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TULSA, Okla. — Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke delivered a poignant speech on Saturday in Greenwood, reflecting on the Justice Department’s first-ever review of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The report, released three months after an intensive investigation, documents the systematic destruction of the thriving Black community by thousands of white residents in one of the most violent racial attacks in U.S. history.
“This community has been strong and resilient despite the lingering effects of a civil rights crime that stands out in its magnitude, barbarity, and ruthless brutality,” Clarke said at Historic Vernon AME Church, the sole surviving structure from the massacre.
On May 31, 1921, a white mob—organized enough to surpass mere mob violence—invaded Greenwood. Over two days, they killed hundreds of Black residents, destroyed 35 city blocks, and confined survivors in internment camps. Clarke described the attack as “systematic and coordinated,” underscoring the complicity of local law enforcement, who deputized white residents and even participated in the violence.
“The survivors were left with nothing,” Clarke stated, recounting how Tulsa’s white-led government obstructed rebuilding efforts and imposed fire codes that priced Black residents out of their homes.
The Justice Department’s 123-page report highlights historical injustices, including the failure to prosecute the perpetrators. Clarke emphasized that modern civil rights laws could have led to hate crime charges against both public officials and private citizens. However, the statute of limitations and lack of living perpetrators preclude federal prosecution today.
“While legal and practical limitations prevent us from prosecuting the perpetrators of crimes in 1921, the historical reckoning is far from over,” Clarke said.
The investigation involved extensive research, including interviews with descendants and survivors, reviews of primary sources, and consultations with historians and local organizations. Clarke acknowledged the contributions of community members, saying, “We thank the people of Greenwood for their generosity, endurance, and remarkable kindness in the wake of such hateful acts.”
The Justice Department’s findings also reveal the racial animus underlying the massacre. A 19-year-old Black shoe shiner, Dick Rowland, was accused of assaulting a white woman, sparking the violence. Despite conflicting accounts, a witness stated that a white man fired the first shot. Clarke described how the violence escalated into a coordinated assault, with Tulsa police and white residents leading the destruction.
As the Justice Department confronts this dark chapter in American history, Clarke stressed the importance of preserving the truth. “This review corrects the historical narrative and recognizes the traumatic loss suffered by the residents of Greenwood,” she said.
Though justice for the survivors remains elusive, Clarke’s remarks and the newly published report aim to honor Greenwood’s legacy and ensure the atrocities of the past are never forgotten.
“For the descendants of that lost Greenwood community, the fight for justice, while hindered by time and legal constraints, continues to seek truth and recognition,” she concluded.
By Gabriel Ani
