Centennial Remembrance of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and Its Lasting Impact
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst racial violence incidents in US history, is brought to light during its centennial remembrance in 2021. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a brutal incident of racial violence, took place on June 1, 1921 in the Greenwood district in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an area known as 'Black Wall Street'. The brutal assault left between 100 to 300 Black individuals dead, over 700 injured, and over 8,000 homeless. The survivors were placed in internment camps, only able to leave with the consent of a white employer and a green badge as proof. Despite the magnitude of the massacre being ignored and unprosecuted for decades, the crimes went unpunished. The centennial remembrance in 2021 marked a significant shift towards confronting this dark chapter in American history, a step towards healing and restitution for the atrocities committed.
Published : 4 months ago by Justice Nwafor in World
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a grim incident of racial violence, has been shrouded in silence for nearly a century. On the fateful day of June 1, 1921, a massive white mob descended upon the flourishing Greenwood district in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an area known as ‘Black Wall Street’. Their intent? To obliterate this prosperous hub of African American businesses and culture completely.
The assault was brutal and devastating. Between 100 to 300 Black individuals lost their lives, over 700 were injured, and more than 8,000 were left homeless. Homes, businesses, and institutions were looted and set on fire. A hospital, where a respected African American surgeon worked diligently to save lives, was also reduced to ashes. The survivors of the massacre were herded into internment camps, only able to leave with the consent of a white employer and a green badge as proof.
Despite the magnitude of the massacre, it was largely ignored and unaddressed for decades. The crimes committed during the massacre went unpunished and unprosecuted. The Greenwood district, once a beacon of prosperity and hope for African Americans, was left in ruins, its history almost wiped out.
However, the centennial remembrance in 2021 marked a turning point in the recognition of this horrific event. President Joe Biden visited Greenwood and addressed the nation about the massacre, bringing it into the national spotlight. Documentaries and public discussions started to shed light on this dark chapter of American history. A renewed investigation into the events led by the Tulsa mayor unearthed potential mass graves, further corroborating the severity of the massacre.
The Carters: A Story of Survival and Legacy
The Carters, a family affected by the massacre, have come forward to share their story. Their narrative underscores how the massacre disrupted their family history and emphasizes the import of acknowledging the past for healing. The recent acknowledgments and investigations represent a significant shift towards confronting this dark chapter in American history, a step towards healing and restitution for the atrocities committed.