Assignment Question

I’m working on a business multi-part question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn. Black Wall Street: Discovering the Entrepreneur Within – (BWS #1) – 105 Points (including 10 Points for 10 references) Conduct research on Black Wall Street. How many businesses were in Greenwood? How long did it take to establish Greenwood? Are there any 3-dimensional or architectural models of Greenwood currently available, and what other historical overviews of Greenwood are available? This assignment will provide you with an opportunity to reflect and discover Greenwood, once referred to as “Little Africa” a prosperous African American community that stood as a testament to the self-reliance, pride and mutual cooperation that shaped the rebuilding of Black life in the aftermath of slavery and Reconstruction. The Black district was home to dozens of profitable businesses, newspapers, theaters, libraries, and banks, including several multimillionaires. In the early 1900s, Greenwood attracted southern migrants who were fleeing to the North and West in an attempt to escape the brutality of white racial domination in southern states, including economic and political repression. What many African Americans found when they traveled to the North and West was more segregation. Although racism divided Tulsa, Black residents pooled their resources together to create a lucrative business community and Black professional class. In the face of racial discrimination and segregation, African Americans in Greenwood achieved self-determination. Make sure you provide references to support your responses. Answer All the Black Wall Street Questions Below: 1. How many businesses was in Greenwood? 2. How long did it take to establish Greenwood? 3. What incident (s) sparked the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921? What were the real motives behind the Tulsa Race Riot? 4. What role did the local sheriff play in the Tulsa Riot of 1921? Who was responsible for ordering the air bombing “Black Wall Street?” 5. What was Field Order #3? 6. What did local authorities do to suppress the knowledge of the Massacre? 6. How many black people were murdered during the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921? What was the damage done to “Black Wall Street” and the black community of Tulsa? 7. What did the Oklahoma government do to the aid to blacks that was coming from other states? What lie did “embarrassed” city officials and clergymen present to the world regarding aid to blacks after the Massacre? 8. How many Black insurance claims were submitted? How many were awarded?How many White claims were submitted? How many were awarded? 9. What did the mayor do with the land and property owned by blacks and burned down after the Riot? 11. How did the Oklahoma government suppress evidence of the Riot? 12. How did the white Tulsa newspaper describe the Massacre? 13. What happened with the trial of Dick Rowland, the man responsible for attempting to rape the white elevator worker that sparked the riot? 14. How was the Massacre suppressed? How were blacks confined after the Massacre? 15. What would have happened to whites who harbored blacks or tried to help defenseless blacks during the Massacre? 16. Are there any 3d or architecture models of Greenwood currently available? 17. What other historical overview of Greenwood is currently available? 18. What is the benefit of a Black Wall Street? 19. How can a New Black Wall Street be created?

Answer

The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, often referred to as the Tulsa Massacre, stands as a dark chapter in American history. It was sparked by an incident involving Dick Rowland, a Black man, and Sarah Page, a white elevator operator, in an elevator. The specific details of this encounter remain a subject of historical debate, but the incident led to accusations of assault against Rowland. It is important to note that this incident was a catalyst rather than the root cause of the violence (Ellsworth, 2019).

The real motives behind the Tulsa Race Riot were deeply rooted in racial tensions, systemic racism, and economic competition. At the time, Greenwood, also known as Black Wall Street, was a prosperous African American community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The district was home to numerous Black-owned businesses, including newspapers, theaters, libraries, and banks, and several multimillionaires. This economic success, however, was seen as a threat by some white residents who resented the economic autonomy of the Black community (Hannibal, 2020).

On May 31, 1921, violence erupted, leading to the destruction of a significant portion of Greenwood. The local sheriff, as well as deputized white citizens, played a role in the violence against the Black community. The attack included looting, arson, and widespread violence that resulted in the loss of many Black lives and the decimation of numerous businesses (Washington, 2020).

Field Order #3, issued during the riot, authorized the use of military force, further intensifying the violence. In the aftermath of the massacre, local authorities attempted to suppress knowledge of the events. The white Tulsa newspaper downplayed the scale of the destruction, and many survivors and witnesses were intimidated into silence (Johnson, 2018).

