May 31, 2021 10:30pm marked the 100 year anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre. Witnessing this day in Tulsa, Oklahoma along with the events that preceded this night will forever be one of the most privileged experiences of my life. 

On May 31, 1921, a white mobs attacked the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma known as Black Wall Street. The Greenwood district was a thriving financial paradise for black entrepreneurs who relocated from the south and surrounding areas to develop a place where black people could thrive. Black Wall Street had black owned salons, movie theaters, hotels, schools and more. The community of Greenwood created an economy of trade and services among black people that was completely independent of white business that were often racist towards blacks. 

At 10:30pm on May 31, 1921, a white mob  which included law enforcement officers and local politicians attacked the Greenwood area with gunfire, bombings and setting the area on fire. An estimated 300 blacks were killed however, the exact numbers are still unclear as recent Tulsa News reports findings of mass graves in 2021 from the massacre in 1921. The 36 blocks of Greenwood district was completely destroyed and many blacks were placed in internment camps. No one was ever brought to justice for the crimes committed against the residents of Greenwood. 

To honor those lost on the 100 year anniversary of the massacre, local Tulsans coordinated events over several days until the day of the anniversary. 

Saturday May 29th

The Greenwood Art Project held the Centennial Black Wall Street Heritage Parade.

We as a community had an opportunity to celebrate those survivors and descendent of the massacre along with local black entrepreneurs and philanthropist who are striving to rebuild the Greenwood District.

I watched with gratitude in my heart as Viola “Mother Fletcher” Fletcher one of the last three remaining survivors came riding past us on a horse and carriage. She was dolled up in her finest which a proud look in her eyes of thankfulness and gratitude towards us onlookers. If only she knew how thankful we were to simply be in her presence if only for a moment. The things she has seen and survived, I can only imagine. Though the remembrance of that day still haunts her 100 years later, we were grateful that she choose to share her journey with us

Saturday’s festivities also included the unveiling of several murals around the Greenwood district that by local artist depicting the massacre. Along with a music festival of local artists such Fire in Little Africa and other artists.

I was most proud to see local black entrepreneurs from all over the state set up pop up shops throughout Archer st and Greenwood. Almost stretching a mile along, was a sea of black entrepreneurs selling various services and goods. For a moment, it was my glimpse of what this area once was. 

https://fireinlittleafrica.com

Monday May 31st THE ANNIVERSARY

This day was quiet and cloudy. We enjoyed sunny weather all weekend but on this day the sun was hidden and the sky was gray. Memorial Day is usually a day where we would enjoy food cooked on a grill, crabs, good music and a game of spades with the family. For the black residents of Tulsa, this day has a different meaning especially on this particular year.

100 years of no charges ever being filed. 100 years of no financial compensation to the victims. 100 years of not resolution. 100 years of what happened being kept secret to most of the public. 10:15pm I drove over to the Greenwood district and walk the streets to join other in a candlelight vigil that would mark the moment the first shot that was fired at 10:30pm on May 31, 1921.

A large crowd gathering in the streets of Archer, Greenwood, and Elgin to support this moment. A diverse group of all different races and ethnicities stood in silence and solidarity as the words “hallelujah”, “Greenwood forever” and “Greenwood rise” sang out.

As if the clouds just knew when, 10:30pm struck and exactly at that moment the rain poured down on us. We all stood there soaked and frozen in that moment as the rain soaked the ground where thousands of black people thrived, the ground where thousands of black bodies lay, and the ground where we the next generation of black entrepreneurs and visionaries stood. There it rained on us.