Historically, race riots were a result of conflict caused between black and whites due to black wealth and home ownership (History Channel, 2015). Another reason for the race riots was a fear of "Negro Domination" due to it being maintained that "This is a white man's government". In all, the race riots were caused by racism.
In 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a substantial race riot occurred. Within Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the town Greenwood created for blacks which caused conflicts between black and whites due to the black wealth and home ownership happening within the town. The spark of the riot was on May 30, 1921 when Dick Rowland, a black man, allegedly assaulted Sarah Paige, a white woman, in an elevator. News reports led citizens to believe that Rowland raped Paige which led to the gathering of numerous citizens at the courthouse where Rowland was being held. Armed African American men also gathered at the courthouse in an effort to provide extra protection for Rowland. The riot began when shots were fired at the courthouse and continued into Greenwood. The police sided with the white rioters and began to deem random white citizens deputies giving them the power to arrest and detain any black citizen. These riots destroyed the community and there was an estimated 5 million dollars in physical damage, 6,000 blacks put into interment camps, and 1,000 black homes and businesses destroyed. Not only was Greenwood negatively impacted by these riots, but Tulsa was as well because the economy came to a halt due to the vast numbers of black workers being locked up or killed. The number of dead is uncertain, approximately 300 (History Channel, 2015).
Regarding the concept of freedom, during the reconstruction era, freedom was unattainable. Blacks were placed into internment camps and during this time they were segregated with no aid. Also, the government put a road/ highway through the town which did more permanent damage than the riot. Overall, freedom was unreal.
In 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a substantial race riot occurred. Within Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the town Greenwood created for blacks which caused conflicts between black and whites due to the black wealth and home ownership happening within the town. The spark of the riot was on May 30, 1921 when Dick Rowland, a black man, allegedly assaulted Sarah Paige, a white woman, in an elevator. News reports led citizens to believe that Rowland raped Paige which led to the gathering of numerous citizens at the courthouse where Rowland was being held. Armed African American men also gathered at the courthouse in an effort to provide extra protection for Rowland. The riot began when shots were fired at the courthouse and continued into Greenwood. The police sided with the white rioters and began to deem random white citizens deputies giving them the power to arrest and detain any black citizen. These riots destroyed the community and there was an estimated 5 million dollars in physical damage, 6,000 blacks put into interment camps, and 1,000 black homes and businesses destroyed. Not only was Greenwood negatively impacted by these riots, but Tulsa was as well because the economy came to a halt due to the vast numbers of black workers being locked up or killed. The number of dead is uncertain, approximately 300 (History Channel, 2015).
Regarding the concept of freedom, during the reconstruction era, freedom was unattainable. Blacks were placed into internment camps and during this time they were segregated with no aid. Also, the government put a road/ highway through the town which did more permanent damage than the riot. Overall, freedom was unreal.
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