Audiobook

Final Report from the Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921

Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot of 192

The Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma was known as "Black Wall Street" because of the success of its businesses and residents, some of whom were among the wealthiest Black people in the United States. In 1921, white citizens of Tulsa attacked the Greenwood area over two days, burning most of it to the ground and killing many residents. The devastated neighborhood never regained its prosperity and position. The incident was quickly forgotten in the press and not spoken of in the standard histories of Oklahoma. In 1997, the state government of Oklahoma established a commission to study the 1921 riot, including gathering documents and testimony of the elderly survivors, and to produce a report when their work was completed. This report was issued in 2001. - Summary by Colleen McMahon