Overview
This lecture covers the rise, prosperity, and destruction of Greenwood (Black Wall Street) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, emphasizing its origins, community achievements, racial tensions, and the 1921 massacre.
Origins of Greenwood and Black Wall Street
- Greenwood was founded by Black landowners on land considered undesirable by white settlers.
- After the Trail of Tears, freed Black slaves received land allotments in Oklahoma.
- The Dawes Act allowed Black people in Oklahoma to own more land than anywhere else in the US.
- OW Gurley and JB Stradford incubated the Black Greenwood community, selling land only to Black buyers.
- Greenwood quickly grew into a vibrant, self-sufficient Black community with a strong sense of autonomy.
Economic and Social Life in Greenwood
- Greenwood became known as “Black Wall Street” for its economic success and concentration of Black-owned businesses.
- The district featured restaurants, law offices, theaters, hotels, stores, and Black women entrepreneurs.
- Cooperative economics and mutual support were key to Greenwood’s resilience.
- The Dreamland Theater, owned by Loula Williams, was a cultural hub for Black art and artists.
Racial Tensions and Political Activism
- Statehood in Oklahoma brought Jim Crow segregation laws, forcing Black Tulsans to create their own economic systems.
- Black leaders, like AJ Smitherman, used newspapers to advocate for civil rights and political participation.
- Black Wall Street’s prosperity threatened white residents, fueling jealousy and resentment.
- Political organization among Black Tulsans posed a perceived threat to white power structures.
The 1921 Tulsa Massacre
- Tensions escalated after Dick Rowland, a Black shoeshine boy, was accused of assaulting a white woman.
- White mobs gathered, incited by inflammatory news articles, intending to lynch Rowland.
- Black World War I veterans attempted to protect Rowland, leading to armed conflict.
- White mobs, deputized by police, attacked Greenwood, burning homes and businesses.
- The massacre led to the destruction of the Greenwood district, devastating the community.
Aftermath and Legacy
- Survivors faced lasting trauma and silence about the massacre to protect future generations.
- Despite devastation, Greenwood businesses rebuilt and thrived again by 1942, but under continued discrimination.
- Black entrepreneurship in Greenwood required ongoing resilience and defiance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Greenwood/Black Wall Street — A prosperous Black district in Tulsa known for economic independence.
- Trail of Tears — The forced migration of Native Americans and enslaved Blacks to Oklahoma.
- Dawes Act — Law that divided tribal lands into individual allotments.
- Jim Crow laws — Segregation laws enforcing racial separation and disadvantage.
- Tulsa Massacre (1921) — Violent attack by white mobs destroying Black Wall Street.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the next lecture on the long-term legacy of Black Wall Street.
- Prepare for a discussion on the role of Black entrepreneurship and resilience in US history.