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On May 31, 1921, in the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Tulsa Massacre occurred when thousands of white residents attacked the local Black community and businesses – then the wealthiest Black community in America, also known as "Black Wall Street." Approximately 300 people were murdered, along with numerous homes and businesses looted and burned. Considered the worst racial violence in American history, its repercussions continue to this day as surviving victims fight for redress.
Tulsa is not unique. Many such neighborhoods have existed throughout America, where Black communities thrived and found safety from a hostile outside world, only to ultimately succumb to the very threat they sought to avoid. From racial violence to conspiracies disguised as "urban redevelopment," all have nearly wiped vibrant streets off the map of American history. Let's explore these neighborhoods that have become an integral part of American racial history and the legacy these resilient individuals have left behind.
The Tulsa Massacre of 1921 – the worst racial violence in American history.
Bruce's Beach, Manhattan Beach, California
Bruce's Beach was once a popular resort for the African American community on the beautiful Manhattan beach in Los Angeles County, California. Purchased in 1912 by the Black couple Willa and Charles Bruce, it became a resort exclusively for Black people, a venue for many parties – a safe haven where they could freely enjoy life as ordinary citizens, escaping the widespread racial segregation.
Bruce's Beach - a "holy grail" for Black people in Los Angeles.
However, this freedom was short-lived, as white residents in the area constantly harassed them. Tensions escalated to the point where the local authorities had to close the resort and reclaim the land. In 1927, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) organized a swimming protest against racial segregation, resulting in the arrest of four Black teenagers. They fought and won, forcing the authorities to reopen the beach.
In 2022, after much struggle within the community, Los Angeles County decided to return the land to the descendants of Bruce's family. A year later, Bruce's family sold the land back to the government for $20 million, calling it "a belated recognition."
Today, a memorial plaque stands in Bruce's Beach Park to commemorate the family's legacy and the city's commitment to change: “We are not the Manhattan Beach of 100 years ago. We oppose racism, hatred, prejudice, and exclusion. This park is named in memory of Bruce's Beach and to acknowledge that the next 100 years of Manhattan Beach will be a city of respect and inclusion.”
Memorial plaque at Bruce's Beach Park
Treme, New Orleans, Louisiana
Tremé in New Orleans is considered the oldest Black neighborhood in the United States. Founded in the 1800s, it was one of the first places in America where Black people were free to own property.
Congo Square, located in the Tremé neighborhood, was a gathering place for Black people every Sunday to dance, drum, and celebrate, contributing to the development of their jazz culture and distinctive second-line street parade tradition. However, in the 1960s, the decision to build Interstate 10, which cut across Claiborne Avenue, devastated one of America's most thriving Black business districts.
Jazz – a distinctive artistic and cultural phenomenon of Black people in general and the Tremé neighborhood in particular.
Despite its challenges, Tremé has preserved its identity and cultural heritage to this day. Tours like the Nola Culture Second Line Tour & Experience allow visitors to delve deeper into the neighborhood's second-line parade tradition. Notable landmarks such as Kermit's Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge pub and St. Augustine Church – the oldest Black Catholic church in America – are also worth visiting.
Second-line - a traditional Black street parade in Treme
Bronzeville, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
During the Great Migration of Black people in the 20th century, many Black people left the South to seek opportunities in northern cities, including Milwaukee. Despite discriminatory barriers, Bronzeville became an economic and cultural center for the Black community.
However, in the 1960s, a highway project destroyed over 8,000 homes and businesses, displacing thousands of people. Today, Bronzeville is experiencing a resurgence, blending old heritage with modern flair. Places like Mi Casa Su café, Bronzeville Kitchen and Lounge restaurant, and Honeybee Wellness and Apothecary allow visitors to enjoy the unique cuisine and culture of the area. The American Holocaust Memorial Museum is also a must-see attraction.
Bronzeville, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Gainsboro, Roanoke, Virginia
Once a thriving community, Gainsboro was not only home to thousands of families but also a cultural and economic hub for Black people in Roanoke, Virginia. Before being devastated by 20th-century “reconstruction” projects, Gainsboro was a bustling area with churches, shops, restaurants, theaters, and community organizations that helped residents cope with racial segregation and build sustainable lives. Its streets once echoed with the laughter of families, the music of clubs, and the hustle and bustle of Black-owned businesses.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the government implemented urban redevelopment projects that were essentially designed to push Black communities out of the city center. Over 1,600 homes were demolished, and hundreds of businesses disappeared. These forced displacements deprived many residents not only of their homes but also of their economic and cultural foundations.
Today, efforts to preserve the memory of Gainsboro continue. Organizations such as the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the Roanoke Public Library, and the Roanoke Valley Preservation Fund have collaborated to build the Gainsboro History Project, providing information through documents, images, and videos about the area's past. The Gainsboro Revisited app allows users to explore the neighborhood's history through interactive stories and augmented reality images.
The Martin Luther King Memorial – dedicated to the African American civil rights activist – is located in Gainsboro.
Facing destruction, displacement, and historical injustices, these neighborhoods have shaped American culture and history, exposing the two contrasting sides of the “American Dream” that has brought generations of people of all races and languages to this country. They are not just places that exist on the map, but symbols of the resilience, creativity, and solidarity of the African American community, representing the human rights and freedoms that every individual deserves, wherever they may be.
