Introduction
The race distinction in America where the white-skinned man treated the blacks, the erstwhile niggers, as slaves is well known. The American Civil War restored the image of blacks as humans and not beasts or slaves. This was hardly true in many American States till mid-20th century, where a yawning chasm had existed between the two around early 20th century. Differences between the two races would generally lead to riots or lynching, with the blacks being on the losing end. Probably the worst case of racial violence in American history, the Tulsa race riot of 1921 is a case in point.
The Simmering Discontent
When WW I veterans returned home in early 1919, they found fewer than expected jobs, as a number of menial and lower-level jobs had been taken over by blacks, creating social tension. This anti-black syndrome was defied by black soldiers also returning from WW I, claiming post-war equality in job opportunity. In certain States, this led to the rise of the vicious Ku Klux Klan II, with ideologies similar to KKK I, i.e., extremism, white supremacy and nationalism and racism manifested as terrorism. The blacks–African Americans–resisted such attacks, mainly when lynching was feared.
In 1921, Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a modernized city with a seventy-two thousand strong population. The blacks, numbering around ten thousand, had settled in an all-black zone, Greenwood District, forced by an edict passed by the State Government, which had drafted many laws segregating the two races. The blacks were not permitted to vote till 1965! Their determination to succeed had elevated Greenwood District to the richest colored district in America, something that local whites found unacceptable. This was the scene in May 1921.
How it Started
On May 30, 1921, the American Memorial Day, a 19-year old black shoeshine boy named Dick Rowland entered the elevator of one Drexler Building, manned by a 17-year old white girl named Sarah Page who he knew. A girl’s scream was heard shortly thereafter and Rowland seen running out of the building. Page looked distraught and the whites assumed the worst and spread word about this incident, though an official report in 2000 felt that Rowland had only tripped and touched Page.
Page stated that she wouldn’t file charges, but Rowland was arrested next morning and lodged in a relatively secure jail atop the courthouse by a prudent Sheriff. The mischief maker was the white-owned newspaper, The Tulsa Tribune, which sensationalized the incident and spoke of a possible lynching that evening. By sunset, hundreds of whites reached the courthouse and asked for Rowland, but were turned back by the Sheriff. The blacks saw this gathering of whites and also started gathering, led by armed WW I veterans. The whites returned home and about 2,000 were back with arms in an hour. Sounds of shots were heard and in Greenwood, word spread that whites had laid siege to the courthouse.
The Siege
Armed blacks took up the cause for Rowland and by midnight, started to exchange fire with the whites, who began to push them back into Greenwood. On reaching Greenwood, the whites started to torch the district, forcing unarmed and petrified families to come out and try to escape. Indiscriminate firing led to the death of many residents. Sheer numbers of armed whites forced the blacks to retreat, watching Greenwood District being looted and burned. Ancient biplanes started to drop small bombs into the area and, after daylight, into fleeing black groups. The one-sided fight carried on till brought under control by State troops by noon, 1st June. Most of Greenwood District had been razed to the ground.
The Aftermath
· Casualties: The figures of those killed and injured vary, depending on the source. Source notwithstanding, the accepted figures are nine whites killed and 800 injured versus three hundred blacks killed and up to 2,000 injured.
· Damage to Property: Commercial Greenwood District destroyed. 1,256 homes burned, 215 looted.
· Real Estate Costs: $1.5 million plus $750,000 worth of personal property. At 2013 rates, this amounts to $23 million.
· Riot-related Suits Filed: $1.8 million in June 1922. Services of criminal attorneys based in Tulsa were used.
Tulsa Race Riot Commission
The Commission, set up in 1996, reported in 2001 that a Reparations Coalition be established to pay damages to survivors and relatives of those affected. Lawsuits were lodged, through Tulsa criminal attorneys. If you are also one of those affected, you could visit this Tulsa criminal attorney. Their services are available in other scenarios as well.
Image Source: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/95517018/