The Tulsa Race Massacre And An American City’s Search For Justice

On May 31, 1921, the vibrant streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma, witnessed a sudden eruption of violence and hatred that would forever change the city's landscape and the lives of its African American community. This tragic event, known as the Tulsa Race Massacre, ranks among the darkest chapters in American history, highlighting the deep-rooted racial tensions that have plagued the nation for centuries.

A Brutal and Horrific Tragedy Striking Greenwood District

The Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street, was a prosperous African American community within Tulsa. It was home to successful businesses, entrepreneurial ventures, and a thriving cultural scene, defying the barriers of segregation and prejudice that were deeply ingrained in society at that time.

The Ground Breaking: The Tulsa Race Massacre and an American City's Search for Justice

by Scott Ellsworth (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3640 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	310 pages

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However, all that progress came crashing down on that fateful day. A false accusation against a young black man, Dick Rowland, sparked an unruly mob, predominantly composed of white residents. They gathered outside the courthouse where Rowland was held, demanding his life. Eventually, it escalated into a full-scale assault on the Greenwood District.

Armed with guns and fueled by racial hostility, the mob unleashed a wave of destruction, burning down homes, schools, churches, and businesses. Countless innocent lives were lost, and the prosperous Greenwood District was reduced to ashes. Survivors were left traumatized, penniless, and displaced, while the perpetrators were never held accountable for their actions.

Decades of Suppressed History and the Quest for Justice

The Tulsa Race Massacre was deliberately concealed from the public eye for decades. It was largely ignored in history books, downplayed in news coverage, and swept under the rug by those in power. Acknowledging this tragedy and its long-lasting ramifications became an essential step towards healing and reconciliation.

Only in recent years has the massacre gained renewed attention. Efforts by researchers, historians, and activists have shed light on the brutal events and pushed for justice and reparations to address the generational trauma inflicted on the Black community in Tulsa.

Survivors and their descendants, along with organizations such as the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, have been instrumental in ensuring that the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre is told. Their commitment to justice has prompted investigations, calls for reparations, and initiatives aimed at rebuilding and revitalizing the Greenwood District.

Remembering the Past to Shape a More Just Future

The Tulsa Race Massacre serves as a painful reminder of systemic racism and the enduring struggle for racial equality in the United States. It represents a pivotal moment in history that must not be forgotten. The quest for justice in Tulsa is intertwined with the larger fight for social justice and equality across the nation.

Reflecting on this dark chapter allows us to confront the uncomfortable truths of the past, acknowledge the historical injustices faced by Black communities, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future. It is essential to educate ourselves and future generations about the Tulsa Race Massacre, as part of a broader effort to dismantle systemic racism in all its forms.

Honoring the Victims and Rebuilding With Hope

The memory of the victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre deserves the utmost respect and recognition. By preserving their stories and highlighting their resilience, we honor their lives and the sacrifices they made. It is through remembrance that we can pave the way for healing, justice, and progress.

Efforts to rebuild the Greenwood District, both physically and emotionally, provide an opportunity to rectify the past. By investing in economic development initiatives, providing support for Black-owned businesses, and fostering community unity, Tulsa strives to create a future that upholds the values of justice and equality.

Overall, the Tulsa Race Massacre continues to cast a long shadow over American history. However, it has also ignited a renewed commitment to justice, truth, and reconciliation. By acknowledging the past, fighting against systemic racism, and working towards a future free from racial inequality, we can honor the struggle of those affected by this horrifying event and ensure that such atrocities never happen again.

The Ground Breaking: The Tulsa Race Massacre and an American City's Search for Justice

by Scott Ellsworth (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3640 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	310 pages

FREE

2021 National Book Award Longlist

2022 Carnegie Medal Nonfiction Longlist

One of The New York Times' “11 New Books We Recommend This Week” | One of Oprah Daily's “20 of the Best Books to Pick Up This May” | One of The Oklahoman's“15 Books to Help You Learn About the Tulsa Race Massacre as the 100-Year Anniversary Approaches” |A The Week book of the week

As seen in documentaries on the History Channel, CNN, and Lebron James’s SpringHill Productions

And then they were gone.
More than one thousand homes and businesses. Restaurants and movie theaters, churches and doctors’ offices, a hospital, a public library, a post office. Looted, burned, and bombed from the air. 
 
Over the course of less than twenty-four hours in the spring of 1921, Tulsa’s infamous “Black Wall Street” was wiped off the map—and erased from the history books. Official records were disappeared, researchers were threatened, and the worst single incident of racial violence in American history was kept hidden for more than fifty years. But there were some secrets that would not die.
 
A riveting and essential new book, The Ground Breaking not only tells the long-suppressed story of the notorious Tulsa race massacre. It also unearths the lost history of how the massacre was covered up, and of the courageous individuals who fought to keep the story alive. Most important, it recounts the ongoing archaeological saga and the search for the unmarked graves of the victims of the massacre, and of the fight to win restitution for the survivors and their families.
 
Both a forgotten chronicle from the nation’s past and a story ripped from today’s headlines, The Ground Breaking is a page-turning reflection on how we, as Americans, must wrestle with the parts of our history that have been buried for far too long.