Biden Proposes Monument for Unacknowledged Race Riot by Congress

In May 1921, the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, saw one of the deadliest instances of racial violence in American history. The Tulsa Race Massacre, as it came to be known, resulted in the destruction of the prosperous African American neighborhood of Greenwood, often referred to as Black Wall Street. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the massacre, Congress failed to officially recognize it as a race riot. However, President Joe Biden’s recent proposal to make the site a national monument marks a significant step towards acknowledging and honoring the memory of the victims and survivors of the tragic event.

The decision by Congress to not designate the Tulsa Race Massacre as a race riot has long been a point of contention and has underscored the systemic issues of racial injustice that persist in the United States. By choosing to omit the event from official records as a race riot, the true impact and historical significance of the massacre have been downplayed, and the suffering of the victims largely overlooked. This omission has contributed to a larger pattern of neglect and erasure of the experiences of African Americans in the country’s historical narrative.

President Biden’s initiative to establish the site of the Tulsa Race Massacre as a national monument is a crucial move towards rectifying this historical oversight. By creating a national monument, the memory of the victims and the anguish of the survivors will be preserved and honored for generations to come. This designation not only acknowledges the racial violence that occurred in Tulsa but also serves as a potent symbol of the ongoing struggles for racial equality and justice in the United States.

Furthermore, the establishment of the Tulsa Race Massacre site as a national monument sends a powerful message about the importance of confronting and reckoning with the darker chapters of the country’s past. It serves as a reminder of the need to confront the legacy of racial violence and discrimination that continues to shape American society today. By recognizing and memorializing the tragic events of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the nation can take a significant step towards acknowledging the deep wounds caused by historical racial injustice and commit to building a more equitable future for all its citizens.

In conclusion, while Congress may have failed to officially recognize the Tulsa Race Massacre as a race riot, President Biden’s decision to establish the site as a national monument represents a crucial milestone in the ongoing journey towards racial reconciliation and justice. By memorializing this tragic event, the nation can begin to confront its past and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.