3 Historical Black Communities You Need To Know About

African-American history

In honour of Black History Month, I would like to share 3 historical black communities that were destroyed as a result of racism.

Tulsa

Probably amongst the most well known black communities, was this black Mecca of it’s time. Commonly referred to as the black Wall Street, Tulsa was the wealthiest black community in the United States. Complete with school teachers, lawyers, doctors, markets, restaurants and businesses galore.

However the community and its inhabitants would soon meet a brutal demise. On May 31st – June 1st, 1921 the community would be attacked by a mob of racists. It is commonly referred to as a race riot, yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. It was a deliberate attack to destroy a resilient, thriving community. Hospitals, churches, schools, and businesses were destroyed, leaving those injured to be admitted to white hospitals. Reports of near 300 fatalities and those injured near 1,000, leaving thousands of people homeless. To add insult to injury, the attacks were omitted from state and American history, as many to date still are very unaware of what occurred during these horrific days.

MOVE

This Philadelphia-based, revolutionary group was largely revered as just that. Of course a black liberation group of this magnitude in America was not met with praise, but great disdain. Malice is probably more accurate. The row house on the west side of Philadelphia proved to like many pro-black movements and presented a huge threat to the system of white supremacy. Several run-ins with law enforcement led to some members going to prison and others facing criminal charges. As a result, the community would meet its brutal demise. On May 13th, 1985 the community was viciously set ablaze after a helicopter dropped bombs on the building during a gunfight. Many believe what they call an attack was deliberate as those fleeing the burning house were met with gunfire upon exit, forcing them back into the flames. The fire was allowed to flourish as public servants, including firefighters stood by. In total, 65 houses burned to the ground leaving well over 200 people homeless. Eleven MOVE members were killed, including 5 children.

Also Related: 23 African American Businesses You Should Know 

Seneca Village

What is now known as New York’s Central Park was also once known as a resilient black community. It was founded just a few years prior to slavery becoming abolished in New York by freed men and women. Andrew William purchased the first 3 lots on September 27th, 1825 which would be the beginnings of Seneca Village. Tragically its existence would not only be short-lived, existing only from 1825 – 1857, but also practically erased from New York and American history.

Seneca Village was complete with a school, three cemeteries, and several churches. It was indeed the black middle class, slandered by many and referred to as a community of “squatters”. Yet this was far from the truth. The potato famine increased diversity in the community, creating a population of near 30% Irish immigrants.

Unfortunately the law of “eminent domain”, where the government can seize private land for public use, evicted everyone from their homes. As those in the community dispersed, the memory of this majority black community followed suit. To date, not one living descendant from Seneca Village has been located. An excavation in 2011 by archeologist and anthropologists unearthed near 250 bags of artifacts from the area. Efforts continue to increase to piece together the puzzle of so many identities lost. A puzzle that is not simply black history, but American history.

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8 Comments

  • Veronica
    February 19, 2016 at 10:38 AM

    I can honestly say that I have never learned or heard of Seneca Village. I’m glad you shared because it gives me something new to research about our history.
    Veronica would like you to check out…Reflections of an Inflection PointMy Profile

    • Shantae Pelt
      February 21, 2016 at 10:41 PM

      I’m happy to have been able to share it . It’s a community that definitely deserves rememberance and its place in history .

  • Roslyne
    February 19, 2016 at 6:26 PM

    Wonderfully done Shantae! Thank you for a truly informative piece!
    Roslyne would like you to check out…Squeezing in Romance On Valentine’s Day, Even With The KidsMy Profile

  • Michelle Matthew-Calloway
    February 19, 2016 at 6:40 PM

    Shantae,

    Thanks so much for this wonderful post. It leaves me with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am supremely inspired by the accomplishments and achievements of Black people, particularly when I consider how they were able to do so much with so very little advantages and MEGA obstacles. I’m saddened by the fact that their oppressors were so threatened by Black accomplishment that they felt they had to literally obliterate them in order to stop them. That makes me sad, and then I think, “But still I/we rise!”

    • Shantae Pelt
      February 21, 2016 at 10:44 PM

      I agree Michelle . Such resilient people, who met such a awful end to all they’d worked so hard to achieve. It’s a true testament to what our resilience . You said it best “But still I/we rise” .

  • Christine St.Vil
    February 22, 2016 at 3:32 PM

    Shante, this is awesome! Thank you so much! I only knew about Tulsa. This gives me more info to research and to share with my kids.

  • Yaya
    February 23, 2016 at 11:26 AM

    Great post. I’m familiar with the Tulsa community but had not heard about the others. I definitely want to research them further and learn more about them.

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