An Oklahoma court closes the door to judicial reparations for the 1921 Tulsa massacre
An Oklahoma court has ruled that it prevents judicial redress for the Tulsa massacre of 1921. This massacre took place when a mob of white men, with the help of the police, destroyed an entire black neighborhood in Tulsa. More than 1,200 homes were destroyed and around 300 people were killed. In addition, many others were injured and thousands had to flee. Unfortunately, this episode was hidden by official history and was not investigated until many decades later. Only in 2021, when the centenary was reached, was this tragedy widely publicized. Despite everything, no one has been held responsible for these crimes and the last claim of two survivors, aged 109 and 110, against the State, has been dismissed.
Greenwood: A thriving, self-sufficient black neighborhood
The Greenwood neighborhood, where the Tulsa massacre took place, was an example of success and prosperity compared to other black neighborhoods. This area was known as Black Wall Street (Black Wall Street) and was characterized by being a prosperous and self-sufficient black neighborhood. There were over 300 businesses, two theaters, movie theaters, restaurants, and a wide variety of black businessmen, doctors, pharmacists, and even millionaires. This prosperity was one of the reasons why the whites did not tolerate the presence of blacks and decided to destroy the neighborhood.
Racist crimes in the United States
The Tulsa massacre of 1921 is not an isolated case, but is part of an era of abundant racist crimes in the United States. However, the case of Greenwood is particularly significant because of its prosperity and autonomy compared to other black neighborhoods. This tragedy highlights the intolerance and racism that existed at that time, where blacks were considered inferior and were not allowed to thrive. This racist mentality still has repercussions today and makes us reflect on the attitudes that still persist in our society.
Parallels with the present day
This tragedy leads us to reflect on current attitudes and whether there are still parallels with the past. Although circumstances have changed, there are still situations where certain people or groups are discriminated against or marginalized. It is important to work towards a fairer and more equal society, where everyone has the same opportunities and rights. We must remember history so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past and fight against racism and discrimination in all its forms.