The Effects Of The Tulsa Race Massacre

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African American history is often dampened in order to protect the sensitivity of surrounding individuals, yet one instance that cannot physically be dampened due to its long-lasting effects would be the Tulsa Race Massacre. Today, African Americans make up the 25% poorest group in the United States while simultaneously being only 13% of the U.S population (Census), yet there was a time when even Black people had their own “Wall Street” utopia.

After this devastating annihilation of human beings, the Tulsa Race Massacre revealed a generational indignant mindset towards Black people, a failure of intergenerational wealth, and severe decline in home ownership.

Early 1921 was a significant time for the Tulsa population; while there was still …show more content…

On the morning of May 30, 1921, young Black shoe shiner, Dick Rowland, used the elevator so that he may reach one of the few segregated bathrooms. Once white female operator, Sarah Page, began to scream, Rowland fled the scene. As mistrust arose, Rowland was then arrested under the charge of rape, ultimately leading to the beginning of lynching threats outside the courthouse. Black Tulsa residents refused to remain idle with the situation and began arming themselves; inducing many clashes between the two groups. As tensions rose, shots soon began firing. Once the African Americans realized they were outnumbered, they began to retreat to Greenwood while the white group soon followed; allowing the violence to …show more content…

One of the main reasons we continually find issue with this being that we consistently figure out ways to cover and dilute our past while simultaneously disrespecting those affected minority groups. Even directly after the Massacre, newspaper articles were quick to describe the events as a “race riot” rather than a one-sided decimation. Not only was this tactic used to dampen the truth but also used for insurance companies to avoid repaying back any damages, in which they successfully did. As if the failure to rebuild and progress forward was not enough, news outlets continued their mockery with headlines such as, “the old ‘Niggertown’ must never be allowed in Tulsa again” (Perry). Free of any feelings of guilt, it was illustrated through the actions of white Tulsa that no amount of hatred could possibly be directed towards a human without having the mindset that those being affected are considered inhuman. Instead of their hatred turning to remorse after the devastating events, it only amplified, exemplifying where society was as a whole in the 1920’s; a cruel and bigoted era that failed to see people as color as anything less than human. It was only through the Tulsa Race Massacre that we can look back and analyze the consequences of racism and