The Tulsa Race Massacre, also known as the Tulsa Race Riot, occurred between May 31 and June 1, 1921, in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. This tragic event is considered one of the deadliest incidents of racial violence and one of the most significant race-related massacres in the history of the United States. The Greenwood District, often referred to as "Black Wall Street," was a prosperous African American community known for its thriving businesses, professional class, and cultural institutions. The neighborhood's success was perceived as a threat to the prevailing racial hierarchy and [[white supremacy]], which contributed to underlying racial tensions in the region. The massacre was sparked by an incident involving a young Black man named Dick Rowland and a white elevator operator named Sarah Page. Rowland was accused of assaulting Page, although the exact details of the encounter remain unclear. His arrest prompted sensationalist newspaper coverage that fueled racial animosity and incited a white mob to gather at the courthouse where Rowland was being held. In response to the growing mob, a group of African American men, some of whom were World War I veterans, arrived at the courthouse to protect Rowland. A confrontation between the white mob and the African American defenders escalated, and shots were fired, leaving several people dead. The violence quickly spread to the Greenwood District, with white mobs looting, burning, and destroying the community over the course of approximately 16 hours. The attackers used firearms, torches, and even private planes to drop incendiary devices on the neighborhood. By the time the violence subsided, Greenwood was left in ruins. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, with some reports suggesting as many as 300 people were killed, most of whom were African American. Thousands of Black residents were left homeless, and the once-thriving community was decimated, with millions of dollars in property damage. The Tulsa Race Massacre was largely suppressed in both local and national discussions for decades, and it was not until the late 20th century that efforts to publicly acknowledge and commemorate the event began to gain momentum. Today, the massacre serves as a harrowing reminder of the impact of racial violence and [[discrimination]] in American history and underscores the importance of continued efforts toward racial reconciliation and justice. See also: [[Political Violence in the U.S. Timeline]], [[segregation]], [[Jim Crow]], [bigotry](https://doctorparadox.net/psychology/bigotry-is-bad-thinking/)