|
Listen to this article here
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a rare show of unity, U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced landmark legislation, a Black Wall Street National Monument Bill, to preserve the Historic Greenwood District as a national monument. Known as “Black Wall Street,” this district once thrived as a hub for African American businesses before the devastating 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. This monument will honor the district’s resilience and significance, marking a bold step toward acknowledging and addressing historical injustices together.
Purpose of the Black Wall Street National Monument Bill
Senate Bill S. 3543 aims to establish the Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument in Oklahoma. The goal is to preserve and interpret resources associated with the Historic Greenwood District, Black Wall Street, and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The bill emphasizes the importance of remembering this historical tragedy and ensuring we don’t forget its lessons.
The Bill’s Key Provisions
Short Title and Definitions
The Act is named the “Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Establishment Act.” Key terms are described, including “Commission” (the advisory body), “descendant” (individuals with lineage to Black residents of Greenwood District in 1921), “Map” (the proposed boundary), “National Monument,” and “Secretary” (of the Interior).
Establishment of the National Monument
The bill establishes the National Monument as part of the National Park System. Moreover, it defines its boundaries according to the specified map. The Secretary of the Interior can acquire land through donation, purchase, or exchange. Additionally, the Secretary can enter agreements with public or private entities for educational and administrative support. The Act also protects private property rights within or adjacent to the monument.
Administration and Management Plan
The Secretary will administer the monument according to relevant laws and will consult Oklahoma State University regarding Standpipe Hill. A management plan will be developed in consultation with the Commission, current and former residents, and descendants. It must also be submitted to Congress within three years of funding.
Advisory Commission
The bill establishes the Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Advisory Commission. This commission will be an 11-member body member, mostly composed of descendants. This Commission will advise on monument management, with members serving five-year terms. The commission may also renew. The Commission will elect a Chair, adopt bylaws, and meet as needed. Members serve without compensation but receive travel expenses. The Commission will terminate 10 years after the monument’s establishment.
The Significance of the Black Wall Street National Monument Bill
The bill honors the historic significance of the Black Wall Street. Hence, it recognizes its impact on the history of Oklahoma and the nation. By doing so, it seeks to ensure their preservation for future generations.
A Community-Backed Initiative to Preserve Black Wall Street
The Senate bill is being championed by the Historic Greenwood District-Black Wall Street National Monument Coalition, which submitted testimony for the hearing. Hundreds of Tulsa Race Massacre descendants are among the large and diverse group demanding that Congress and Biden grant Greenwood national monument status.
Senator James Lankford’s Statement
Senator Lankford testified before the National Parks Subcommittee, emphasizing the importance of the bill.
“At the end of last year, Senator Booker and I introduced a bill to designate the historic Greenwood District of North Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre took place. We wanted to designate it as a national monument,” Lankford stated. “Each year, including just a few weeks ago on May 31st and June 1st, Oklahoma and the nation pause to reflect on the 1921 race massacre that left the community in ruins. Although Greenwood in North Tulsa lost almost everything on those terrible summer days 100 years ago, the community remains relentlessly devoted to turning tragedy into triumph. They remain a beacon of culture, opportunity, and prosperity, and they are absolutely committed to the future.”
Remembering the Past
“While the community is committed to the future, we should as a nation also remember our past and learn from it. North Tulsa remains a place of light and hope, showing strength to overcome adversity and work towards reconciliation, which our nation should also do and never forget,” Lankford added.
Protecting Private Property
“It’s critical to note that in addition to the hundreds of Black Wall Street residents who were killed, the Greenwood neighborhood was burned to the ground, with almost no substantial structure surviving that tragic event just over 100 years ago,” Lankford continued. “This bill delineates the historic boundary of the Greenwood neighborhood as a national monument. It establishes in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a National Monument Unit of the National Park Service to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations resources associated with the historic Greenwood district, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, and the role of each in the history of Oklahoma and the United States.”
Related Stories
A Catalyst for Resurgence
“This designation will serve as a catalyst for the resurgence of the economy and cultural hub of Tulsa while helping the country understand and learn from our shared history,” Lankford said. “With all new things, there are questions, especially in an area that’s already faced so much hardship. This bill ensures that the Secretary can only acquire land or interest in land through donation, exchange, or purchase from a willing seller. We also included explicit private property protection, so there’s no change of zoning or federal control of private land.”
Ensuring the Future
“Through the legislation, we craft language that both honors Greenwood’s past and protects its future. It’s my hope that we can work to ensure that our children do not grow up in a nation that forgets their past and also make sure it’s not repeated, ensuring all individuals are recognized and respected, and every person has the same opportunity. I have worked with my friends in North Tulsa for years to secure designations on the National Registry of Historic Places and on the Civil Rights Trail. Now, we’re one step closer to establishing a national monument, not just to the tragedy of May 31st and June 1st of 1921, but to recognizing a thriving community that was there for years.”
The introduction of Senate Bill S. 3543 by Senators Lankford and Booker marks a significant milestone in acknowledging and preserving the rich history of the Greenwood District—Black Wall Street. This legislation not only commemorates the resilience of a community devastated by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre but also aims to educate future generations about this pivotal moment in American history.