One of Tulsa’s best kept secrets is the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park just north of downtown next to ONEOK Field.
It commemorates Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre, according to some, the worst in our nation’s history. It’s centerpiece is the tower above which tells the story of African Americans in Oklahoma.
From when their ancestors were sold into slavery and shipped over to the New World.
To be slaves working in the fields.
It also tells the little known story that many of their ancestors were property of members of the Five Civilized Tribes and came to Oklahoma during the brutal forced march of the Tribes by the US Government known as the Trail of Tears.
There are other statues at the park. The one above is based on the photograph below.
(Above on display at the Tulsa Historical Society, and yes I had permission to take a photograph of the photograph.)
The above sculpture is based on the photograph below. A security guard at the park told us that the man pictured below was killed by a gunshot almost immediately after the photograph was taken. I have not been able to find any documentation of that, but it does make a good story.
The riot left officially 39 people dead, and an estimated 10,000 people homeless. It was obliterated from Tulsa history until 1997 when a state appointed commission convened. They issued their report, “Final Report of the Oklahoma Commission to study the 1921 Race Riot” several years later.
Image via WikipediaI have other posts about the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Tulsa Hanging Tree
Reconciliation Park Dedication
Brady Theater
I always learn things from you. I’ve grew up in Tulsa and don’t know anything about its history apparently. I should just be shot. I suck as a Tulsan and Oklahoman. Good thing my husband isn’t from here. He would be so disappointed. I use your posts to educate him (expect I pretend it was my personal knowledge). Hope that’s ok.
It’s heartbreaking to read of these things! I will never, ever understand racism even though I was born and raised in Texas. And there are NO excuses for it, ever! We all walk on two legs have the same need for love and understanding and kindness regardless of the color of our skin. Wonderful post for the day! Thank you!
Sylvia
Oh, I totally agree with Sylvia!
Such a sad history.
Lovely post and a beautiful monument. I read Sylvia’s comments and she is right on. I do think we are making progress compared to the older generations. Thanks for sharing, have a great day.
I read that with grest sadness and yet, today, we still haven’t learned. We in England have just had the trial of two men for the murder of Stephen Lawrence some twenty years ago but, because he was black, the police appeared to go on a “go slow” in looking for the perpetrators. The men were only teenagers when this happened but now they’re family men so a whole new generation are scarred again with their madness.
Thank you for teaching me something that I did not know before. An impressive entry indeed.
Please have a good Tuesday.
daily athens photo
These are wonderful photos and a moving post.
Cheers from Cottage Country!
Still lotsa turkeys!!!!
An interesting piece of history, I suspect that there are many similar stories that have been forgotten.
I’ve heard that the Cherokee Nation wants to remove the descendants of those former slaves from the tribal roles where they have been listed for generations.
Interesting post!
Great captures!
Interesting post!
Great captures!
Interesting post!
Great captures!
A sad day in history that should be commemorated.
The tall memorial is difficult to photograph clearly. Showing it in sections works really well. This sad chapter of Tulsa history was carefully forgotten until just recently. Great job Yogi.
This is a part of history that I didn’t know about. Thanks Yogi, always learning here. A powerful sculpture beautifully photographed, with an important message for all of us.