It’s No Accident

It’s no accident you learned about what white people did – the good things – not the bad things.

It’s no accident you learned about what black people did – the bad things – not the good things.

It’s no accident you learned about what any “OTHER” people did – the bad things – not the good things.

Growing up I HATED history. One reason was because we moved about every 18 months. I was born into the military. History, to me, was just memorizing dates and people who did what. In the history I was taught, ONLY white people created things.

As an “almost” adult, I joined the military. I met and married my mate. We traveled the world while my mate served in the military. I was the military spouse who kept everything running on the home front. My mate served our country and supported & defended the Constitution of the United States. While I was out facing being a representative of America. All spouses reflected the military AND the USA.

Who was W. E. B. Du Bois?

Throughout his career, Du Bois wrote extensively about race relations and the African American experience in the United States. He emphasized the importance of higher education. He also stressed developing a “Talented Tenth” of the African American population. This group would lead the fight for equality. His seminal work, “The Souls of Black Folk,” was published in 1903. It is a critical examination of race, identity, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. It also addresses social justice. (create post to learn more about Mr. Du Bois)

What was Tulsa about?

The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 stands as one of the most devastating instances of racial violence in American history. During this event, a thriving African American community in Greenwood was systematically attacked. The result was extensive destruction, loss of life, and long-lasting repercussions. An incident involving a Black man and a white woman triggered it. False rumors fueled a white mob’s rage. This ultimately led to a brutal invasion of the neighborhood. Despite the exoneration of Dick Rowland, accountability was not placed on the perpetrators. This highlights a history of racial injustice. It resonates through contemporary discussions on reparations and community healing.

Key Points

• The Tulsa Race Massacre lasted for 18 hours. It took place May 31 and June 1, 1921. The event destroyed over 1,000 structures. An estimated 50 to 300 people died during this time.
• The Greenwood District was home to a burgeoning African American community. It served as a hub of businesses, culture, and community life before the massacre.
• Racial tensions intensified in the 1920s Tulsa. The tensions escalated, particularly after a lynching incident. This incident showcased the city’s vigilante violence and disregard for African American lives.
• An altercation involving Dick Rowland and Sarah Page catalyzed the violence. Sensationalist media coverage worsened the situation. There were also calls for vigilante justice.
• The white mob mobilized. Armed Black citizens attempted to offer protection. Law enforcement rebuffed them, worsening the ensuing conflict.
• During the massacre, local authorities worked with the perpetrators. They did not intervene. This allowed the violence to escalate. It perpetuated a cycle of racial oppression.
• Despite the eventual rebuilding of Greenwood, many Black Tulsans were left homeless. They faced a winter of hardship. The deep scars of the event have persisted through generations.

I know this is brutal … REAL History is like a gut-punch when you have been fed false truth … False Truth? Isn’t that a lie?

Onward we go.

What happened in Wilmington?

The Wilmington Massacre and Coup d’état of 1898 in North Carolina was a violent white supremacy campaign. It was started by the Democratic Party to suppress African American political power. This caused voters to be intimidated and Black media to be destroyed. Lethal mob violence ravaged the African American community. A systematic effort to disenfranchise Black voters and install white supremacist leaders in local government characterized the events. Today, these acts are recognized not merely as a “riot.” They are seen as a coordinated massacre and a coup d’état against a democratically elected local government.

Key Points

(need posts about the history of political parties in the United States of America. I’m liking learning REAL STUFF! Gotta correct the record for my great-grandchildren)

• The Democratic Party in North Carolina launched a white supremacy campaign in 1897. Their aim was to eliminate Populist and Republican influence in the upcoming elections.
• On November 8, 1898, certain groups used intimidation tactics. They aimed to prevent African Americans from voting. This led to a Democratic victory in the elections.
• Following the contested election, a mob attacked The Daily Record. They set fire to the African American newspaper on November 10, 1898.
• The mob violence that ensued led to the deaths and banishment of numerous African Americans from Wilmington.
• Local officials were forcibly removed from power and replaced with white supremacists who undermined the democratic process.
• The events have shifted in historical narrative. They were initially labeled a “riot.” Now, they are recognized as a massacre and a coup d’état.
• The massacre represents an important moment in U.S. history, illustrating the extreme measures taken to maintain white supremacy during the late 19th century.

Before I go on to George Washington’s teeth, I need to create more pages and such to link things together. I will get this going. We can no longer sit on the sidelines and hope “somehow” it will all work out. WE are the ones We Have Been Waiting For (need link here: What can we be doing? Like this here now)