Black Wall Street Exemplar

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In the early 1900s, Tulsa was home to Greenwood, the most affluent Black community in the country, also known as Black Wall Street.
In 1921, a White mob burned down Greenwood, killing hundreds. The City of Tulsa placed obstacles on Greenwood to prevent rebuilding and Black Tulsans were blamed for the damage so insurance did not pay out. Nevertheless, the resilient Greenwood community built back stronger.
In the 1930s, the U.S. government divided cities into color-coded neighborhoods. Communities of color were put into red zones, and it became almost impossible for people living there to get home loans. This was called "redlining" and caused neighborhoods like Greenwood to go into decline.
Yes. My family has been there for years.
I'd like a loan to buy a house.
Hmm. That's a red zone so the government won't let us give you a loan.
Do you live in Greenwood?
By the 1970s, due to years of redlining, Greenwood had declined. It was selected along with many communities of color in the U.S. for "urban renewal" where homes and businesses were demolished and highways were built in their place.
That's where my home was.
Oh yeah? Well, we're building a highway here now.

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