Wow, this image really has so much to unpack! Looking at it, we can deeply sense the impact and the intensity of the scene.

First of all, let’s start with the top left corner. The sky is predominantly blue with some scattered white clouds, offering a stark contrast to the scene below. It’s almost poetic, a calm sky witnessing chaos on the earth. Then, moving our gaze downward, we see a large building that has suffered significant damage. Sections of the walls are missing, and debris is everywhere. We can see the magnitude of the destruction—broken windows, shattered glass, and piles of rubble hinting at the sheer violence that must have occurred here.

What stands out as well is the human element. There are several people in the scene. I notice one person in a blue shirt bending down, maybe interacting with the debris or lending a hand to another person. This small detail speaks volumes about compassion and recovery amidst the ruins. The ground itself is uneven, covered in dust and littered with pieces of broken concrete and other materials, painting a vivid picture of the aftermath.

A particularly powerful element is the variety of objects scattered around, like broken furniture. What once were personal belongings now lie in ruins, echoing the disruption of everyday life. And towards the bottom right corner, more people appear, some observing while others are actively engaged, possibly in clearing debris or searching for something. This speaks to a collective effort, a community trying to rebuild or find what remains.

Reflecting on Melisya’s Aunt Yasmine’s presence there, it makes us deeply conscious of the personal loss and the resilience of those affected. This image tells a story of destruction, but also of humanity and hope, of people uniting amidst adversity.

Thinking about it, what still lingers in my mind like an unresolved melody is the sense of how these people, amidst such devastation, find the strength to continue. What memories and emotions are they carrying with them, and how do they mentally reconstruct their lives from these shattered remnants? There is something profoundly humbling about witnessing such resilience and it beckons us to reflect on their courage and our shared humanity.

What thoughts or emotions does this evoke in us? Let’s delve into our collective response to this powerful image.

Certainly. I will describe the image for you in an objective manner.

Starting from the top left corner and moving towards the bottom right corner:

1. The sky is predominantly blue with some scattered white clouds.
2. There is a large building that appears to be damaged; sections of the walls are missing, and debris is visible.
3. The building has multiple floors, and some of the windows are broken or completely shattered.
4. On the ground near the building, there are piles of rubble and debris.
5. There are several people in the scene. Some are standing, others are sitting or crouching.
6. One person is wearing a blue shirt and appears to be bending down, possibly interacting with the debris or another person.
7. In the background, there are more buildings, some of which also appear to be damaged.
8. There are various objects scattered around, including what looks like broken furniture, pieces of concrete, and other construction materials.
9. The ground is uneven, covered with dust and small fragments of debris.
10. Towards the bottom right, more people are visible, some of whom seem to be observing the scene, while others are actively engaged in some activity, possibly clearing debris or searching.

This is a detailed, objective description of what can be observed in the image.

I would definitely do a minilesson on multiple meaning words with this passage.

It is not a word they use in conversation. I would have the kids quickly amplify their voices/clapping to demonstrate and move on.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wpRM7DM0PomEDhvmEFgGLMYB55C9R1x1/view?usp=sharing

1. Quoted Sentences:

1. “On May 31 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mobs of white residents brutally attacked the African American community of Greenwood, colloquially known as ‘Black Wall Street,’ in the deadliest racial massacre in U.S. history.”
– Importance: This sentence sets the context for the image by highlighting the significance of the historical event—the Tulsa Race Massacre. Understanding this event is crucial to comprehending why the image holds such historical weight.

2. “Photo postcards of the Tulsa Race Massacre were widely distributed following the massacre in 1921.”
– Importance: This sentence reveals how the event was commercialized and suggests a sinister motive behind the production and distribution of these postcards—to assert white racial dominance and possibly to intimidate African Americans.

3. “Like postcards depicting lynchings, these souvenir cards were powerful declarations of white racial power and control.”
– Importance: This draws a parallel with other historical atrocities, such as lynchings, where similar tactics were used to reinforce racial hierarchies and terrorize Black communities. Understanding this parallel helps to grasp the oppressive intentions behind the creation of such postcards.

