Digital resource guide - 100th Remembrance of the Tulsa Race Massacre - DEVELOPED BY

MAY 2021

             digital
           resource
              guide
100th Remembrance of the
      Tulsa Race Massacre

                DEVELOPED BY

   Becoming Beloved Community Commission of the
                    Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

BECOMING
BELOVED
COMMUNITY
INVITATION TO THE DAY OF UNITY FROM
BISHOP POULSON:
I’m grateful for the work of the Becoming Beloved Community Commission, and for the
resources they have put together for the Diocese of Oklahoma, as we approach the 100th
anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Six months ago, our diocese joined together and
raised $165,000 in the Bishop’s Appeal for Historic Vernon A.M.E. Church in Tulsa. Now, we
have an opportunity to build on that same spirit of unity in our various commemorations of the
tragic events of 1921 in our churches and with other groups. Every congregation in our diocese
is unique, and it is up to our clergy (in conversation with the lay leadership in your
congregations) to decide what of these optional resources to use and how to use them. I hope all
of us will find meaningful ways to mark this solemn anniversary, as we pray and work for
God’s reconciliation and God’s justice.

-Bishop Poulson Reed

BECOMING
BELOVED
COMMUNITY

“IF THE HOUSE IS TO BE SET IN ORDER, ONE CANNOT BEGIN
WITH THE PRESENT, HE MUST BEGIN WITH THE PAST.”
– JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN

On May 31st and June 1st, 1921, the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma
experienced “the single worst incident of racial violence in American history” when
35 square blocks of the district were destroyed by violence and fire. This year we will
mark the 100th Anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The Becoming Beloved
Community Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma is submitting the
following resources and prayers for our congregations to make use of throughout
the month of May. On May 30th (Trinity Sunday), the Diocese of Oklahoma is
planning to join in solidarity with churches of many different religious backgrounds
for a day of unity and prayer. The Becoming Beloved Community Commission
humbly requests that each congregation prayerfully consider what elements you
might add to worship to join in the spirit of unity and remembrance. In addition, we
ask each person in the Diocese of Oklahoma to consider what steps you might take
to further our vows in the Baptismal Covenant to work for God’s reconciliation and
God’s justice.

In this ‘Digital Resource Packet’ you will find the following:
    A special Prayers of the People that may be used throughout the month of May
    A statement for Unity Day from Phil Armstrong, 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
    Centennial Commission for use on May 30th, 2021
    Suggestions for worship music on May 30th, 2021
    Invitation to Sacred Ground
    Additional Resources for Children, Youth, and Adults
    Remembrance of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Events List

Respectfully offered by the members of the Becoming Beloved Community
Commission,

The Rev. Joseph Alsay, St. Augustine’s, Oklahoma City
Julia Ayala Harris, St. John’s, Norman
The Rev. Kirsten Baer, Grace Church, Yukon and Casady School
Kate Carney Bond, Diocese of Oklahoma
The Rev. Lee Domenick, Trinity, Tulsa
Glenda Ford-Lee, Church of the Redeemer, Oklahoma City
The Rev. Kay Boman Harvey, All Saints’, Miami
Buzz McDonald, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Oklahoma City
The Rev. Alberto Moreno Casas, Espíritu Santo
The Rev. James Tyree, St. John’s, Norman

BECOMING
BELOVED
COMMUNITY

In preparation for Unity Day, May 30th (Trinity Sunday), 2021, we ask that each congregation consider using the
following as an alternative form of the Prayers of the People throughout the month of May.

Prayers of the People in Remembrance and Reflection of the Tulsa Race Massacre
Written by the Rev. James Tyree, member of the Becoming Beloved Community Commission of the Episcopal Diocese
of Oklahoma

As the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre approaches, let us pray for all who suffered during
and after the event, for increased recognition and understanding of the racism and injustice that
continue to hurt human beings, and for the Church to clearly exemplify God’s love and impartiality.

We pray for the estimated 300 women, men and children whose lives ended tragically in terror and
violence, that their souls may continue to enjoy eternal peace and love in the presence of God and the
communion of saints.
(Silence)

We pray for the Greenwood residents who survived the massacre and others who were directly affected;
recognizing their immense pain from losing loved ones, the uncertainty they faced after losing their
homes and livelihoods, and for the words, actions and effects of racism and segregation they continued
to endure long after the massacre.
(Silence)

We pray for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Commission members and for all who seek truth and justice in
this and other events of racial violence around our nation and world, that we may learn the facts of what
happened and draw lessons that will make our communities stronger and more respectful.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for every person, family and community of color that continues to face and suffer from the
effects of systemic, institutional, and cultural racism that are historically and often subconsciously
entwined in many aspects of our society.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray, Lord, that we as individuals search inwardly and resolve to remove any biases that we may
have against any race or ethnicity that keeps us from loving every person as ourselves as Jesus
instructed his followers.
Lord, hear our prayer.

BECOMING
BELOVED
COMMUNITY

We pray and ask for your guidance, Lord, to help us live by our baptismal vow to strive for justice and
peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Lord, hear our prayer.

And we at (church name), as part of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, pray Lord that you
guide our church and diocese now and going forward, that we may shine the light of Christ in
Becoming a Beloved Community throughout our state, so that all may know and feel the impartial love
and grace that you have for all humankind.
Lord, hear our prayer.

