May 31, 20214 min read

America's Broken Promise: Equality

Equality - noun

the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.

Today is the 100th commemoration of the Tulsa Massacre in the community of Greenwood in Oklahoma. This area was known as Black Wall Street because of the wealth and Black infrastructure they built, making their average income higher than many other Blacks in the country.

The Greenwood District in 1921 –

Greenwood was an affluent Black community whose land, originally purchased by Ottawa W. Gurley in 1906, a Black real estate mogul from Arkansas, and demanded that the land only be parceled out to Black people. His exact words "only to be sold to colored." While there were other areas in the country where Black communities soared, the Greenwood community in Tulsa was home to the only Black hospital in the state. It housed prominent Black physicians, schools, educators, attorneys, grocery stores, restaurants, banks, and many other small businesses, creating unmatched Black self-sustaining infrastructure. And while many Black people still worked for white companies, they spent their money on Black Wall Street, reinforcing their community.

What Happened?

We will never know what really happened, but many suspect that during Memorial Day weekend in 1921, Dick Rowland, a Black shoe shiner, stepped on the foot of Sarah Page, a white 17-year-old elevator operator to which she screamed in pain. When other "witnesses" heard the scream, the assumption was made that Mr. Rowland had sexually assaulted Sarah. That assumption was false and was proven by Sarah's admission. The damage of the rumor had been done, and a news article released the next day prompted an angry white mob to converge on the courthouse where Mr. Rowland was being held. When word reached the Greenwood District, several Black men, armed, went to offer their assistance to the police to protect Mr. Rowland. They were turned away and assured that Mr. Rowland would be protected.

The scenario repeated itself hours later, with more angry terrorists appearing and more Black men coming to protect. During this last encounter of the two groups, a white man attempted to disarm a Black man, and the gun was discharged. A gunfight was then in action in front of the courthouse. After the initial fight, it's believed over 20 people were killed, but that was just the beginning. The white terrorists quickly began to descend upon the Greenwood District (known to be Black Tulsa) and start the additional reign of terror. Businesses and homes were looted and burned to the ground. People were murdered in the street, and those that weren't murdered were "captured" and held in internment camps (the freaking audacity). Many Black Tulsans attempted to defend their homes, but they were outnumbered by the white terrorists, who also had many police officers and National Guard members on their side. Attacks were being made against the Greenwoods community from land and air as airplanes owned by White Tulsans flew over the community, shooting and dropping explosives.

The Aftermath

The terror continued for over 24 hours, leaving the Greenwood District completely destroyed with over $35 million in today's dollars in damage, and an estimated 300 people were killed; those that survived not only had mental anguish to deal with but the sad reality that their life as they knew it would never be the same again. This community was the foundation for generational wealth to come, but of course, that was decimated by white folk. Some people could rebuild their businesses and homes after being released from the internment camps or coming out of hiding in the woods/fields. The rebuilding efforts were fruitful for many but for some, the emotional trauma was too much to bear and they moved out of Tulsa to start again elsewhere.

Terror Continues

While white mobs aren't storming through Black neighborhoods, they are storming the capital. The mobs of today also wear police uniforms and hold political offices. The terror that reigns supreme today is one that this country is not interested in rectifying. White Americans are still free to kill Black people at will without real fear of severe consequences. We can see and experience this racism in everything from our healthcare system to our justice system. Every system in existence in this country is riddled with racism that focused primarily on Black people. This is the crippling effect of White Supremacy that we must fight hard to dismantle.

Generational Wealth

This topic has been discussed more frequently in recent years. What does it mean, though? Many Black Americans work a 9-5 their whole lives and then retire and live off their social security, pension, and retirement plans. One they pass, a life insurance policy (if they have one) is dispersed to the beneficiary, usually enough to bury the loved one and pay off a few minor debts. THIS IS NOT GENERATIONAL WEALTH. As a community and culture, the idea of "leaving something" for our children and children's children is only attainable if we receive the capital we are entitled to and deserve and invest that money into new businesses and community ventures.

The survivors and descendants of Black people killed not just during the Tulsa Massacre, but all the atrocious events in Black American history are entitled to reparations. The American government has made it virtually impossible for us to create this wealth at the same rate and way white Americans can.

What You Can Do…

Buy from Black businesses consistently. Not just during Black History month or when a new wave of atrocities against Black people is trending. Most small Black business owners pour their money not only back into their business but purchase from, network with and support other Black-owned businesses.
Stop voting along party lines and start demanding accountability. Not every Democrat is genuinely in support of rectifying Black trauma and institutional racism. Pay attention.
Stop believing that "minority" means Black. IT DOES NOT! The minority grouping encompasses our LatinX, Asian/Island Pacificer brothers and sisters, AND WHITE WOMEN. When you support these groups geared towards minority efforts, ask what percentage of funding or investment goes directly to the Black community.
Use your voice. Use your platform. We very much are a society of sheep, and I say that in the most respectful yet disrespectful way possible. Original thoughts are few, far, and in between, meaning people need to be fed what to think or how to be informed. Positively use your platform to assist those that need the information.
Educate yourself. To be a responsible conduit of information, you must first be informed.

We honor those who have lost their lives, not in the pursuit of happiness but simply trying to survive.