Urban Intellectuals

PART 1: They Burned Black Wall Street — But First, They Hated What We Built

Greenwood was not just a neighborhood.

It was proof.

Proof that Black people could build.

Proof that Black people could own.

Proof that Black people could educate, organize, trade, cooperate, and create an economic engine even inside the violence of Jim Crow America.

This was Tulsa, Oklahoma.

This was the Greenwood District.

This was Black Wall Street.

Doctors.

Lawyers.

Restaurants.

Hotels.

Barbershops.

Grocery stores.

Newspapers.

Theaters.

Churches.

Schools.

Homes.

Businesses.

An entire Black economic ecosystem.

And I’ve been there.

I’ve walked through Greenwood.

I’ve been on those streets — Greenwood, Archer, and Pine.

That’s where the GAP Band got its name from:

Greenwood.

Archer.

Pine.

Those were not just street names.

Those streets represented Black life, Black business, Black culture, Black movement, and Black possibility.

But white Tulsa saw that success.

And they hated it.

Before Greenwood was burned to the ground, it was envied.

Before it was destroyed, it was targeted.

Before the violence erupted, the resentment was already there.

Watch Part 1.

Then make sure you watch Part 2 to understand why Greenwood was burned to the ground — and why they called it a “riot.”

This is why Black history must be defended.

Urban Intellectuals is calling on 1,000 defenders of Black history.

Your $100 gives you 100 days of access to our Black history classes for adults or children.

All contributions are welcome.

Defend Urban Intellectuals.

Protect Black History.

Protect the Mission.

Go here:

https://store.urbanintellectuals.com/sp/defend/

Or comment DEFEND, and we’ll send you the information.

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