Читать книгу Freedom Facts and Firsts - Jessie Carney Smith - Страница 108

The greatest period of racial conflict that the nation witnessed came in 1919, when approximately 25 race riots occurred in America’s urban cities. The reign of terror continued beyond that time, though not in the same numbers as seen during the Red Summer of 1919. Prominent among these were the Tulsa Race Riot of June 1921, which set off what has been called the worst race riot in U.S. history. After a 19-year-old black man named Dick Rowland was falsely accused of assaulting a young white woman, other blacks armed themselves and went to the jail to ensure his safety. Later, as tensions mounted, black and white groups engaged in what some called a “race war.” During the 16-hour clash, nine whites and 21 blacks were known to have lost their lives; over 800 people were injured and hospitalized and nearly 10,000 blacks were left homeless. The black community also lost churches, restaurants, stores, two movie theaters, a hospital, a bank, a post office, a library, and schools. The riot shattered the thriving black community known as the Deep Greenwood district, reducing it to ashes. After martial law was set up and the National Guard took control of Tulsa, most of the black residents were under guard; internment centers were set up for blacks, who were then held for civil prosecution. Many blacks deserted Tulsa for cities outside the state. About 20 black men were indicted after the riot, but no whites. No one was jailed. By the end of September 1921, the case against Rowland was dismissed. The Deep Greenwood district was rebuilt but never regained the economic status that it had enjoyed before the riot.

Jessie Carney Smith