4. “Decades later, the cards served as evidence for community members working to recover the forgotten history of the riot and secure justice for its victims and their descendants.”
– Importance: This sentence shifts the perspective from the initial use of the postcards as tools of terror to their later role as historical evidence in the struggle for justice. It highlights the importance of preserving such artifacts for historical accountability and education.

1. Background Information:

To understand this text more deeply, several background topics need to be explored:

1. Tulsa Race Massacre: The event involved a large-scale attack on the prosperous Black neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by mobs of white residents. Dozens, possibly hundreds, of African Americans were killed, their homes and businesses were destroyed, and thousands were left homeless. Knowing the details of this event helps contextualize the image and understand its historical impact.

2. Black Wall Street: This term refers to the Greenwood District, which was a highly successful and affluent African American community. Understanding its economic and cultural significance makes the violent destruction of Greenwood even more poignant.

3. History of Lynching Postcards: These postcards were used in a similar fashion—to glorify acts of racial violence and to intimidate and terrorize African Americans. Learning about these can show how such images were part of a broader pattern of racial terror in the United States.

4. Historical Preservation and Justice Movements: Understanding how historical artifacts are used in movements for justice and historical accountability can provide insight into why preserving such painful memories is essential for healing and education.

1. Suggested Resources for Background Reading:

1. Books:
– “The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921” by Tim Madigan
– “Death in a Promised Land: The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921” by Scott Ellsworth

2. Articles:
– “The Tulsa Race Massacre: 100 Years Later” by The New York Times
– “What the Archives Reveal about Tulsa’s Infamous 1921 Race Riot” by History.com

3. Documentaries:
– “Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre” (History Channel)
– “The Legacy of the Tulsa Massacre” (PBS’s “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross”)

1. Re-engage and Reflect:

I invite you to revisit the text and the image, now armed with this deeper understanding of the historical context and significance. Perhaps there are additional details or questions that stand out upon re-reading. Feel free to share any new insights or thoughts that you have in a reply!

Created By
Unidentified
Owned By
Ross, J. Kavin, American
Date
1921
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper, with ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 3 7/16 × 5 7/16 in. (8.7 × 13.8 cm)
Caption
On May 31 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mobs of white residents brutally attacked the African American community of Greenwood, colloquially known as “Black Wall Street,” in the deadliest racial massacre in U.S. history. Amidst the violence, both white rioters and the Oklahoma National Guard rounded up black residents of Greenwood and forced them to detention centers. More than 6,000 African Americans were interned at the Convention Hall, the Tulsa County Fairgrounds, and the baseball stadium McNulty Park. Some were held for as long as eight days.
Photo postcards of the Tulsa Race Massacre were widely distributed following the massacre in 1921. Like postcards depicting lynchings, these souvenir cards were powerful declarations of white racial power and control. Decades later, the cards served as evidence for community members working to recover the forgotten history of the riot and secure justice for its victims and their descendants.
Description
A sepia-toned photographic postcard of National Guardsmen with a machine gun mounted on the back of a flat-bed truck on the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma during the Tulsa Race Massacre. Several soldiers are on the back of the truck with the weapon, one standing and one kneeling to the left of the gun and one at the gun sight. Several other soldiers march next to the truck, backs to the camera. Other vehicles and soldiers are visible on the street in the background of the image. Written in white at the bottom of the image is [NATIONAL GUARD / MACHINE GUN CREW / DURING TULSA RACE RIOT 6-1-21]. The verso is marked [POST CARD] at the top with spaces for [CORRESPONDENCE] and [ADDRESS] and an AZO stamp box in the top right corner.
Place Depicted
Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
gelatin silver prints
photographic postcards
Topic
Communities
Military
Photography
Race relations
Race riots
Tulsa Race Massacre
U.S. History, 1919-1933
Violence
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object Number
2011.175.11
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark