In this episode we tell the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre. One of the least known and most violent racial incidents in American history occurred in 1921, over 18 hours on May 31 through June 1st, when a White mob obliterated the Black Greenwood Community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the time, Tulsa was fast becoming prosperous due to the abundance of oil. Whites and Blacks flocked to the area for a fresh start. The city remained segregated but Blacks established a community, Greenwood, and flourished due to their skills in specific trades. The community grew as more Blacks arrived and entrepreneurial opportunities grew. Before long the community had its own bank, hotel, hospital, school, stores, movie theatre, etc. Doctors, lawyers, teachers and other professionals also lived in Greenwood and the community was self-sufficient. It was referred to as Black Wall Street and a mecca for African Americans. The unrest began when an interaction between a Black young man and a White young woman was misreported by a local newspaper as a sexual assault. An angry armed White mob showed up at the jail demanding that the Black young man be lynched. Word reached the Black community and armed Black men from Greenwood came down to protect the young man. An altercation in the crowd between a Black and White man ensued and a gun was discharged. Chaos ensued and the Black man retreated to Greenwood outnumbered. The angry White crowd assembled more members, along with the sheriff that deputized hundreds, and proceeded to Greenwood. The mob looted, burned, and bombed over 30 blocks of homes and businesses and murdered hundreds of Black Greenwood citizens. Once the National Guard arrived to stop the chaos, the remaining 6,000 Greenwood citizens that had not been murdered or ran out of town were imprisoned in an internment camp at the fairgrounds. Only those that a White citizen vouched for them were allowed out to work and had to wear a ribbon signifying such. No one was ever prosecuted, charged, or brought to justice for the death of hundreds, destruction of property, the thousands left homeless, and the loss of generational wealth. No insurance claims or reparations were ever paid to those that lost everything. Questions to Consider: Why has this violent incident been left out of American history books? What type of wealth could have been acquired if Greenwood remained a flourishing community? Who now occupies the stolen land where Greenwood once stood? Should reparations be paid to the Greenwood families? What resonates most with you? Who else will you share this with?` Resources from this Episode Tulsa History: https://www.tulsahistory.org/exhibit/1921-tulsa-race-massacre/ The Massacre of Black Wall Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-ItsPBTFO0 You can connect with Queen LaLa and The Palenque Podcast through multiple social media outlets. Website: www.ThePalenque.com Twitter: @The_Palenque Facebook: @ThePalenque Instagram: @ThePalenquePodcast Apple Podcasts: The Palenque Podcast Soundcloud: The Palenque Spotify: The Palenque Podcast Stitcher: The Palenque Podcast Email: ThePalenqueInfo@gmail.com We’d love to connect with you Palenqueros. Share this podcast with your followers. The Palenque: Where Voices For Change Gather!
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20 mins