Tulsa Greenwood District and Black History Month (Commerce, Howe: homes, neighborhood)

[Howest2008]

Tulsa Oklahoma African American Cultural , Achievements , Highlights
and The Greenwood District of Tulsa "The Black Wall Street Of America.

The Black Wall Street - Tulsa, Oklahoma



Greenwood, Tulsa, Oklahoma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

-words by Sharon Jenkins

In the 1900's Tulsa, OK was the land of milk and honey for North Tulsa African Americans. Jim Crow laws and segregation limited African Americans to the north side of town for transacting business and living accommodations. As a result according to Reuben Gant, President of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, “Black folks found it necessary to create a city within a city.” Over 300 African American businesses were developed for that purpose. It became the most affluent African American neighborhood in the nation.

[gypsy2]

Thanks for this bit of the Greenwood District history. I visited Tulsa in '09 and liked it..

[TulsaArtist]

I believe I read somewhere that the area was not called the Black Wallstreet before the fire, but afterwards when the area was rebuilt to be even better than it was before. It was after the terrible fire that the area reached the height of its cultural and economic boom. The race riot was indeed a horrible part of our history, but the history that I dont know much about and dont understand is what really happened to cause the "second destruction" which almost wiped out the area completely and forever. I know what happened around the time of the riot, and whats happening there today, but for me there is this missing historical gap in the middle. I cant help but wonder if that missing story perhaps has just as many, if not more, valuable "lessons to be learned" than even the first.

[briansgi]

If you love Tulsa I encourage everyone to go buy "The Burning". It's an awesome book that details Tulsa during this period of time. You will come away with a deeper respect for the individuals that were affected by the race riots.

[gypsy2]

This is a part of Tulsa history that I'd like to know more about. Will be checking back for other posts. :-)
Reflection of the past is important in understanding our present and future.

[gypsy2]

Originally Posted by briansgi

If you love Tulsa I encourage everyone to go buy "The Burning". It's an awesome book that details Tulsa during this period of time. You will come away with a deeper respect for the individuals that were affected by the race riots.

briansgi, I checked out Google books. I see that the "The Burning" was removed from the History category. I wonder why. Sampled a few pages of "Riot and Remembrance: America's Worst Race Riot and Its Legacy" By James S. Hirsch, that looks interesting also.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by gypsy2

Thanks for this bit of the Greenwood District history. I visited Tulsa in '09 and liked it..

Thanks for your input gypsy2 I'm glad to hear that your visit to Tulsa
in 2009 came together and was very enjoyable.

[buzzpost]

Many African Americans moved to Oklahoma in the years before and after 1907, which is the year when Oklahoma became a state. Oklahoma represented change and provided a chance for African Americans to get away from slavery and the harsh racism of their previous homes.[1] Most of them traveled from the states in the south where racism was very prevalent, and Oklahoma offered hope and provided all people with a chance to start over. They traveled to Oklahoma by wagons, horses, trains, and even on foot.

It is SO sad that these people, who were fleeing racism ended up being involved in perhaps the greatest race riot (and perpetrated by whites) in history. They built a prosperous new community that was destroyed and never fully recovered. So many lives destroyed, and not only their lives but many of the lives of their children and grandchildren.

I hope Tulsa does the RIGHT thing and rededicates itself to rebuilding this once thriving community.

Thank you Howest.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by TulsaArtist

I believe I read somewhere that the area was not called the Black Wallstreet before the fire,

The area was called the Negro Wall Street "before the term Black" was
in vogue sometime during the 1960's to 1970's era.

but afterwards when the area was rebuilt to be even better than it was before. It was after the terrible fire that the area reached the height of its cultural and economic boom. The race riot was indeed a horrible part of our history, but the history that I dont know much about and dont understand is what really happened to cause the "second destruction" which almost wiped out the area completely and forever.

The second blow to Greenwood was THE EXODUS out of the Black
Communities that the Wealthy , Rich and Solid Middle Class Participated
In "During The "Civil Rights Movement" and the"Desegregation Movement"
in America during the 1960's and 1970's.

I know what happened around the time of the riot, and whats happening there today, but for me there is this missing historical gap in the middle. I cant help but wonder if that missing story perhaps has just as many, if not more, valuable "lessons to be learned" than even the first.

The "Powers That Be" decided to not allow another Powerfull Black
Community to develope in the Greenwood District and this has been
going on since the 1920's.

[Howest2008]

Originally Posted by briansgi

If you love Tulsa I encourage everyone to go buy "The Burning". It's an awesome book that details Tulsa during this period of time. You will come away with a deeper respect for the individuals that were affected by the race riots.

Thanks for your input Briansgi and suggestion of the "Burning"...