Beyond Tulsa, 100 years later

“Local artist I’ja Charles has painted her latest mural on the side of a city-owned building at 1401 Main Street. The mural pays homage to Columbia’s historic Black Wall Street, which was located along Washington Street in the pre-civil rights era.” June 2, 2021 THE MINORITYEYE

The domestic terrorism that plagued Tulsa, Oklahoma also known as Black Wall Street 100 years ago, is finally getting its just due in the realm of recognition. On this centennial anniversary, we are privileged to see several television specials across mainstream media, cable networks and social media coverage highlighting not only the devastation, but the community as a whole. I can't help to think... 100 years later, and still, people have never heard of this particular monstrosity.

The Massacre

Recently, I posed a question on Facebook. It was a simple, but powerful question for a number of reasons. "Did you learn about the Tulsa massacre in school?" There are no doubts that of the 58 responses (and counting), there were only two definitive "yes" answers and one "I don't think so." The rest were "no." Side bar... I count that "I don't think so" as a "no." There is no humanely possible way someone could learn of this devastating moment in history and not remember if they learned it in school. I am sure we all remember when we learned about the Holocaust. I overheard a family member talking about it. I looked to him and asked him if he was being truthful. I wanted it to be some kind of horrible fabled nightmare. He regrettably responded “yes, it is true.” It was the moment that I knew that humans had the ability to not only be cruel, but inherently evil. I was six years old. This isn't something you forget. The 300 plus souls that were hunted down and savagely brutalized, deserves every ounce of acknowledgement. They were people with hopes and dreams that were living in hopes and dreams. They were former and descendants of slaves. These were families, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, children and more. They were people. Doctors, lawyers, artists, entrepreneurs, pastors and teachers. They were believers in a promise of liberty. They were Black. The 40 square blocks that once served as a refuge from the racist Jim Crow Laws was ravaged, burned, and looted. This Black community where, homes, businesses, churches, hotels and schools once stood was reduced to rubble. There are multiple sources to research the tragic event. I suggest you take some time to do so. A luxury many other atrocities don't have.

Black History is American History

This purpose of this write up is to make a simple statement. Black History is American History (period). Tulsa, Oklahoma isn't the first Black community to be disgraced by White men spewing venomous racism, hatred, jealously and cowardice. Leaving trails of Black bodies at the wake of sunrise. In most circumstances, these vulgar events were dramatized by false claims of White women against Black men for rape or some other kind of sexual force and assault. The irony. Especially, since most rape victims were Black women, and their vicious attackers being White men. It appears the projecting of a White man's greatest fears came at the cost of lies and discourse from their own behavior. Like so many others, this is a great example of teaching ourselves and then teaching others the truth of our history. Last year I wrote a piece called "The Race Talk." It was in response to the people's uprising to the murder of George Floyd and other slain Black victims at the hands of the police. It was a call to action encouraging us to talk to the youth of all ethnicities about race. Again, speak. Speak honestly and truthfully. Racism isn’t merely a minority issue. It is a humanity issue.

Beyond Tulsa

I came across this post outlining other massacres. I encourage you to learn and research them all for yourself. Take that knowledge and share amongst your loves. I once head “Those who control the language, control the narrative.” If the narrative is false then so will be the history. It is far past the time to take back the language. It is long overdue. The coverups of whitewashing history has come to its end. Read.

Justice?

As the mass graves of murdered souls are being excavated, it’s hard not to have a sense of painful relief. The color of one's skin should not be a weapon. Racism is taught. It is a horrific learned behavior passed down from generation to generation. It plagues us to this day. To date, the descendants of the Tulsa race riot have not received any monetary compensation. Their ancestors, those who survived and stayed, were forced to rebuild under horrendous conditions. It was never set back to its full glory of Black Wall Street. Others migrated keeping the darkest secrets of May 31st and June 1st 1921 hidden in fear. One day and a half is all it took to create the most brutal attack on a Black community in United States History. Let's ensure it doesn't take another 100 years for justice.

Cover Photo Source  THE MINORITYEYE