BECOMING
BELOVED
COMMUNITY

We invite you to read the following statement from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission as part of
Unity Day (Sunday, May 30th), a day of religious unity in remembering the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Please
consider reading at the beginning of the service or printing it in the worship bulletin. In addition, as an opportunity
to build on the spirit of unity, the preacher may choose to reflect on the remembrance as we pray and work for God’s
reconciliation and God’s justice.

“The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was the worst civil disturbance on American soil since the Civil War.
While the past cannot be changed, we can allow events of the past to change us—our perspective, our
attitudes and our hearts.

On this day 100 years ago, May 30, 1921, 19- year-old Dick Rowland was falsely accused of attacking 17-
year-old Sarah Page on a downtown elevator, in the Tulsa Tribune. This false narrative struck the match
that lit the fires of racial discord in this city and erupted into 16 to 18 hours of carnage, destruction and
mayhem. One of the most prosperous black communities at that time in the United States was
destroyed. What took many Tulsa residents a lifetime to build took other people only hours to destroy.
One library, two dozen grocery stores, four drugstores, eight doctors’ offices, a dozen churches, over 30
restaurants and an entire neighborhood were reduced to ruins. Countless lives were forever changed by
the racist actions and attitudes of Tulsa citizens. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre reveals how wrong
attitudes can result in great destruction. But that Spirit of Greenwood would not die. With the
indomitable human spirit of resilience, this community literally rebuilt itself bigger and better,
economically than before.”

– the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission has suggested all churches might consider
singing Amazing Grace (The Hymnal 1982, #671).

Other suggested hymns for the day from the Becoming Beloved Community Commission:
    Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Hymnal 1982, #599)
    In Christ there is no East or West (The Hymnal 1982, #529)
    Blessed Assurance (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #184)
    We Shall Overcome (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #277)
    Order My Steps by Glenn Burleigh
    Hold On: Keep Your Hand on the Plow (also known as “Gospel Plow”) by John P. Ellis

BECOMING
BELOVED
COMMUNITY

Becoming Beloved Community Commission Invitation to Participate in
Diocesan-Wide Sacred Ground

In the late summer of 2020 the Diocese of Oklahoma launched its first Sacred Ground Dialogue Circle
series. Over 60 people participated in nine different small groups over the course of the 5 month series.
Sacred Ground is an 11-session dialogue series (1 introductory and 10 group dialogue sessions) using
film and related readings to help facilitate conversations on race and faith. All elements in the Sacred
Ground curriculum are curated, licensed, and provided by The Episcopal Church.

The Becoming Beloved Community Commission in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma invites all
individuals, clergy and lay, to participate in our second Sacred Ground Dialogue series. Sacred Ground
is part of a life-long journey to live out our Baptismal vows to strive for justice. The series will be offered
all online, beginning on June 6th and concluding on or around October 17th. The first session on June
6th is an introduction to the dialogue series and basics of the course, as well as a “meet and greet” for
each dialogue circle. Regular meetings will begin on June 13th and continue every two weeks.

The model of the dialogue circles is to be group-facilitated, meaning there is no single leader for the
whole series but rather the facilitator changes from group member to group member each week.
Individual group members are responsible for watching and reading the assigned components and
coming prepared to discuss them in group meetings. There is a maximum of 90 minutes of film/video
each session and an average of 35 pages to read. Each session also comes with a Study Guide Summary.
If you are interested in participating in Sacred Ground please fill out the following enrollment form no
later than May 31st, 2021.

Link: Sacred Ground Enrollment Form

BECOMING
BELOVED
COMMUNITY

Becoming Beloved Community Commission Additional Resources for
the Remembrance of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

Children
    Books:
       Unspeakable
       Up from the Ashes
    Movies/TV/Online:
       A Minecraft Black Wall Street History Lesson
       Greenwood Cultural Center's 6-week Learning Series (First Session Here, additional sessions
       Here)

Youth
   Books:
      Angel of Greenwood
      Tulsa Burning
   Movies/TV/Online:
      Race Massacre Survivor Stories

Adults
   Books:
       The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: A Photographic History
       Black Wall Street 100: An American City Grapples With It's Historical Racial Trauma
       Journey Toward Hope: A History of Blacks in Oklahoma
       Riot on Greenwood: The Total Destructions of Black Wall Street
       Tulsa 1921: Reporting a Massacre
       The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Race Riot of 1921
       Redreaming Dreamland: 21 Writers and Artists Reflect on the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial
       Fire in Beulah (a novel)
       Episcopal Church Racial Justice Audit of Churchwide and Diocesan Leadership (Full Report)
   Movies/TV/Online:
       The University of Oklahoma’s Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Symposium
       The History and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (from the Social Justice Commission of
       Trinity Church, Tulsa)

BECOMING
BELOVED
COMMUNITY

Becoming Beloved Community Commission Events List
for the Remembrance of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

1921 Black Wall Street: An Artistic Expression

Tulsa Opera Presents: Greenwood Rising

Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed (play)

Dedication of the Pathway of Hope and the Greenwood Memorials (Friday, May 28th 5:30
– 7:30PM)

Candlelight Vigil (Monday, May 31st 10:30 – 11:30PM)

Prayer Wall Dedication at Historic Vernon AME Church (May 31st, 10 am)
[project partially funded by Bishop's Appeal 2020]

See these and many more events at: Tulsa 2021 and Greenwood Cultural Center