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The Tulsa Race Massacre You will be shocked by what you read.

 The Tulsa Race Massacre 




also known as the Tulsa Race Riot, was a dark chapter in American history that unfolded in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, during late May and early June 1921. It is an event that remained largely hidden from public knowledge for decades, as it was intentionally suppressed and omitted from many historical records. Only in recent years has the true extent of the tragedy come to light.


The Greenwood District, often referred to as "Black Wall Street," was a thriving African American community known for its prosperity and economic success. It boasted numerous black-owned businesses, including banks, hotels, theaters, and a vibrant social and cultural scene. However, this prosperity and success were viewed with jealousy and resentment by some members of the white community in Tulsa.


On May 30, 1921, tensions escalated when a false accusation of a young black man assaulting a white woman circulated through the city. Sensationalized accounts of the alleged incident spread rapidly, further fueling racial animosity and deepening divisions. A mob of white residents, numbering in the thousands, gathered outside the courthouse where the accused individual was held.


As the situation escalated, armed African American World War I veterans arrived to protect the young man from lynching, contributing to an already volatile atmosphere. Confrontations erupted between white and black residents, leading to exchanges of gunfire. The violence quickly spiraled out of control, with white mobs launching a full-scale attack on the Greenwood District.


Over the course of the following hours and days, mobs of white residents, including members of the Ku Klux Klan, systematically looted, burned, and destroyed Black-owned businesses, homes, and places of worship. The violence was characterized by extreme brutality, with reports of arson, gunfire, and the use of improvised explosive devices. Airplanes were even employed to drop firebombs onto buildings and further exacerbate the destruction.


The extent of the devastation was immense. By the time the violence subsided, an estimated 35 city blocks of the Greenwood District were reduced to smoldering ruins. Countless lives were lost, though the exact number remains unknown due to suppressed documentation and a lack of comprehensive investigation. The official death toll stands at 36, but it is believed to be much higher.


In the aftermath of the massacre, the Greenwood District was left in ruins, and the survivors were left to grapple with the physical, emotional, and economic toll. Despite the scale of the destruction and loss of life, the incident was downplayed and deliberately excluded from many historical accounts. Survivors were silenced, and records were intentionally destroyed or hidden.


It was not until the 1990s, more than seven decades after the massacre, that efforts were made to uncover the truth and shed light on this dark chapter in American history. The Tulsa Race Massacre has since gained wider recognition and acknowledgment, prompting calls for justice, reparations, and the inclusion of the event in educational curricula.


The Tulsa Race Massacre serves as a painful reminder of the deep-seated racism, inequality, and violence that have plagued American society. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the survivors and the need for continued efforts to confront the injustices of the past, acknowledge the truth, and work towards a more equitable and just future.

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  1. If we thought race relations in America were bad back then who would have thought that in the 21st century America would have political leaders such as state governors wanting to rewrite or even erase Black history in America! That's how deep seated and systemic the racial animus has been in America, for a LONG time!

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    1. It is indeed disheartening to witness political leaders in the 21st century advocating for the rewriting or erasure of Black history in America. This situation highlights the persistent challenges and struggles surrounding race relations in the country. It is crucial to promote inclusivity, diversity, and understanding to foster a more equitable and just society for all.

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