Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Two recent events that have been witnessed by the world, shows a nation still coming to grips with knowing and living with the truth of its history. The Tulsa Massacre or the Greenwood Genocide of hundreds of Black residents in their economically thriving neighborhood, will forever be a stain on this nation’s history, no matter how many years this nation survives. In the Black Wall Street Section of Greenwood, an all Black enclave of Black owned businesses, where Black residents were living the American dream. No, they were not living in white neighborhoods, but Black people showed the nation that, given an equal opportunity, they could be just as successful as their white counterparts in the business world. They had their hotels, restaurants, movie theaters and their own banks, they played by the rules. They had what many white people didn’t have. However, that all changed on May31-June 1, 1921, when a white woman said that a Black man allegedly assaulted her. History never revealed to us what exactly happened (if anything) between the two people, but as we learned in the Emmett Tillman incident, it was not unusual for a white woman to accuse a Black man of doing “something inappropriate” while around them. Instead of letting local authorities handle the situation, a mob of white men took matters into their own hands, went to the jail to retrieve the frightened Black man. In a show of solidarity, Black men showed up with guns to help ensure the safety of the accused and again, history is unclear of how a shooting occurred between the two groups. Outnumbered, the Blacks retreated back into their Greenwood community. But that was all that was needed for local authorities/whites to do what they may have wanted to do all along, that is, get rid of a community that was living better than they were. What would happen over the next days to Black residents of Greenwood, could only be likened to what happens when a nation, a people, is invaded by a foreign army. Mobs of white men descended into Greenwood killing Black residents, burning down homes and businesses, causing the residents to flee for their lives. They were even bombarded from aerial attacks, just as an invading army would do, as the intent was to eradicate an entire community way of life, simply because those in law enforcement failed to uphold the rule of law and a failure of the then governor to protect the citizens of his state. The community of Greenwood was literally burned to the ground, as lives were snuffed out from the hatred that harbored in the hearts of white supremacists, a hatred that continues to this day. On Monday (May 31), a commemoration was held to remember the dead and the loss of Greenwood. Although no amount of commemorating will mean anything if this nation doesn’t face a continuing racial divide that has long existed against Black people, literally since Black people sought their freedom long before the Civil War. There are not that white Americans that want to honestly discuss race in an open honest environment. Perhaps, that is because the tragic past of race relations would once again come to light, at which time, some unnerving truths would have to be faced. A history of what we don’t know (or was withheld), would be revealed, showing just how some people treat other people as if it means nothing to them. If this nation is ever to “stand before God” as a “Christian” nation and proclaim what is good about it, then the people who say that they live by/through faith, then they must “lead” this nation to the truth. A truth about what this nation has done in the name of God. A nation where many leaders say that they stand for the truth, but quickly run from it. A nation where many leaders refuse to take a stand against those who further divide, just to hold on to a vote. We are seeing that it is easier to divide a people than it is to bring them together. Only the truth will bring us together through God, as there we will have liberty. We are seeing that “more Greenwoods” are starting to appear. Look at what is happening to Asian people. First, it was the Native Americans followed by Black Americans. Those two groups were never America’s problem. It was made out to be by those who want an America in their image. One of this reporter’s favorite scriptures is; a house divided cannot stand. This house(nation) is divided, and it is getting worse by the day. The question is, how long will it stand? We must keep the memories of all “Greenwoods” in our historical perspective, if we are to move forward. Remember, the world is watching. So is God.