Shattering a Century of Silence: The DOJ Finally Investigates the 1921 Tulsa Massacre 

In the early hours of June 1, 1921, a piercing whistle shattered the quiet of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was the signal for a devastated premeditated attack on Greenwood, a thriving African American community. As dawn broke, chaos and terror swept through the streets. Families fled in panic, their homes and businesses reduced to ashes. This horrific event, known as the Tulsa Massacre, was not just a riot—it was a calculated act of domestic terrorism aimed at destroying Black prosperity and autonomy on American soil.

The massacre was a direct assault on Black liberation, an attempt to quash the economic and social advancements of African Americans. Greenwood, often referred to as “Black Wall Street,” symbolized the holy grail for Black excellence, self-sufficiency, and success. The attack was designed to instill fear and maintain white supremacy by violently dismantling this collective of Black excellence.

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From May 31 through June 1, 1921, white mobs murdered scores of African Americans and ransacked, razed and burned homes, businesses and churches in Tulsa’s Black community of Greenwood. NMAAHC, gift of Cassandra P. Johnson Smith

 

Today, as the Department of Justice finally investigates this atrocity, we stand on the brink of long-overdue justice. This investigation is not just about uncovering the truth; it’s about acknowledging the resilience and strength of the Black community. It’s about honoring the legacy of those who fought for liberation and ensuring that such acts of hateful terror are never forgotten or repeated.

The survivors’ relentless pursuit of justice underscores the deep-seated inequities that continue to plague our legal system. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the racist terrorism committed, the survivors and their descendants have faced insurmountable barriers in their quest for justice and accountability. The systemic racist barriers embedded in the judicial system has consistently thwarted their efforts, reflecting a broader pattern of covert injustice that extends far beyond Tulsa.

The massacre’s aftermath saw the survivors not only grappling with the immediate loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods but also with the long-term psychological trauma, erasure, and economic disenfranchisement. The destruction of Greenwood was a deliberate attempt to erase Black success and instill fear, ensuring that the survivors and their descendants would remain lost in history.

Scott Ellsworth, a white native of Tulsa, explained that while Black families remained silent about the massacre to shield their loved ones from further trauma, white politicians, law enforcement officials, and even some newspapers engaged in an active cover-up. Official records were destroyed or stolen, and articles were cut out of bound volumes of newspapers in an effort to sanitize the history and protect the city’s image after the massacre made headlines worldwide.

As the Department of Justice finally takes steps to investigate the Tulsa Massacre, it is crucial to recognize that this is just the beginning. Even though criminal charges will not be pursued, enhancement have been made to the cold case unit of the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act. True justice requires more than just an acknowledgment of past wrongs; it demands concrete actions to address the ongoing impacts of systemic racism. This includes careful and full transparent consideration of reparations for the survivors and their descendants, as well as comprehensive reforms to dismantle the structures of inequality that persist today.

So why did it take over a century for the DOJ to initiate this probe? The answer lies in a combination of systemic racism, historical amnesia, and a lack of political will. For too long, the stories of Black suffering and resilience have been marginalized, deemed inconvenient truths in a nation that often prefers to celebrate its progress rather than confront its past.

Racial animosity has played a significant role in this prolonged silence. The same forces of white supremacy that fueled the massacre also worked tirelessly to erase it from history. This was not just a matter of Jim Crow laws enforcing racial segregation and disenfranchisement; it was also about Jane Crow, the insidious gendered racism that compounded the oppression of Black women.

The survivors of the Tulsa Massacre and their descendants have faced a century of systemic barriers designed to deny them justice. Their relentless pursuit of accountability has been met with indifference, legal roadblocks, and outright hostility. Yet, their unwavering determination has kept the memory of Greenwood alive and highlighted the ongoing struggle for Black liberation.

As we stand at the center of this long-overdue investigation, it is crucial to recognize that true justice requires more than just uncovering the truth. It demands a commitment to addressing the systemic racism that allowed such atrocities to occur and persist. This includes providing reparations to the survivors and their descendants, as well as implementing comprehensive reforms to dismantle the structures of inequality that continue to oppress Black communities.

The investigation into the Tulsa Massacre is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. It offers an opportunity to confront the painful truths of our past and to take meaningful steps towards healing and reconciliation. By honoring the legacy of those who fought for Black liberation and continuing their work, we can build a more just and equitable future for all.

In the words of Anneliese M. Bruner, “There’s a lot of information that I’m learning about my great-grandfather, about my family, and it really is mind-blowing.” This investigation is not just about the past; it’s about acknowledging the resilience and strength of the Black community and ensuring that such acts of terror are never forgotten or repeated. It’s about building a future where justice is truly for all, and where the voices of the oppressed are finally heard and honored.