The Tulsa Race Massacre and Its Legacy: A Lecture Overview
Introduction to the Subject
Date and Context: May 31st, 1 21, brought the Tulsa Race Massacre in Greenwood, a black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Impact: Over 35 blocks of the black community were devastated by a white mob, resulting in the loss of lives, homes, and businesses.
Personal Accounts of Survivors
Viola Ford Fletcher
Background: Survived the Tulsa Race Massacre; celebrated her 107th birthday recently.
Experiences: Family was driven out from home, witnessed smoke, fire, and violence in Greenwood.
Call for Justice: Emphasized that the massacre and its impact are not forgotten by survivors and descendants.
Hughes Van Ellis
Age: 100 years old.
Survivor's Plea: Echoed the need for justice for Greenwood’s destruction.
Leslie Evelyn Benningfield Randall
Survival Story: Emotional recount of the need for justice and recognition of their struggles.
Historical Witness: Held memories of blissful childhood interrupted by violence.
Historical Impact and Consequences
Extent of Destruction
Casualties: At least 300 killed and 10,000 displaced with no proper burial or recognition of graves.
Property Damage: 1,200 homes destroyed and substantial financial losses amounting to nearly $200 million in today’s value.
Institutional Damage: Ongoing redlining, failed insurance claims, and systemic exclusion from rebuilding efforts.
Modern-Day Echoes
Contemporary Parallels: Continued acts of white supremacy and violence, including attacks on state and national capitals.
Message for Future: The need for organized effort to prevent such events and cater to the descendants of these atrocities.
Healing From Trauma: Expert Opinions
Epigenetic Impact
Trauma Passed Down: Physical embodiment of ancestral trauma, reactivated through continuous systemic oppression.
Resma Menakem’s Insights
Acknowledgement: Importance of recognizing past and ongoing trauma for healing within black communities.
Community Collaboration: Building resources and support within the community as a way to fight systemic constructs.
Panel Discussions
Cultural Memory and Miseducation: Importance of educating future generations about such historical events despite state-imposed restrictions.
Commemoration versus Justice
Commission Work and Criticisms
Centennial Commission’s Shortcomings: Disputes over correct historical terms, like changing "riot" to "massacre," and failure to adequately engage with the community.
Importance of Representation: Ensuring survivors and descendants are properly represented in commemorations and receive tangible reparative support.