The Tulsa Riots of 1921 In one day a life’s work was destroyed, that’s how it was for many in the Greenwood District. Their success was envied by many, racism was heavily involved and Tulsa was segregated, and the aftermath of the riots left them in ruins. In the 1920’s racism was a normality so there was a lot of anger and envy. White racists were envious of the Greenwood District’s success. O.W. Gurley was just one of the victims whose life work was destroyed; he owned 5 residences and also an 80 acre lot, according to blackwallstreet.org. Another successful entrepreneur was John B. Stradford. According to Ebony.com, he owned a 54 room hotel and it was a fine black establishment. He was also the proud owner of an apartment building and 15 rental houses. Stradford later became the richest black man in Tulsa. However, after the riots he had to leave the city and later died in Chicago. John and Loula Williams were very successful in Tulsa as well, they were the proud owners of the Williams Confectionary. People say that the Confectionery was the place to propose. Then, they built the Dreamland Motion Picture Theater. All were destroyed in the burning massacre. The community had lost all of it’s success. …show more content…
One day, a man named Dick Rowland made one of the biggest mistakes of his life. He stepped into an elevator and the white assistant Sarah Page screamed. Of course, people believed that this African American male Dick Rowland must have done something to make her scream as loud as she did. Dick knew no one would believe him over a white lady. Therefore, he did the only sensible thing he could think of and ran away. There was no sufficient evidence to prove that he was innocent so of course everyone would believe he was guilty. The whites were furious. Thus, on the morning of June 1st 1921 the white rioters did the