Systemic racism and judicial bias remain stubbornly woven into the fabric of America, crippling Black progress and stifling dreams, just as they did a century ago. From police violence to the generational wealth gap, the threads of inequity stretch unbroken from the horrors of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 to the injustices we see today. The refusal to hold institutions accountable, then and now, speaks volumes about a nation’s unyielding betrayal of its Black citizens. Tulsa was not an anomaly; it was a blueprint for the systemic disenfranchisement that continues to haunt Black communities across the country. How many times must we rebuild from the ashes of destruction—both physical and institutional—before America takes responsibility?
The Systemic Roots of Racism: Then and Now
The Tulsa Race Massacre was not just an act of mob violence; it was an organized, state-sanctioned assault on Black prosperity. The DOJ’s 2025 findings make it undeniable: law enforcement, city officials, and even business leaders conspired to obliterate Greenwood, a vibrant community known as “Black Wall Street.” Deputized white mobs, armed by the police, stormed homes and businesses, looting, burning, and killing indiscriminately. Airplanes dropped incendiary bombs while the National Guard rounded up Black survivors into internment camps instead of protecting them.
Fast forward to today, and the parallels are striking. Police brutality disproportionately impacts Black Americans, voter suppression laws aim to silence our voices, and systemic barriers ensure that Black communities remain economically disadvantaged. The cycle of oppression and denial—the same forces that enabled Tulsa—remains alive in every underfunded Black school, every denied mortgage, and every unpunished case of racial violence.
Tulsa’s Devastation: The Destruction of Black Prosperity
Greenwood was a thriving hub of Black economic power. With over 1,000 homes, businesses, schools, and churches, it symbolized what Black Americans could achieve despite segregation and systemic racism. Wealth circulated within the community, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that provided opportunities for generations. But that prosperity became a target.
On May 31, 1921, the false accusation of a Black teenager, Dick Rowland, sparked a firestorm. A mob of over 10,000 white residents, backed by local law enforcement, descended upon Greenwood. By June 1, the entire community was decimated. Hundreds of lives were lost, thousands were left homeless, and millions of dollars in Black wealth went up in flames—all without a single perpetrator held accountable.
The DOJ’s report reveals that Tulsa’s devastation was no accident. It was calculated and deliberate. Law enforcement not only failed to protect Greenwood; they actively participated in its destruction. Insurance companies denied claims under “riots” clauses, leaving survivors with no way to rebuild. Promised government aid never arrived. The massacre was followed by decades of silence, erasing Greenwood’s legacy from history books and ensuring that justice would remain out of reach.
Generational Impact: The Economic Devastation of Black Families
The loss of Greenwood’s wealth reverberates across generations. The destruction of property and assets meant that Black families had no inheritance to pass down, while white families in Tulsa and across the country benefitted from the stolen wealth. This dynamic widened the racial wealth gap, which persists today. According to recent studies, the median wealth of white households is nearly eight times that of Black households.
Imagine what Greenwood’s success could have meant for Black America. Greenwood could have served as a model for economic empowerment, inspiring similar communities nationwide. Instead, the massacre sent a chilling message: Black success will be punished. That message echoes in modern policies like redlining, which barred Black families from buying homes in desirable neighborhoods, and predatory lending practices that target Black borrowers. The systemic theft of Black wealth did not end in 1921—it evolved.
Learning From Tulsa: Lessons for Today
The DOJ’s findings are more than a historical reckoning; they are a roadmap for understanding systemic racism today. Here are critical lessons the Black community must take from Tulsa as we continue to fight for justice and economic empowerment:
1. Acknowledge the Systemic Nature of Racism
Tulsa proves that racism is not just about individual acts of hatred—it is systemic. From government complicity in Greenwood’s destruction to modern policies that perpetuate inequality, systemic racism requires systemic solutions. Recognizing this reality is the first step toward dismantling it.
2. Reclaim Economic Power
Greenwood’s strength was its economic independence. Today, we must rebuild that independence by investing in Black-owned businesses, supporting community banks, and creating cooperative economic models. By circulating wealth within our communities, we can build a foundation for future generations.
3. Demand Accountability and Reparations
The fight for reparations is not just about compensation for past wrongs; it’s about addressing the ongoing impact of systemic racism. The DOJ’s acknowledgment of government complicity in the Tulsa Massacre strengthens the case for reparations—not just for Greenwood’s descendants, but for Black Americans nationwide.
4. Preserve and Share Our History
For decades, Tulsa’s story was erased from history books, just as many other atrocities against Black communities have been ignored or minimized. We must take ownership of our narratives, ensuring they are taught in schools, shared in media, and remembered by future generations.
5. Leverage Political Power
Political disenfranchisement has always been a tool of oppression, from Jim Crow laws to modern voter suppression tactics. By mobilizing our communities, advocating for voting rights, and holding elected officials accountable, we can shape policies that promote equity and justice.
Moving Forward: A Call to Action
The Tulsa Race Massacre is not just a story of loss—it is a story of resilience. Despite the destruction, survivors and their descendants fought to rebuild their lives, even as the system worked against them. Today, we carry their legacy forward by refusing to accept the status quo.
We must channel the lessons of Tulsa into action:
- Advocate for systemic change in housing, education, and criminal justice.
- Support organizations that fight for racial equity and economic justice.
- Teach future generations about Greenwood’s history, ensuring that its lessons are never forgotten.
The DOJ’s findings illuminate the depth of America’s betrayal of its Black citizens, but they also shine a light on our resilience. Greenwood was destroyed, but the spirit of its people endures. As Ida B. Wells once said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” By confronting the truth of Tulsa and connecting it to the systemic racism of today, we honor the past and build a future where Black communities can thrive.
Buried Truths: How the Tulsa Race Massacre Exposed America’s War on Black Wealth and Legacy is not just a headline—it is a call to action. The time to rebuild, reclaim, and rise is now.