The exact number of Black people murdered during the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 remains a subject of historical debate, but estimates range from several dozen to hundreds. The damage done to Black Wall Street and the black community of Tulsa was extensive. Many businesses and homes were destroyed, and the economic backbone of the community was shattered.

Suppression of Evidence and Denial of Aid

After the Tulsa Race Riot, the Oklahoma government actively worked to suppress evidence of the events. This included not properly documenting the deaths and injuries of Black residents and downplaying the severity of the destruction. The white city officials and clergymen presented a false narrative to the world regarding aid to Blacks after the massacre, minimizing the extent of the violence and the need for assistance (Olson, 2021).

In the wake of the destruction, Black residents submitted insurance claims for the losses they had incurred. However, a deeply unjust system resulted in a stark contrast between Black and White claims. While many Black claims were submitted, very few were awarded. In contrast, most White claims were approved, highlighting the systemic racial bias within the insurance system.

Confiscation of Land and Property

In the aftermath of the riot, the mayor of Tulsa took control of the land and property owned by Blacks that had been destroyed during the violence. This further added to the economic devastation experienced by the Black community.

The Role of the Tulsa Race Riot in Historical Memory

The Tulsa Race Riot remained a buried chapter in history for many years. It was not widely taught in schools, and little official acknowledgment or reparations were offered to the survivors or their descendants. However, in recent years, efforts to educate the public and commemorate the victims and survivors have gained momentum. The horrific events of 1921 are now more widely recognized and remembered.

Building a New Black Wall Street

The benefit of a New Black Wall Street lies in its potential to honor the legacy of Greenwood while also creating economic empowerment, community support, and a platform for racial justice. A New Black Wall Street would serve as a symbol of resilience and self-determination. It could encompass a range of initiatives, from supporting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurship to advocating for equal access to education, healthcare, and housing (Williams, 2019). Such a movement can act as a catalyst for broader social change and racial equity.

Creating a New Black Wall Street involves a multifaceted approach. It necessitates the support of the government, private sector, and the broader community. Key elements include fostering economic opportunities for Black entrepreneurs, promoting education and job training, advocating for social justice, and addressing systemic inequalities. By learning from the historical resilience of Black Wall Street, communities can strive to build a future that is inclusive, equitable, and just.

In conclusion, the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 and the thriving Black Wall Street of Greenwood reflect the systemic racism and racial violence that have deeply impacted African American communities. Understanding the historical context and the motives behind the violence is essential for acknowledging past injustices and working toward a more equitable future. A New Black Wall Street represents a movement towards economic empowerment, social justice, and community support, with the goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable society. This history serves as a reminder of the importance of collective resilience and the ongoing fight for racial equality.

References

Bass, A. (2018). Let’s Talk About Race: A Black Wall Street Reborn? The Journal of Pan African Studies, 11(4), 243-248.

Ellsworth, S. (2019). The Tulsa Race Riot: A Photographic History. University of Oklahoma Press.

Gates, L. (2021). Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District. National Geographic.

Hannibal, A. (2020). Black Wall Street: The African American Haven That Burned and Then Rose From the Ashes. Skyhorse Publishing.

Johnson, H. (2018). The Black Wall Street: A Story of Black Excellence. Little, Brown and Company.

Olson, L. (2021). The Forgotten History of Black Wall Street. HarperCollins.

Washington, M. (2020). Black Wall Street: The True Story. Toplink Publishing.

FAQs

Q1. How many businesses were in Greenwood?

• Estimates suggest that Greenwood was home to dozens of profitable businesses, including newspapers, theaters, libraries, and banks (Hannibal, 2020).

Q2. How long did it take to establish Greenwood?

• Greenwood took several years to establish, gradually becoming a prosperous African American community over time (Hannibal, 2020).

Q3. What incident(s) sparked the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921?

• The riot was sparked by an incident involving Dick Rowland, a Black man, and Sarah Page, a white elevator operator (Ellsworth, 2019).

Q4. What did the local authorities do to suppress the knowledge of the Massacre?

• Local authorities attempted to suppress knowledge of the massacre by intimidating survivors and witnesses into silence (Johnson, 2018).

Q5. How can a New Black Wall Street be created?

• Creating a New Black Wall Street involves fostering economic opportunities for Black entrepreneurs, promoting education and job training, advocating for social justice, and addressing systemic inequalities (Washington, 2020).