New Historic Marker Commemorates 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

A historic marker now stands on North Greenwood Avenue to remember the lives lost in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

The marker is intended to help shine a light on a dark chapter in Tulsa’s history. Some see it as progress, but others said they feel differently.

The Tulsa Community Remembrance Coalition has been working with the Equal Justice Initiative on the marker since late last year.

“Because it was done by members of this community, descendants of Greenwood, it really means a lot,” Greg Robinson, co-founder of the Coalition said.

Tyreiha Lewis works at Wanda J's Next Generation Restaurant on Greenwood. She’s not a fan of the 'Black Lives Matter’ street painting, nor the marker.

“I don’t think this hits home for us,” Lewis said.

Lewis said more time needs to be invested in preparing children for the future instead of them pondering the past.

"I think we should be focusing more time on their schools, the studies at the schools, rather than what they have down here that they can't even get here to see,” Lewis said.

Robinson said they're working to put a $3 million memorial to victims of the race massacre on Greenwood. He hopes it will be done just before the 100th anniversary.