Four Reasons Why the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Still Matters in 2021
Photo by Duncan Shaffer on Unsplash
As an African American grandmother, educator, and author, I have written about the 1921 Tulsa Massacre. It was encouraging to observe the renewed interest in the 100th anniversary of this historic, but tragic event. Even more encouraging was the news coverage by mainstream media outlets.
My first thought about this renewed interest was that Black lives mattered in 1921, but not many news outlets cared enough to meaningfully report on it. Back then, police and newspapers only showed a small interest in the loss of 300 Black Tulsa lives and their property. Things are somewhat better today because of 24-hour news channels and the internet.
In many ways, BlackLivesMatter (BLM) has ushered in a renewed focus on social and political justice events that impact people of color. BLM has also brought about a broader awareness and perspective about America’s racial past. Moreover, the continuing legacy of events of long ago still impact people today as BlackLivesMatter has shown us.
A direct consequence of the BLM movement is a re-examination of historical events such as the 1921 Tulsa race riot against African Americans. The nation is beginning to acknowledge and better understand the significance of past injustices in light of current events.
Second, Blacks are still being killed by over-zealous policing in African American communities. Sometimes these incidents are reported in the media; at other times, they are not. Occasionally, these incidents are caught on video which garners greater attention and scrutiny by the public, politicians and police reformers.
The criminal justice system is stacked against Blacks. One just has to consider the number of arrests of Blacks and Latinos, and the harsher sentences that are imposed on these groups. For example, a grand jury blamed the Tulsa Massacre on Blacks; a commission in 2001 reluctantly apologized but failed to provide reparations for the victims.
The Black residents of Tulsa had established a thriving community. This area of Tulsa was also known as Greenwood. It was so prosperous that it was nick-named the “Black Wallstreet” of the west. A White mob, under the pretense of bringing a Black man to justice because of an alleged attack against a White woman, burned and ravaged the community. In Tulsa, the police and Ku Klux Klan members were among the White mob, that was responsible for the death and devastation of Greenwood. Justice for Greenwood never materialized even after 100 years.
Third, there is the economic significance of the 1921 Tulsa event even today. In reality, the Greenwood community was destroyed by envious Whites because of African American economic prosperity. In addition to the loss of property, no Black insurance claims were honored.
If Black insurance claims been paid, the Greenwood community could have been rebuilt sooner. The monies would have provided a financial foundation for families to prosper in the years to come. This economic foundation would have been one upon which trans- generational wealth could have been established.
Fast forward from Tulsa 1921 to today. There are still far fewer African American families with generational wealth as compared to Whites, nationally. There are fewer tools and opportunities for Blacks to establish wealth, not just have an income.
Some of the reasons for this disparity included discrimination in home loans, redlining banking processes, and corporate economic entitlements that limit resources for community development projects. The federal government has perpetuated White privilege that is a continuing obstacle to Black economic mobility.
Fourth, Blacks faced numerous challenges in 1921 Tulsa, but also throughout America in 2021. However, one of the biggest disadvantages — then and now- is political power related to voting restrictions. Voter suppression remained in Tulsa until the civil rights era of the 1960’s.
In 2021, ultra-conservative state legislators are attempting to make voting more difficult for Blacks and Latinos. Ultra-conservative politicians are also engaging in voter suppression tactics to perpetuate their political power, and skew elections with their racist voter policies.
The Tulsa Race Massacre in 2021, matters because the event mirrors the economic disparities and social injustices experienced by Blacks today. The 1921 Massacre mirrors the many “George Floyds” of today; but this time, events have become part of a larger conversation about race in America. It is a conversation that many people find uncomfortable and attempt to avoid. However, race and racism are still relevant and imperative to our national identity and collective success.
The Tulsa Race Massacre matters in 2021 because race still matters as the nation considers its future.
