SHIZNITTTT
Footballguy
Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the #TulsaRaceMassacre of 1921. Some have rightfully referred to this as the single worst incident of racial violence in American history, but also one most don't know much or anything about. The incident began, as most did at the time, after a young white woman accused a black man of assaulting her in an elevator. He was arrested, even though many police officers did not think he was guilty, and the 17-year old girl did not press charges. Editorials and articles in the Tulsa newspaper sensationalized the incident, incited violence, and made references to a potential lynching of **** Rowland. That night, 50-60 armed black men arrived at the courthouse to protect Rowland. Seeing this, whites took up arms.After a shot was fired at the courthouse, a white mob responded, and within seconds, 2 black men and 10 whites were dead or dying on the street. As news spread, the white mob grew and targeted the African American Greenwood neighborhood.Joining the riot was the local KKK, who tarred any blacks they encountered. The fighting continued throughout the night and into June 1, when whites set Greenwood ablaze. The fire department, responding to the scene was turned away at gunpoint.On June 1, aircraft, whom the police claimed were merely providing reconnaissance to protect the city from a "Negro uprising," began to fire on black crowds and homes, and even dropped bombs and homemade incendiary devices into the neighborhood. By the time the National Guard arrived, more than 6,000 blacks had been arrested, thousands had fled the city, while the number of dead was disputed. The Tulsa newspaper reported 68 black and 9 white dead in their June 2 edition. The NAACP estimated between 150-200 black dead. A 2001 commission estimated between 75-300 dead with more than 800 injured. 10,000 black people were left homeless, and property damage amounted to more than $2.25 million, equivalent to more than $32 million today.