The Tulsa Race Riots of 1921 A case of Capitalism, Racism, and Yellow Journalism

Black Wall Street There were several “Black Wall Streets” in America, but a tragic riot occurred in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma in Oklahoma, formerly a territory, was declared a state in Many settlers from the South who had been former slave-holders settled in the state.

Mandatory Segregation in the City In addition to white settlers coming from the South, immigrants from other countries began expanding into Oklahoma as well. Soldiers from World War I returned and tried to be reabsorbed into society. In August 1916, the city passed an ordinance forbidding whites or Blacks from residing on any block where ¾ or more of the residents were of the other race.

Black Prosperity Black people traditionally resided in the Greenwood District. They had their own prosperous businesses: several grocery stores, two movie theatres, two independent newspapers, nightclubs, and churches. In addition, the Black community was serviced by its own doctors, lawyers, dentists, clergy, and teachers. They participated in the oil boom, and speculated on Wall Street. In short, Blacks lived a prosperous life in their segregated community, even in times of relative hardship for Tulsa’s white residents!

An Incident in an Elevator Jealousy had long been brewing between the white residents of Tulsa and their more prosperous Black neighbors. Violent tension existed just beneath the placid surface. On Memorial Day, a young Black male asked to ride the elevator to the restroom in a building in downtown Tulsa. It was operated by a young white woman. The two knew each other by face.

Incident in an Elevator Continued… On the ride down, there was a screaming contest heard. Someone from the department store saw the young lady, Sarah Page, in a “distraught condition,” and called the police. The Tulsa Tribune reported Sarah Page’s story as an “assault,” but no report of a formal statement to the police by her ever surfaced. On the ride down, there was a screaming contest heard. Someone from the department store saw the young lady, Sarah Page, in a “distraught condition,” and called the police. The Tulsa Tribune reported Sarah Page’s story as an “assault,” but no report of a formal statement to the police by her ever surfaced.

Stoking the Racial Fires with Yellow Journalism The police picked up Rowland, and conducted a very low-key investigation. However, the Tulsa Tribune covered it as an all-out manhunt, and warned of a lynching. By that afternoon, several hundred white men gathered in front of the courthouse and demanded Rowland. Though clearly outnumbered, the sheriff stood firm and said, “no.” A lynch mob had executed a white man previously, and he would have no more under his watch! The police picked up Rowland, and conducted a very low-key investigation. However, the Tulsa Tribune covered it as an all-out manhunt, and warned of a lynching. By that afternoon, several hundred white men gathered in front of the courthouse and demanded Rowland. Though clearly outnumbered, the sheriff stood firm and said, “no.” A lynch mob had executed a white man previously, and he would have no more under his watch!

Meanwhile, in the Black Community Members of the Black community discussed how to best support the sheriff. The more militant WWI vets favored violent resistance while older people did not. The more militant WWI vets, armed with shotguns and rifles, went to the courthouse to stand with the sheriff. The sheriff assured them that everything was under control, and asked them to return home. Members of the Black community discussed how to best support the sheriff. The more militant WWI vets favored violent resistance while older people did not. The more militant WWI vets, armed with shotguns and rifles, went to the courthouse to stand with the sheriff. The sheriff assured them that everything was under control, and asked them to return home.

The Spark that Blew the Powder Keg! White men, upon seeing armed, militant Black men, went home and grabbed their guns. Some even stormed the National Guard Armory. Small groups of Black men began to return to the courthouse in cars. About 75 armed Black men showed up after hearing rumors that whites were storming the courthouse. White men asked the Black men to surrender their pistols. The Black men refused. A shot was heard. Though no one knew who fired the shot, almost immediately, white men began firing on the Black men.

All-Out Assault on Black Wall Street The first “battle” only lasted a few seconds with Black and white dead bodies on the courthouse grounds. The remaining Blacks retreated back to Black Wall Street, hotly pursued by whites. Rumors circulated that Blacks would be arriving by railcar from Muskogee to reinforce those from Tulsa. Planes flew overhead, dropping bombs on Black Wall Street property and firing rifles on running Black residents. Some residents hid in the local churches. The First Presbyterian Church and the Catholic Holy Family Cathedral, both of which serviced white congregation, opened their doors to help escaping victims. The first “battle” only lasted a few seconds with Black and white dead bodies on the courthouse grounds. The remaining Blacks retreated back to Black Wall Street, hotly pursued by whites. Rumors circulated that Blacks would be arriving by railcar from Muskogee to reinforce those from Tulsa. Planes flew overhead, dropping bombs on Black Wall Street property and firing rifles on running Black residents. Some residents hid in the local churches. The First Presbyterian Church and the Catholic Holy Family Cathedral, both of which serviced white congregation, opened their doors to help escaping victims.

The Aftermath No one truly knows how many people died during this race riot. Some report that 9 whites died and 21 Blacks. Some report that 10 whites and 26 Blacks died. Still eyewitnesses declared that there was a rush to bury the bodies to hide the shameful statistics, and no records were kept. In the aftermath, ALL of Black Wall Street was burned to the ground, and the riots were quickly erased from Oklahoma’s history. Only recently, through the efforts of many scholars, has it been acknowledged as a real event. No one truly knows how many people died during this race riot. Some report that 9 whites died and 21 Blacks. Some report that 10 whites and 26 Blacks died. Still eyewitnesses declared that there was a rush to bury the bodies to hide the shameful statistics, and no records were kept. In the aftermath, ALL of Black Wall Street was burned to the ground, and the riots were quickly erased from Oklahoma’s history. Only recently, through the efforts of many scholars, has it been acknowledged as a real event.

The Aftermath Continued Dick Rowland was escorted out of town safely, and was never harmed. White residents attempted to get what they wanted: the land of Greenwood Village. They appointed W. Tate Brady, a card-carrying member of the KKK over the Tulsa Real Estate Exchange Commission, and then enacted several city ordinances to rezone Greenwood as an industrial area. However, the plan NEVER moved forward. B.C. Franklin argued the case before the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. It was declared unconstitutional. Dick Rowland was escorted out of town safely, and was never harmed. White residents attempted to get what they wanted: the land of Greenwood Village. They appointed W. Tate Brady, a card-carrying member of the KKK over the Tulsa Real Estate Exchange Commission, and then enacted several city ordinances to rezone Greenwood as an industrial area. However, the plan NEVER moved forward. B.C. Franklin argued the case before the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. It was declared unconstitutional.

Continued Racial Reconciliation for Tulsa, Oklahoma A commission was formed in 1996 to study the cause of the race riot and to recommend healing. The commission recommended reparations for the remaining survivors, reparations for the descendants of victims, a memorial, college scholarships, and establishment of an economic development zone. Of course the survivors and descendants were not given reparations. However, there was a scholarship fund established, an economic development zone recognized in Greenwood, and a memorial. A commission was formed in 1996 to study the cause of the race riot and to recommend healing. The commission recommended reparations for the remaining survivors, reparations for the descendants of victims, a memorial, college scholarships, and establishment of an economic development zone. Of course the survivors and descendants were not given reparations. However, there was a scholarship fund established, an economic development zone recognized in Greenwood, and a memorial.

So what caused the riots of Black Wall Street? After so much study, historians have concluded…..

They don’t know. More than likely jealousy.