In a historic move, President Joe Biden has announced plans to designate the site of the Tulsa Race Massacre as a national monument. The decision comes in the wake of Congress failing to officially recognize the racially-motivated violence that occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, over a century ago.
The Tulsa Race Massacre, also known as the Black Wall Street Massacre, took place in 1921 when a white mob attacked the prosperous African American community of Greenwood, leaving hundreds dead and thousands homeless. Despite being one of the deadliest and most destructive incidents of racial violence in American history, the massacre went largely unacknowledged for decades.
The lack of official recognition by Congress has been a source of frustration and pain for the descendants of the victims and survivors of the massacre. Efforts to have the event acknowledged and commemorated have been ongoing for years, culminating in President Biden’s decision to make the site a national monument.
By designating the site of the Tulsa Race Massacre as a national monument, President Biden is taking a significant step towards acknowledging and honoring the victims and survivors of this tragic event. The monument will serve as a reminder of the racial injustices that have plagued our nation’s history and as a tribute to those who suffered and lost their lives in the massacre.
In addition to commemorating the past, the national monument will also serve as a place of reflection and education, allowing visitors to learn about the history of the massacre and its impact on the community. It is hoped that by preserving and sharing this history, we can work towards healing the wounds of the past and fostering a more inclusive and just society for future generations.
President Biden’s decision to designate the site of the Tulsa Race Massacre as a national monument is a powerful symbol of his commitment to addressing the injustices of the past and working towards a more equitable future for all Americans. It is a reminder that we must confront and learn from our history, no matter how painful, in order to create a more just and unified society.