The Destruction of Black Wall Street

Greenwood, the African-American section of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was nicknamed Black Wall Street because it was one of the richest African American communities in the United States. Being separated from the rest of Tulsa by segregation, and not having any opportunities to advance elsewhere, the residents of Greenwood owned the land that they built on, and they created their own businesses and only patronized their own businesses. This was the source of their wealth; since no one else would do for them, they did for themselves. This vibrant and affluent community met its demise and destruction in less than a day's time by angry White supremacists who were envious of the wealth of Greenwood and desperate to protect their belief that African Americans were inferior. As tragic as the events that occurred were, they educated the world how far hate can go and what anyone can accomplish through hard work, sacrifice, and cohesiveness.