It is May 31 that will mark the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, with Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission beginning the day with a nationally-televised event called “Remember & Rise.”
The specific ceremony will be held for paying tribute to the Black Tulsa community, which used to thrive at one point and was attacked as well as bombed by whites about one century ago around this time. About 10,000 people died in the Greenwood District, which was popularly regarded as “Black Wall Street,” and thus, it was the destruction of one of the most flourishing Black neighborhoods in America. It was revealed that both survivors as well as the descendants of the victims will be partaking in the celebrations.
The event will witness several speakers, including voter rights advocate and politician Stacey Abrams. Phil Armstrong, who is the project director for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission stated that they are proud to be welcoming Stacey Abrams for the event.
Abrams explained that she remains unified with this mission cited by the “Remember & Rise” program. The statement by Abrams stated that she recognizes what Tulsa’s Black families had to endure 100 years ago, adding that as a united team, it is possible to develop a more equitable nation that conquers systemic racism. She added that the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre reminds us of a day that witnessed significant loss and tragedy. Moreover, it goes on to showcase the strength of the community. This Centennial commemoration is a good time for us to think about this tragic history, as it is not possible to reconcile without that. The reverberations go on across several communities with excessive Black Americans, as there is a lot of economic hardship, disproportionate police and gun violence. The event will be hosted by author and actor Hill Harper, and it will include a spoken word performance from “America’s Got Talent” contestant Brandon Leake.
Moreover, speeches will also be made by Damon Lindelof, who is the producer of HBO’s award-winning series “The Watchmen;” centennial commissioners Armstrong, Hannibal B. Johnson and state Sen. Kevin Matthews; Tulsa entertainers Tony Mason and Eldredge Jackson; and Greenwood Art Project lead artists Rick Lowe and William Cordova. John Legend is also slated to headline the show at ONEOK Field.
