In the early 1900s, Tulsa, Oklahoma had a real-life Wakanda. Dubbed “Black Wall Street,” the Greenwood District was a self-contained hub of Black excellence with thriving schools, successful businesses, and beautiful homes.
Of course, whenever we find success on our own without white involvement, there’s white jealousy and hatred ready to step in and ruin everything.
On June 1, 1921, an angry white swarm pillaged and burned the Greenwood District to the ground, killing hundreds and destroying thousands of homes and businesses. Some people were never found.
This hideous chapter of Oklahoma history got swept under the rug in schools, either getting whitewashed as a side note in the state’s history or completely ignored.
But two Black politicians demanded the truth be told, so an atrocity like this would never happen again.
They passed legislation requiring all Oklahoma high schools to teach the truth about the Tulsa Massacre in a pilot program. They even mandated all high schools have free teaching resources to tell the story.
Much more healing and reparations are needed for this savagery, but this is a good move.
When we teach the truth about violence against our people, we get one step closer to ensuring we have the tools to fight against hatred steeped on us all too often.