Greenwood, Oklahoma…
…And History
No site in America provides a more haunting reminder of the danger of censoring our history than Greenwood, Oklahoma.
Just over a century ago, an angry white mob destroyed this thriving neighborhood in Tulsa, then known as Black Wall St. The violence killed hundreds, and robbed generations of a future their forbears had built for them.
For years, it was labeled as a “race riot”—a classic “both sides” of a horrific and deadly, racist attack on a thriving Black community. Survivors were afraid to talk about what really happened, for fear of violent retribution, so their stories were largely lost. And it’s too rarely taught in schools, like so much other violence that’s taken place in our nation whenever Black Americans have succeeded politically or economically.
I visited Tulsa this weekend to talk to the Oklahoma Democratic Party convention. I’m so glad I did—heard so many insights and inspiring stories about how we battle for democracy, from folks across a state experiencing first-hand the downward spiral of extremism. More on that later.
But this morning, before leaving, I walked down to Greenwood from my hotel. And while it was closed, I was thrilled to see the sparkling new center: “Greenwood Rising—Black Wall St. Historic Center.”
Adorning one side is the perfect James Baldwin quote on why it’s so important that we teach and face our real history: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
Thank you to those who labored for years to make sure this too-hidden but essential history will now be told.
I applaud Tulsa's efforts, the new center, and your decision to write about this! A few years ago, I produced a podcast series for Wondery's American History Tellers on the Tulsa Race Massacre. Doing that work was life-changing. I followed it with a TEDx talk about how life-changing it was and the importance of bringing oppressed history to light wherever and whenever possible. As your commenter Kimberlee Jakobe writes, "Greenwood...is American history—our history."
I grew up west of Atlanta, in a little town just miles from where MLK taught his famous sermons. History wasnt taught accurately --even then. I grew up ignorant and it was a struggle to learn truth as I grew.
History should be taught so we can grow in truth and heal our wounds--not cover them with scar tissue and lies.
Greenwood isn't only Black History, it's American history--our history.