In Tulsa, Oklahoma 1921, a wave of racial violence destroyed an affluent African-American community, seen as a threat to white-dominated American capitalism.
The scene was the Greenwood District, known as Black Wall Street in 1921. Interestingly enough, this event was 99 years ago on May 31st. The Tulsa Tribune falsely accused and reported that Dick Rowland, a Black man, attempted to rape a white woman, Sarah Paige, without any investigation.
This ignited a two day spark of racial violence and terrorism against the Greenwood community left thirty-five blocks of Black owned businesses and contemporary homes up in flames and/or damaged. An estimated 300 African-Americans were killed and hundreds more were said to be injured, according to reports. In addition to the murders, 9,000 people were left homeless. They also lost a remarkable school system that provided Black children with a superior education. A once thriving community left in shambles.
Rent the feature long film depicting the inhumane events that occured in Tulsa 99 years ago. Directed by, Langston University alumnus, Dekoven Riggins. The film was released late April and is now available for you to enjoy at home on Vimeo.
