The Tulsa Race War: A Call for Change
1. America’s Worst Riot and Its Legacy
On May 31, 1921, one of the worst riots in American history occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Tulsa Race War, as it came to be called, began when a black man was accused of assaulting a white woman in an elevator. A white mob soon gathered outside the courthouse where the man was being held, demanding that he be turned over to them.
The black community of Tulsa, fearing for their lives, armed themselves and went to the courthouse to protect the man. A gunfight broke out between the two groups, and soon the entire city was engulfed in violence. When it was over, more than 300 people were dead, more than 5,000 were injured, and over 1,000 homes and businesses had been destroyed.
The Tulsa Race War was one of the most racially segregated events in American history. White and black citizens lived in separate areas of the city, attended different schools, and even had different hospitals. The only time they interacted with each other was when they worked together.
In the years after the riot, both white and black citizens kept the memory of that night alive. For whites, it was a reminder of the dangers of black equality; for blacks, it was a reminder of the violence and racism they faced on a daily basis.
2. Segregation and Riots
Segregation is the practice of separating people based on their race or ethnicity. It is often used to maintain power structures within a society. In the United States, segregation has been used to keep white people in positions of power and privilege while denying black people access to education, employment, and basic human rights.
Riots are often a result of segregation. When people are denied their basic rights and treated unfairly, they may lash out in anger and violence. This can lead to death and destruction, as we saw in Tulsa.
3. The Tulsa Race War
The Tulsa Race War began on May 31, 1921, when a black man named Dick Rowland was accused of assaulting a white woman named Sarah Page in an elevator. Page was not seriously injured, butRowland was arrested and taken to jail.
A group of white men soon gathered outside the courthouse where Rowland was being held, demanding that he be turned over to them so they could lynch him. The black community of Tulsa armed themselves and went to the courthouse to protect Rowland from being lynched.
A gunfight broke out between the two groups, and soon the entire city was engulfed in violence. When it was over, more than 300 people were dead, more than 5,000 were injured, and over 1,000 homes and businesses had been destroyed. The Tulsa Race War was one of the most racially segregated events in American history. Afterward both white and black citizens kept memory of that night alive. For whites it became a symbol of what could happen if blacks achieved equality ; for blacks it represented ongoing violence and racism. Segregation creates an environment where riots can occur. When people are denied their basic rights, they may lash out in anger. This can lead to death and destruction, as we saw in Tulsa.
4. James S. Hirsch
James S. Hirsch is the author of “Riot and Remembrance: America’s Worst Riot and Its Legacy.” Hirsch is a former reporter for The New York Times and the author of several books, including “Worth Dying For: The Power and Politics of Flags.”
Hirsch’s book tells the story of the Tulsa Race War and its legacy. He interviews people who were alive during the riot and their descendants. Hirsch also discusses the continued segregation in Tulsa and how it has affected the city’s residents.
“Riot and Remembrance” is an important book that sheds light on a dark moment in American history. It is a reminder of the violence and racism that black Americans have faced for generations. It is also a call for change, for justice, and for equality.
Conclusion:
The Tulsa Race War was one of the worst riots in American history. It was a reminder of the violence and racism that black Americans have faced for generations. Segregation creates an environment where riots can occur. When people are denied their basic rights, they may lash out in anger. This can lead to death and destruction, as we saw in Tulsa.