Ever since the beginning of the 17th century, people were kidnapped mainly from the African continent and moved to American colonies against their will. It has been an extremely long battle for African Americans to fight slavery and regain their well-deserved rights.
However, despite slavery being a dark yet critical phase of American history, not much is said and heard about the topic. “The Journey from Black Slavery to Black Wall Street: The Tulsa Race Massacre” is a recent publication by Lewis Wilson. The book is his sincere effort to unveil lesser-known information with readers.
The History of Slavery
Forced labor in fields and workshops isn’t something new. But the foundation of slavery in America was laid with the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the 16th century. European traders forcefully loaded young African captives and sold them off to well-off people in the country.
From Senegambia to Angola, Cape, and Mozambique, no place was safe. Over 26% of these slaves were children. And they suffered ruthless treatment at the hands of slave-owners.
These poor people were considered a mere commodity. Not only did they provide free labor for the rich upper-class, but they also had to bear harsh weather and starvation. But these challenges never lowered their spirits and they never lost their desire for freedom.
The Way to Freedom
With industrial growth, slavery began to die out in the Northern states. Freedmen found job opportunities as laborers. Also, due to this freedom, many captured slaves broke out of the clutches of slavery and took shelter in free states.
Civil War
The growing tension led to the Civil War in 1861 where the Union took on Confederacy. The Union states were anti-slavery while 11 Confederate states favored the inhumane slavery of African Americans.
Abraham Lincoln, the then President, issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. This declaration officially abolished slavery. But it took an extended war and a long political fight to apply the law across the country.
Freedmen made up a majority of Union forces. And they played a crucial role in the victory of Government forces. The American Civil War eventually came to end in 1865.
Post-Civil War Era
The Civil War led to the destruction of property and infrastructure. Southern states suffered more devastation where most of the war was fought. But the end of the war brought a ray of hope for a better future. The African American community looked forward to freely working towards a better future.
But the journey was never as easy as it seems. Racial discrimination and segregation were very much there in society. Also, African American men didn’t get the right to vote until 1870. As for Black women, they got their voting rights in 1965.
Dorothy Height to Maya Angelou, Octavius V. Catto, Claudette Colvin, Harriet Jacobs, and many more made their names with their unforgettable impact on the course of history.
In Oklahoma state, the African American community gathered in Tulsa city as a result of segregation. They set up businesses to support the economy and improve their financial situation. With the passage of time, the business community got so wealthy that it earned the name of Black Wall Street.
The thriving Black Wall Street had a wide range of businesses – grocery stores, barber shops, publication houses, schools, legal offices, and whatnot. But the growing economy was destroyed in the blink of an eye as a result of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921.
Tulsa Race Massacre 1921
What started as a wrongful accusation of sexual assault on a young Black man soon turned into a tragic event that destroyed the wealthiest African American community.
A 19-year-old black shoe shiner, Dick Rowland, was accused by a 17-year-old white girl. The police took no time to arrest him but evidence suggested that he wasn’t guilty. Rumors quickly spread that lynching was to take place. When a mob of white men gathered around, another group of 75 Black men reached the station to save the young man.
After a brief clash in which 12 people died, the groups scattered. But the next day, on May 31st, 1921, rioters started setting Black-owned businesses and houses on fire. The massacre and gunfire went on until the next day – June 1st. This painful event led to at least 176 casualties. But it’s estimated that numbers may actually be up to 300 or more.
Countless families lost their livelihoods and the community lost $1.5 million in real estate and $750,000 in personal property losses.
For decades, no one could publicly talk about the events due to KKK threats. But survivors and their descendants tried to bring the truth to light. In 1996, the state government formed Oklahoma Commission to investigate the riots. There have been searches for mass graves too.
Rebuilding the Black Wall Street
The community is coming together to rebuild Black Wall Street in Greenwood District. It will be a long journey to reclaim the wealth and legacy of the brave people of Tulsa. But nothing is impossible if we join hands.
Promoting local talent, culture, and businesses can help us achieve this goal. So, on the 101st anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, let’s pledge to revive the spirit of Black Wall Street and work towards building generation wealth.
To order your copy of “The Journey from Black Slavery to Black Wall Street: The Tulsa Race Massacre” by Lewis T. Wilson visit bit.ly/blackslaveryblackwallstreet. To inquire about bulk purchases, please email pandjpublishing@gmail.com.
