Tulsa Race Massacre

Definition

The Tulsa Race Massacre refers to a horrific event that occurred in May 1921, when a white mob attacked the affluent Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life. This massacre is a significant example of racial violence and lynching in America, highlighting systemic racism and the violent suppression of Black prosperity and success during the Jim Crow era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Tulsa Race Massacre resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Black residents and the destruction of over 1,000 homes and businesses in the Greenwood District.
2. The attack was ignited by a false accusation against a Black man, Dick Rowland, who was alleged to have assaulted a white woman, resulting in a mob forming to seek justice.
3. White citizens took to the streets with weapons and airplanes, using aerial bombardments to devastate the community, making this one of the first instances of air attacks on U.S. soil against civilians.
4. Following the massacre, there was little to no accountability for the perpetrators, and the event was largely omitted from history books and public discourse for decades.
5. The legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre has led to ongoing discussions about reparations, systemic racism, and the need for acknowledging and teaching this dark chapter in American history.

Review Questions

• How did the economic prosperity of the Greenwood District contribute to the racial tensions that led to the Tulsa Race Massacre?
  • The Greenwood District was known as 'Black Wall Street' due to its thriving businesses and affluent African American community. This economic success created envy and resentment among white residents in Tulsa. The disparity between Black wealth and white poverty fueled racial tensions, ultimately culminating in violence when a white mob attacked Greenwood following false accusations against a Black man. The massacre reflects how Black success often provoked violent backlash from white communities.
• Analyze the role of media coverage during and after the Tulsa Race Massacre and its impact on public perception of the event.
  • Media coverage during the Tulsa Race Massacre was largely biased against the Black community, with local newspapers sensationalizing the events and framing Black residents as aggressors. Afterward, many outlets failed to report on the extent of damage and loss of life suffered by the African American community. This lack of accurate representation contributed to public amnesia surrounding the massacre for decades and minimized acknowledgment of systemic racism and violence against Black Americans.
• Evaluate how the legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre has influenced contemporary discussions about racial equity and reparations in America.
  • The legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre has sparked renewed conversations about racial equity and reparations in America. As descendants of those affected seek justice, there are growing calls for acknowledgment of historical injustices and compensation for victims' families. The massacre serves as a stark reminder of systemic racism's long-lasting effects on Black communities. These discussions push for broader societal change by highlighting how historical events shape current inequalities and necessitate a reckoning with America's past.

Related terms

Greenwood District: A prosperous African American community in Tulsa, known for its successful businesses, often referred to as 'Black Wall Street' before the massacre.

Lynch Law: An extrajudicial punishment used predominantly in the United States where mobs would kill individuals, typically Black men, accused of crimes without a fair trial.

Redlining: A discriminatory practice that involves denying services, typically financial, to residents of certain areas based on their racial or ethnic composition, which contributed to systemic inequities.