BLACK HISTORY MONTH
TERROR IN OKLAHOMA
Ever since 9/11, much has been made of the word "Terrorism" by the US government. It has been used to advance many agendas by the current administration. Domestically, it has been used to pass laws so Draconian, it has set the country back many years in terms of civil liberties and social issues. Internationally, it has been used to invade and occupy a country that has not even been involved in any terrorist activities.
One of the deadliest domestic terrorist acts that was perpetrated on Americans was in Oklahoma. No, it was not the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing in Oklahoma by Timothy McVeigh. This terrorist act was committed in 1921 in Tulsa Oklahoma.
Although accounts of the actual reason that triggered the incident differ slightly from source to source, it was caused by an unfortunate and accidental encounter between a 17-year-old white woman, Sarah Page, and a young shoe shining black man named Dick Rowland.
According to one of the accounts, Mr Rowland, upon entering the elevator Ms Page was operating, tripped and to break his fall, accidentally touched Ms Page. Ms Page then let out a scream or gasp, which led to the involvement of others who automatically accused Mr Rowland of assault on Sarah Page.
Mr Rowland was arrested the next day which led to one of the most atrocious terrorist acts committed by Americans on Americans supported by the US government. The event served as an excuse by white racists to destroy a thriving black community in Greenwood Oklahoma, which was known as "The Black Wall Street" for its thriving economy.
Below are links to this incident from different sources.
Please read on.
“ …after we left a whistle blew. The shots rang from a machine gun located on Standpipe Hill near my residence and aeroplanes began to fly over us, in some instances very low to the ground. A cry was heard from the women saying, "Look out for the aeroplanes, they are shooting upon us."
http://www.tulsareparations.org/TulsaRiot.htm
"Sometime near 1:00 am, the mayor and chief of police sent a message to the Governor informing him that the riot was out of control and requested assistance. The Governor activated the Oklahoma National Guard and requested two companies of soldiers from Fort Sill. The first group of Guardsmen arrived before 2:30 am. By 5:00 am, a mob of 10,000 - 15,000 whites gathered near First St. and Elgin then marched on Greenwood (Little Africa)."
http://www.toptags.com/aama/events/okriot.htm
Wikipedia account:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_Race_Riot
Speaking of terrorists, I guess as a democrat, you're now officially a terrorist sympathazier. I got this e-mail from the Democratic party, and thought I'd share it with you.
From: Tom McMahon
Date: February 15, 2007 2:07pm
Subject: I'm a terrorist sympathizer?
Dear Friends,
According to House Minority Leader John Boehner, I'm a "terrorist sympathizer," and you probably are too.
Just days ago on the floor of the House of Representatives, the Republican leader claimed that "al Qaeda and terrorist sympathizers around the world are trying to divide us here at home. Over the next few days, we have an opportunity to show our enemies that we will not take the bait."
This isn't the first time Republicans have linked Democrats with terrorists at the time of an important vote. In fact, it's become the norm.
In October 2004, then-Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert claimed that al Qaeda "would like to influence this election" and would be more comfortable if John Kerry were elected.
This past August, Vice President Cheney claimed that anti-war voters in Connecticut were encouraging "al Qaeda types" to "break the will of the American people in terms of our ability to stay the fight and complete the task."
And just days before our landslide victory in the November midterm elections, President Bush claimed that "the Democrat[ic] approach in Iraq comes down to this: The terrorists win and America loses."
Put a stop to the slander. Help the Democrats pass the House Iraq resolution, and help wavering Republicans stand up to this rhetoric:
http://www.democrats.org/noescalation
The "bait" that Boehner refers to is the House Democrats' war resolution that Governor Dean emailed you about on Tuesday -- a vote of no-confidence in the president's plan to escalate the war in Iraq.
You see, with 70% of the public opposing escalation and potentially 60 Republicans crossing party lines, the Republican leadership is resorting to desperate measures to try to fool the American people and stop this damning vote.
Support the Iraq resolution -- and tell Boehner that we aren't buying his publicity stunts:
http://www.democrats.org/noescalation
The Republicans know the mess they're in. In a desperate letter to their Republican colleagues, Congressmembers John Shadegg and Peter Hoekstra wrote:
"The debate should not be about the surge or its details. This debate should not even be about the Iraq war to date, mistakes that have been made, or whether we can, or cannot, win militarily. If we let Democrats force us into a debate on the surge or the current situation in Iraq, we lose."
Why are Republicans scared of a debate on America's top issue? And why can't they stand up to the Democrats on the current situation in Iraq?
Because it wasn't the Democratic Party that led us into a war on false pretenses. Democrats didn't alienate our global allies by ignoring diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution. Democrats didn't reject the advice of our military leaders, who recommended we change the course. And Democrats didn't decide to put more of our troops in harm/s way to interfere in a bloody civil war with no end in sight.
The Democrats didn't start this war, but we're working to end it -- and the House resolution is an important first step to changing the course and bringing our brave men and women home.
Support the Iraq resolution today:
http://www.democrats.org/noescalation
Don't let John Boehner imply that we are terrorist sympathizers. Don't let the Republican leadership continue these publicity stunts.
While they try, we'll be busy fighting back and governing.
Sincerely,
Tom McMahon
(Comment this)
Dear CHEREKA,
On January 24, 2007 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopian Airlines denied boarding to Ethiopian passengers without their consent. The principal reason was the fact that they were Ethiopians.
I believe that everyone of us should be treated equally. And the last thing I want to experience is discrimination in my own country. I insist that Ethiopian Airlines improves the way it treats it's customers.
A petition is underway. You can see the full story along with the petition here http://www.gopetition.com/online/11240.html
Please read the full story and consider notifying your readers about it.
Thank you. (Comment this)