The Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, also known as Black Wall Street, was a place where black entrepreneurship and the local economy once flourished. But in May 1921, an inhumane act demolished the community in the blink of an eye. After a wave of racial violence, it was reduced to rubble by white mobs, who killed an estimated 300 people and injured more than 800. The event went down in history as the Tulsa Race Massacre. Truth Seekers understand that as a society built on systemic racism and inequality, we have failed to give this incident and its survivors the honor and compensation they deserve. This month, the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the state’s highest court, refused to acknowledge the truth.
In 2020, three remaining survivors of the Tulsa Massacre brought attention to this forgotten history by filing a lawsuit against the city of Tulsa, demanding recognition of the damage and trauma they had to endure for more than 100 years. The question of equality was raised again, and the opportunity for correction was raised. This lawsuit not only attracted national media attention, it also caught my attention.
I was especially outraged after reading about the proceedings and the lack of support for these heroes of the last century. I can’t do justice to what happened, but I know I can offer something tangible that will create stability and support for future generations. So my team and I at Business for Good, a venture charity in New York’s Capital Region dedicated to leveling the playing field for businesses and individuals marginalized by income, racial and other inequalities, we headed to Tulsa First-hand stories from survivors and families were heard, and $1 million was donated to STEPS, a nonprofit organization that helps these families.
This month, the Oklahoma Supreme Court made a bold statement when it dismissed a lawsuit filed by survivors. The court’s decision not only furthers the trauma experienced by survivors and their families during the incident, but also confirms the fact that we live in a society where systemic racism still exists. This issue needs to be addressed and exposed if we strive to make any progress.
Where we start from here?
It’s critical for people like me, with power and wealth, to take a step back, recognize how we got here, and learn how to use our wealth to look toward the future. Support can come in many forms—providing funding, connections, mentorship, or other support to entrepreneurs or organizations in your local community based on your specific skills (such as marketing, business strategy, accounting, human resources, etc.). Take the time to learn about the issues in your community to determine where your efforts can best be directed.
For those in positions of power and privilege, we must acknowledge that, both historically and today, we as homeowners and American citizens are inherently advantaged when it comes to employment. The report revealed increases in unemployment for every group except white Americans. The unemployment rate for black Americans rose from 5.6% to 6.1%, while the unemployment rate for white Americans remained stable at 3.5%. We still have a long way to go.
The responsibility for driving change and leveling the playing field starts at the top. So, as entrepreneurs and business leaders, let us be changemakers in our communities. While some billionaires have spent their wealth flying into space and taking over social platforms, it is more important than ever that the wealthy use some of their resources to focus on improving local social conditions, improving what has been the case for decades. Neglected communities. It all starts with us.
I know I’m not the only one who is disappointed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling and how their state government has once again shown these families a complete lack of decency and humanity. However, I hope that together we can use the disappointment of this setback to inspire real change. This should be a wake-up call to anyone who has not had to endure the injustice or discrimination that others have faced throughout their lives. Going forward, our focus should be on how to achieve equality and justice for future generations where the country has failed in the past.
More must-read comments by wealth:
The views expressed in Fortune Star review articles represent solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the following views and beliefs: wealth.
