Biden Issues A Proclamation Remembering The Tulsa Race Massacre

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on Monday to remember the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, calling on Americans to eliminate systemic racism and pledging to further racial justice.

During the Tulsa Race Massacre, hundreds of black Americans were killed by a white mob that attacked a prosperous black neighborhood and burned dozens of city blocks.

Biden proclaimed Monday to be a “Day of Remembrance: 100 Years After The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.” He called on Americans to “reflect on the deep roots of racial terror in our Nation and recommit to the work of rooting out systemic racism across our country.”

“I call upon the people of the United States to commemorate the tremendous loss of life and security that occurred over those 2 days in 1921, to celebrate the bravery and resilience of those who survived and sought to rebuild their lives again, and commit together to eradicate systemic racism and help to rebuild communities and lives that have been destroyed by it,” Biden said.

He then offered his thoughts about the massacre.

“One hundred years ago, a violent white supremacist mob raided, firebombed, and destroyed approximately 35 square blocks of the thriving Black neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Families and children were murdered in cold blood. Homes, businesses, and churches were burned. In all, as many as 300 Black Americans were killed, and nearly 10,000 were left destitute and homeless,” Biden said. “With this proclamation, I commit to the survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre, including Viola Fletcher, Hughes Van Ellis and Lessie Benningfield Randle, the descendants of victims, and to this Nation that we will never forget. We honor the legacy of the Greenwood community, and of Black Wall Street, by reaffirming our commitment to advance racial justice through the whole of our government and working to root out systemic racism from our laws, our policies, and our hearts.”

Biden is traveling to Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Tuesday to tour the Greenwood Cultural Center. He plans to meet with surviving members of the community. He will also deliver remarks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the massacre.

Article by Emily Bevacqua