Today 'twas the 95th anniversary of the Greenwood riot. Oh, such a terrible event. Perhaps as many as 300 massacred, and maybe 8,000 left homeless after rioters burned down the Greenwood community in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What a community it had been. One of the most successful and wealthiest African-American enclaves in the U.S., it was often called "America's Black Wall Street."
As I Facebooked tonight, one friend wrote of how black people were driven out at gun point. Little wonder there is still racial tension there, he said. But, he added. "It is time to stop blaming whites for all the problems. It's a complex issue, and everyone needs to take their part in solving the problem."
"It is complex, bringing peace. Wish we knew what to do," I wrote back. I then went to bed, only to pop right back up and post: "Actually, I do know what 'we' can do. But, it sounds trite and simplistic. Love. Love is all we need. Wish there had been a large demonstration in that greater community today on the 95th anniversary, people pouring into town with signs saying they love the black people, and they regret the riot 95 years ago."
A complex issue, and love a simplistic answer? As I wrote those words, I thought of a quote from LDS apostle L.Tom Perry, who passed away yesterday. "Today's complexities demand greater simplicity."
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