Why The Violence In Tulsa, Oklahoma, Is Nobody's Business, June 17, 1921

It goes by different names—the Tulsa race riot, the Tulsa race massacre, and the Black Wall Street massacre are some of the more common ones. Much been written about recently, this being the 100th anniversary of this incident of racial violence. The following article from The Pilot, Vass, N.C., newspaper, written 100 years ago, is one person’s reaction to criticism from Northern cities about the riot. This is not an article from the editorial page of the newspaper. The idea that news articles in the past were unbiased is simply not true. I thought it was particularly appropriate for America’s first national Juneteenth holiday.

OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS

Nothing is more exasperating than to read the comment of a few editors of New York city and Boston papers on the recent race riots in Tulsa, Okla., and to note how they condemn everybody in that section. It shows a lack of judgment, just as it would be poor judgment for one Vass man to shout over the back fence at another man who wasn’t correcting his child as he would do. Tulsa has her problems, the same as every other city or town, and the good people of that place can be depended upon to settle them in the best manner possible under the circumstances. No one knows where trouble is going to break out next, any more than we can foretell where the lightning will strike. And when it does come the thing to do is offer assistance, instead of pin-headed criticism. It is always a good idea to attend to your business, and grant the other fellow the same privilege. What applies to individuals also applies to cities and towns, and the sooner New York City and Boston editors learn this, and start cleaning up their own premises, the better off they will be.

From The Pilot, Vass, N.C., June 17, 1921