President Biden came to Tulsa Tuesday but the Tulsa Beacon goes to press on Tuesday.
President Joe Biden on Monday proclaimed May 31, 2021, as “Day of Remembrance: 100 Years After the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.”
Biden calls on the American people “to reflect on the deep roots of racial terror in our nation and recommit to the work of rooting out systemic racism across our country.”
Black Wall Street was a community in Tulsa’s Greenwood District in the early 20th century. During an 18-hour period on May 31, 1921, spanning into June 1, 1921, more than 30 black people were killed.
On Saturday, several hundred armed blacks participated in the peaceful “2nd Amendment Armed March for Reparations” on Greenwood Avenue in North Tulsa. The group had a permit approved by the Tulsa City Council.
According to March co-leader Nick Bezzel, “We have to take a much stronger approach toward Reparations. We are tired of begging. Our ancestors deserve nothing less than our strongest efforts.”
Attorney Malik Shabazz, National leader of Black Lawyers for Justice, said, “The struggle for reparations must be escalated. We must fight on every front to achieve redress and reparations for the atrocities committed upon Tulsa Massacre descendants; and we must intensify the fight to achieve reparations for all 40-million blacks still grossly affected by racism, inequality, wealth disparity, police brutality and the like.”
As part of the Black Wall Street Legacy Summit, luncheon honored the last-known living survivors, 106-year-old Lessie Benningfield “Mother” Randle, 107-year-old Viola “Mother” Fletcher, and 100-year-old Hughes Van Ellis. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, spoke. Justice for Greenwood donated $100,000 to each of the living survivors. Regina Goodwin presented a $21,000 donation on behalf of Tulsa S.T.E.P.S for the survivors.
The African Street Festival celebrated the food, arts, activities, and cultures of Africa. The World Culture Music Festival featured local and national performances in genres ranging from Gospel to rap to hip hop. Fire in Little Africa, a coalition of Oklahoma rappers, musicians, and artists, performed their hip-hop album, which explores the power of storytelling. PJ Morton delivered an energetic and soulful performance to close out the second day of the Black Wall Street Legacy Festival.