Today marks the dubious anniversary of the race riot and aerial attack by thugs, KKK and various hatemongers that destroyed the Black Wall Street of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Never heard about the Greenwood Street district of Tulsa - well you are not alone because it has been all but erased from American history...
Greenwood was a district in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As one of the most successful and wealthiest African American communities in the United States during the early 20th Century, it was popularly known as America's "Black Wall Street" until the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. The riot was one of the most devastating race riots in history and it destroyed the once thriving Greenwood community.
The business district, beginning at the intersection of Greenwood Avenue and Archer Street, became so successful and vibrant that Booker T. Washington during his visit bestowed the moniker: "Negro Wall Street." By 1921, Tulsa’s African-American population of 11,000 had its own bus line, two high schools, one hospital, two newspapers, two theaters, three drug stores, four hotels, a public library, and thirteen churches. In addition, there were over 150 two and three story brick commercial buildings that housed clothing and grocery stores, cafes, rooming houses, nightclubs, and a large number of professional offices including doctors, lawyers, and dentists. (sources: Wikipedia and computerhealth.org)
While this day marks a tragic chapter in American history, it also should serve as a template on how much can be accomplished by Economic Community Building.
If with meager resources and in an overtly dangerous environment they can create a Black Wall Street, what can we build in our community today?
I marched n black wall street this weekend in honor of my ancestors and im telling you it was such a great feeling to honor them. I posted a story from Patch.com by Zawadi Morris and maybe this willl give you a diffrent insight of why its just not about every thriving black community. Its about a "massacare" that they want to say was a "race riot" It rings of the mentality that still goes on today in our community and all others around the country today. I mean think in 1960 we as african americans controlled 1% of the nation wealth. today in 2011 we as an african american still only control 1% of the nations wealth. Its time for us to go back to the mentality of this community. They said if they dont let us we will make a way. And they did. Even after the disaster they bulit again to thrive. We as an a collective need to have that same mind state. Never let anyone tell you cant. Find a way. Let your higher guide you the your greatness. Ase thats mypeace of mind for the day. :D
ReplyDeleteWall Street is synonymous worldwide with commerce, wealth and power. However, very few can say they've ever heard of “Black [Negro] Wall Street,” the name given to the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In fact, the story of Black Wall Street has been all but erased—not only from U.S. history books—but also from much of America’s memory. Tuesday, May 31, marks the 90th Anniversary of The Black Wall Street Massacre.
There's no more fitting time than the present to remind all who will listen about this important occurrence in America’s history, as the story of Black Wall Street not only serves as a testament of how far we have come as a country in achieving equal rights, but also, how far we have left to go.
This is the history that is being STOLEN from this generation which has been seduced totally with OPPORTUNITY absent WISDOM, that is why here in South Florida we have a generation of BLACKS who have parents and grand-parents from the islands and they have NO RESPECT or REVERENCE for the HISTORY that has made the AMERICAN DREAM possible for them ...it is by design that this history is being stolen from us !.
ReplyDeleteTulsa was not the only "black wall street" in the US. Black folks were enterprising people even during the slave era. That is what spawned Jim Crow laws, the KKK etc. But that was an era when small businesses thrived. There were no supermarkets, malls. etc. So it was a lot more feasible to start a business then. Wall Street didn't operate the way it does today either. There were no skyscrapers, and many of us still lived on farms and grew our own foods too. That was the America of old.
ReplyDeleteWe now have a global economy and we haven't kept pace with the changes. Most of America hasn't kept pace with the changes. We didn't have competition in our own communities from foreigners coming here and starting businesses in our communities. Manufacturing was a hughe source of employment for black people who were willing to go North to live.
My point is that there is no reason to high light Tulsa and the hidden race riot that resulted. We are in a much better position to accomplished things today than in our entire history here. And instead of taking advantages of those opportunities, we have chosen the low road of miscreant behavior.. That is the real issue. Tulsa is not.
@Ronald where and when did anyone say this was the only black wall street?
ReplyDeletewe all know there was Durham, Richmond's Jackson Ward etc. The point is this is the only one that was bombed, looted and destroyed. Furthermore one can both honor our history and move forward...these are not mutually exclusive terms. Other ethnic groups pledged never to forget even as they move forward. Are you suggesting we should no highlight our history?
Your post has me scratching my head...
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That's where the GAP Band get their name from
ReplyDeleteGreenwood - Archer - Pine These street intersected in downtown Black Wall Street, Tulsa Oklahoma
Great info . This was the first U.S. city ever bombed with aerial incendiary fire bombs. This was some 30 years before Pearl Harbor. Whites tried to hide these facts for years.
Interesting Thanks!
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