://youtu.be/a6GCTd1-dmY?t=1939
Many might ask, why should we bother commemorating such a horrendous event? Well, because scores of historians never told the story. Truth should be shared for enlightenment, hoping the younger generation can understand past struggles faced. The expectation is that the present generation and those to come will understand their ancestors' struggles, punishments, and strife. Apart from this, every nationality has a history and should have the chance to trace its roots. For example, Alex Haley successfully traced his roots back to Gambia, West Africa, and brought us the Academy Award film “Roots” of 1977.
Coincidentally, and how ironic, I purchased my house in 1994 in East Orange, New Jersey, and learned that I had bought my home in the City of East Orange Greenwood District. Yes, it is predominately black with a mid to low-income neighborhood. Most of the residents are homeowners, hard-working folks who take outstanding care of their property. The Civic Center is also in this area. The center serves the social needs of adults and children in the community. I have lived here for twenty-nine years and have enjoyed my peace with little to no interference.
But on May 30, 1921, the young black teenager Dick Rowland, a shoe shiner in the Drexel Building of Tulsa, Oklahoma, faced great harm by taking the elevator to a different floor to use one of the segregated bathrooms. Something I am sure he may have done several times before, minus the accusations and maltreatment. Routine trips to the bathroom like Rowland did, is why I believe any black person in the building would take the elevator to the segregated bathroom without hurt and danger. However, on this particular day, in the elevator, Rowland came across a young white teenager Sarah Page, and that encounter allowed the white community to hatch a devastating plan. I believe, in hindsight, maybe Rowland’s presence terrified Sarah Page, causing her to scream aloud. A better scenario may be because Rowland and Page worked in the same building and knew each exceptionally well. But the plan to arrest Rowland appears to be part of a more elaborate scheme. The evil-wicked plot seems to indicate it was time for Black Tulsans to be subject to white wrath. For these reasons, I am convinced the arrest and riot was a detailed plan already set in motion to attack the wealthiest black district in the United States of America.
Or maybe it would have been better if the accused Dick Rowland took the stairs rather than using the elevator alone with the white female operator. More importantly, considering the era when it happened, I believe the error in judgment had fallen on Rowland’s shoulders. Consequently, riding the elevator with the young white teenager Sarah Page, I think, appeared to have sealed his fate and the fate of Black Tulsans on that horrific day. Even now, I feel the absurdity of the insult every victim must have thought about when receiving one gold coin.
As a result, these stories are written to inform and enlighten us, not criticize. We are not trying to change the past; instead, we learn how to use the information provided to help us make better decisions for the future. Conversely, the end of segregation laws and the Civil Rights Movement society has come far. But we must not become comfortable with inequality and discrimination. Furthermore, the past need not erupt in anger but provide intelligence and forgiveness. Undoubtedly education enhances the writing skills of the School of English Studies Department at Kean University in the spirit of change.
Greenwood Race Riot May 31 to June 1; 1921.
Comments
Post a Comment