The Victory of Greenwood: Signed Copy

Description

The Victory of Greenwood​ shares this community’s story from the perspective of the heroes and entrepreneurs who built Greenwood and then rebuilt it after its destruction. The 20 historical biographies included cover Greenwood’s early history, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, Greenwood’s rebuilding, and its prosperity through the late 1960s, focusing on the neighborhood’s great nationwide legacy. Historians have published many books and articles about the days surrounding the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, but surprisingly little is known about the founding of Greenwood. Even less is known and discussed about Greenwood’s reconstruction. Against all odds, the neighborhood was built again, better than before, and became known as “Black Wall Street”.

The story of Greenwood is not one of tragedy. The neighborhood has suffered systemic racism and tragic events, but these do not define Greenwood nor tell its complete story. Founded in Oklahoma in 1905, shortly before Oklahoma’s statehood, Greenwood became the wealthiest African-American community in the nation. A decade and a half later, in 1921, a white mob attacked Greenwood leaving it in ruins. Despite the despicable acts committed against Greenwood as well as deliberate attempts by the City of Tulsa to legally prevent them from rebuilding, the neighborhood rose again, even better than before.

Greenwood was a thriving neighborhood 15 years before, and more than 45 years after 1921. Its history is incredibly rich, multifaceted, and fascinating. By learning the individual human experiences of Greenwood residents, business leaders, and community & faith leaders, Tulsa can begin to come together as a community promoting growth, cooperation, equity and respect for all its citizens.