Podcast Summary
Thriving African American Community in Greenwood, Oklahoma Turned into a Nightmare: The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed a prosperous African American community, erasing its history and causing widespread loss and trauma.
Greenwood, Oklahoma's African American community in the early 20th century was a thriving, prosperous area filled with businesses, professionals, and a vibrant culture. It was an African American version of the American dream, with a variety of businesses, from restaurants and grocery stores to movie theaters and real estate offices. However, on May 31, 1921, this dream turned into a nightmare when a white mob, fueled by a false rumor, rioted and murdered hundreds of black residents and destroyed their homes and businesses. The aftermath saw a systematic attempt to erase the massacre from history, with records disappearing and news accounts being suppressed. This tragic event is a reminder of the devastating impact of racial violence and the importance of preserving history.
Prosperous African American Community in Tulsa, Oklahoma: Before the Tulsa Race Massacre, Greenwood District thrived as a prosperous African American community due to employment opportunities in the oil industry, leading to the establishment of successful businesses and wealth accumulation.
The Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, also known as Black Wall Street, was a thriving African American community in the early 1900s, thanks to the oil industry. Despite facing segregation and discrimination in the white community, black residents found employment and good pay, leading them to invest in businesses within their own community. The success of these businesses, such as JB Stratford's hotel, contributed to the wealth and stability of Greenwood. However, this prosperity was short-lived as tensions between black and white communities escalated, leading to the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. It's important to remember that the period before the massacre was marked by significant racial tension nationwide, with violent attacks on prosperous black communities being a common occurrence during that time.
Racial tensions in the 1920s: The Tulsa Race Riot: Incendiary media reports fueled racial violence in Tulsa, Oklahoma, resulting in the destruction of a prosperous African American community and the deaths of hundreds.
The era of the 1920s was marked by racial tensions, and an incident in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921, illustrates this volatile climate. Dick Rowland, an African American shoeshiner, was falsely accused of assaulting a white elevator operator, Sarah Page. The local newspaper's inflammatory editorial calling for Rowland's lynching sparked a mob of whites to gather outside the courthouse. When African American World War I veterans arrived to protect the courthouse, a confrontation ensued, leading to the deadliest incident of racial violence in American history. The riots that followed resulted in the destruction of the Greenwood District, a thriving African American community, and the deaths of hundreds of people. This tragic event underscores the dangerous consequences of racial prejudice and the power of the media to incite violence.
The Tulsa Race Massacre: A Violent Rampage Against the African American Community: The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 resulted in significant fatalities, injuries, and destruction of Greenwood, a thriving African American district. Despite the devastating impact, proper acknowledgement and memorialization have been lacking.
The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 went beyond the initial incident and turned into a violent rampage against the African American community. Hundreds, if not thousands, of white people formed mobs and indiscriminately attacked African Americans, resulting in significant fatalities and injuries. The destruction of Greenwood, a thriving African American district, was extensive, with reports of airplanes dropping firebombs adding to the devastation. The exact death toll remains disputed, but it's clear that the event left a lasting impact on the community, with many accounts and evidence being erased from history. The destruction and loss of life were significant, and the lack of proper acknowledgement and memorialization is a sad reminder of the erasure of difficult truths from history.
The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 was actively suppressed for decades: Despite its significance, the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 was suppressed for nearly 50 years, with schools, researchers, and even survivors avoiding discussion. It wasn't until modern technology and renewed interest that the truth was uncovered.
The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 was actively suppressed and erased from history for nearly 50 years. Both in the white and African American communities, there was a conscious effort to avoid discussing the traumatic events. Schools in Oklahoma did not teach the history accurately, and researchers faced threats to their jobs and lives. Even massacre survivors, many of whom were still suffering from PTSD, chose not to burden their families with the past. It wasn't until the late 1990s that a commission was organized to investigate the massacre, but political obstacles halted the progress. It wasn't until the fall of 2020, during the centennial anniversary, that archaeologists and historians finally discovered a mass grave using radar technology. The suppression of this history is a stark reminder of the importance of acknowledging and confronting our past, rather than erasing it.
Unearthing Greenwood's Past: An Archaeological Investigation: Anthropologists use bone analysis to identify individuals and contribute to the historical narrative of Greenwood and its heroes, including researcher Phoebe's ancestor JB Stratford, who lost his fortune during the Tulsa Massacre.
The ongoing archaeological investigation of the Tulsa Massacre site aims to provide answers about the past, both scientifically and historically. Anthropologists like Phoebe are using bone analysis to determine sex, race, and signs of trauma related to the shootings that occurred during the riot. Phoebe's goal is not only to identify individuals but also to contribute to the story of Greenwood and its heroes, including her own ancestor, JB Stratford. JB was a wealthy man in Greenwood, but he lost his fortune and fled after being falsely charged during the riots. Phoebe's connection to JB adds a personal dimension to her work, making the historical events more meaningful. The ongoing investigation and Phoebe's research are crucial steps in understanding and acknowledging the past and its impact on the present.
The Tulsa Race Massacre's Lasting Impacts on Generational Wealth and Erased History: The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 resulted in over $600 million in lost generational wealth and erased history for Black descendants. Efforts to reclaim the story and seek reparations continue.
The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 had profound generational impacts, particularly in terms of lost wealth and erased history for the descendants of the Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The riot resulted in financial losses estimated to be over $25 million today, but the loss of generational wealth is estimated to be over $600 million. The state of Oklahoma granted an honorary pardon to JB Stratford, one of the most affected entrepreneurs, but his descendants did not regain the fortune lost during the riot. The erasure of the history of the Tulsa Race Massacre has been a long-standing issue, but organizations and individuals are committed to reclaiming the story and advocating for reparations. The documentary "Red Summer" and books like "The Groundbreaking" provide insight into this history and the ongoing search for justice. It's crucial to keep sharing these stories to prevent history from being hidden again.
The Team Behind the Scenes of Overheard at National Geographic: A diverse team of producers, editors, fact checkers, sound designers, and more bring each episode of Overheard at National Geographic to life, delivering an engaging and informative podcast experience with National Geographic's signature storytelling and knowledge.
Learning from this episode of Overheard at National Geographic is the depth and breadth of the team behind the scenes that brings each episode to life. From the producers and editors to the fact checkers and sound designers, every role plays a crucial part in delivering an engaging and informative podcast experience. The team includes Brian Gutierrez, Jacob Pinter, Laura Sim, Alana Strauss, Carla Wills, Eli Chen, Devar Ardelan, Julie Beer, Robin Palmer, Honsdale Hsu, Thomas Ryan, and Joshua Thomas. With National Geographic's editorial director, Susan Goldberg, and host Amy Briggs leading the way, listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of storytelling and knowledge. The music and sound design further enhance the listening experience, making each episode a true production of National Geographic Partners.
