Last week I mentioned an African American community in Greenwood, Tulsa, Oklahoma, that was thriving economically during the early 20th century. It was home to African Americans and had many successful black businesses as well as its own millionaires. A massacre riot occurred on June 1, 1921 when the city was air bombed and destroyed. I mentioned the city because the West not only provided ‘opportunities’ for White Americans but for also Black Americans and this is often erased. African Americans composed one third of the people who were relocated forcibly to Oklahoma due to the Trail of Tears. Oklahoma was originally created with the intention of it being a Native American and African American state. This town to me represents a perfect connection between our studies on the West and on race in America. I thought of this connection after we watched the clip of Malcolm X’s speech. Malcolm X wanted the black community to provide for itself and reject what he felt to be America’s white ideals. Many Americans do not know about this city and I felt as though it was important to introduce because this community did what Malcolm believed African Americans needed to do and it was successful before it was destroyed by KKK members who worked in partnership with state and local elected officials and re-enforcement. The riot occurred after a young Caucasian woman claimed that Dick Rowland, an African American man, had made inappropriate advances to her. Although this part of American history is often not mentioned, it is important to know because to me brings up the larger question about Malcolm X and Dr.King’s vision and which one is actually unfortunately more possible. This community attempted to live on its own. It had its own lawyers, doctors, hospitals, etc and look what happened to it. To me, this reshaped Black American history in profound ways that I cannot even put into words. This is so important because one can only imagine what would have happened had the city been allowed to continue growing on its own and then what it would have meant for the black community. It also dismantles the misconception that many black youth ( I have witnessed this garbage myself, I tutor young children and they have all been led to believe this) are fed about African Americans and how they only live in poverty. I had tried to bring it up during class on Tuesday however what I was saying was not really clear so I wanted to use this post to bring some needed clarification. Greenwood was a very successful tight knit community. The dollar circulated numerous times through the community (36 to 100 times) before it left and money was exchanged hand to hand in part due to the Jim Crow laws. The city lost 600 of its businesses, one thousand homes were burned down and between 1,500-3,00 people lost their lives. The city was absolutely positively annihilated.
Some sources for those who are interested:
Reconstructing the Dreamland: The Tulsa Riot of 1921: Race, Reparations,
By Alfred L. Brophy, Randall Kenned
Death in a Promised Land: The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921
By Scott Ellsworth
P.S. I enjoyed this class a lot and I learned so much from not only Professor Simon but also all of you guys. You all introduced some new ideas and ways of thinking to me and I always appreciate new knowledge. Good luck with finals!
-Davea
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