The untold truth about Dick Rowland, Sarah Page and how the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre began

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre a.k.a. Tulsa Race Riot was one of the bloodiest events in United States history and remains one of the worst events in the 113-year history of the state of Oklahoma. It began because black teenager named Dick Rowland tripped or otherwise offended a white teenager named Sarah Page as he was leaving an elevator at the Drexel Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Join RJ's YT membership community: / @numberonecfbshow
🎧 THE RJ YOUNG PODCAST (iTunes) ➡️ goo.gl/SZmHjK
RJ's newsletter: rj.substack.com/
RJ on Twitter: / rj_young
RJ on Instagram: / channel
RJ on Facebook: / rjyoungshow
RJ'S SHIRT STORE goo.gl/Mog1uE
SUPPORT RJ ON PATREON goo.gl/v4yGTb
//SEND ME STUFF//
P.O. Box 700445
Tulsa, OK 74170
//BIO//
RJ Young is the host of The RJ Young Show on The Sports Animal from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CT weekdays. He has appeared on CBS Sports Network as a college football analyst and co-host. His book LET IT BANG was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2018. He was featured in Natural Light's 2019 Super Bowl commercial. He graduated with a master's in professional writing from the University of Oklahoma. He doesn't like it when his socks get wet.
#TheRJYoungShow

[@drwinstonOboogi]

The public school systems of Oklahoma taught me: *Christopher Columbus discovered America. *Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated JFK. *Absolutely nothing about the Tulsa Race Massacre.

[@donyelhurd5426]

That's what I was just saying its alot of schools that weren't teaching about this.

[@lightingbolt8148]

Sounds like a you problem

[@mraims2plez]

Yeah bruh. I grew up in Langston and Guthrie. Now I live in Houston. I learned about Tulsa 1921 from my Mom who was from Choctaw/Spencer. My history teacher was Black and he taught slavery but nothing on the 1921 massacre. I knew more about the Gap Band than I did the massacre. Most people don't know. Just need to know the history.

[@mraims2plez]

@@lightingbolt8148 Believe it or not, someone else's ignorance can actually effect you too.

[@aurorab6796]

I live in TN when Channon Christian and Eric Newsom was killed. I heard nothing about it. Heard very little about the Vanderbilt rapes, and in the town I live in their was a rapist and no news. Maybe you should look some of them up. Also thee Wichita massacre. These are just a few, many other stories, look up Michael White, Joni Donley, Devon Dunham, and Michael Hancock. All murderers that didn't do time because of horrible justice systems.

[@natebroadus8474]

How do we reconcile knowledge with emotion when it comes these kinds of atrocities? As a full-blooded Native American man, I've been asking myself that question all my life. It's our responsibility to remember, yet it's so unbelievably HARD to do that without your emotions erupting to the surface. We're only human, and inside every one of us is the capacity to let our emotions get the better of us. That's why I feel you when you said football is an escape from these subjects -- because we can't face it 24/7. Not without losing our minds. That's my opinion. God Bless, RJ. I know about the Tulsa race riot, but you are correct that not enough people are aware. It HAS to be remembered. The Trail of Tears HAS to be remembered. The murders of the Osage people by Oklahoma land and oil barons HAS to be remembered -- not to give us a reason to hate, but to give us an example of the brutality that we cannot afford to let happen again. Then we just have to remember to look at our friends, of all colors, and remind ourselves that they aren't their grandfathers. We aren't our ancestors -- and the worst possible thing we can do is use the knowledge we learned from them to keep that old hatred alive for another generation. Thank you for this video, man. You take care, and I look forward to some more football distraction. It's ok to not fill our heads with atrocities every minute of the day. In fact, it's healthier for our individual sanity that way.😌🏈

[@dman3531]

Fully aboriginal American, I wonder what would something like ancestry try and say you have relatives in other countries? But 1921 was terrible and most people in the country never knew of the atrocities

[@Lea941]

My husband lived in Oklahoma all his life until recently. He had never heard of it!! He lived in Ponca City not to far from Tulsa. He knows exactly where this happened, but had no idea of the massacre!

[@dman3531]

Bro. We were NEVER TAUGHT anything about this in school about 1921 Tulsa. I learned later. Also knew about the trail of tears moving natives to Oklahoma from a lot of the southeastern part of the country a few decades earlier but that instance is known as black wall street

[@dman3531]

I learned 1st about it on Dane Calloway's youtube channel

[@donyelhurd5426]

Same thing I said

[@foreveramber07]

Much love. Thank you for educating.

[@KingJay1513]

Thank you for being you RJ. You're my favorite Tulsan and a national treasure in my eyes. You're such a fantastic story-teller, and you have the emotion and heart that you love to see in people who go after love and justice. I'm 100% here for this kind of content

[@PhdMusic03]

Thank you for this!!!!

[@scottkueck2555]

The whole world is going to learn about this. Bought the book you referenced in this talk. Thanks for sharing and being in this space.

[@MalachiHealey]

Learn about this case where he either tripped into or sexually assaulted Sarah Page (there are allegations of both, and the well of truth is poisoned at this point), and he was heavily guarded by 6 sheriffs in a jail. Angry alleged lynch mob shows up, and there is no indication the Officers were going to lose control or hand him over(and they never did. He was acquitted later as well). Armed blacks also show up in defense and are told to leave by the officers(as were the white protestors/mob). On their way out, someone shoots first, hell breaks loose. 10 whites and 2 blacks are killed. Whites then proceed to riot for 16 hours burn down 30 something city blocks, displacing thousands. Around 25ish whites and 60ish blacks die, and hundreds are injured.

[@JayVeMontgomery]

@@MalachiHealey the well of truth is only poisoned with white supremacy.

[@MalachiHealey]

@@JayVeMontgomery Kvetch louder for them, pawn.

[@corbinreedy7846]

Thank you RJ

[@andressaresende6840]

I'm from Brazil. Thank so much for video.

[@stevedeck2982]

Great info for those who do not know. I was not taught this in school, but my parents and grandparents taught us well. I have a story about my dad and a lifelong friendship with a black kid his age that he took care of his whole life. You should make this a 5 part or more series, God Bless

[@garrettrobison5960]

Glad you’re able to shine some light on this rj. I’m a junior in high school now and it’s never been brought up in school at all and I’ve lived in Oklahoma all my life

[@sageex3931]

Yeah

[@ltchap8424]

Preciate u bruh 💪🏾

[@johnguinn1622]

Rj thanks for continuing my education. This was never discussed while I was in school. I only learned about it while attending OU. Buying books now and continuing my education, so that I can pass it on. I want my grandkids to learn this so that they know how wrong it is. The only way to break the cycle is through education and communication.

[@suzieschwartz8239]

Thank you.

[@goomba195]

I'm really happy that you don't call it a riot. That pisses me off. It's a subtle way to rewrite and mischaracterize what really happened. It's a little thing but I hear it a lot.

[@ucomeb4december]

As someone who grew up in oklahoma and was made to take oklahoma history in order to graduate high school, it disgusts me that this was not tought to us.

[@showdad9802]

Everyone needs to see this. We cannot change the past we can only learn from it. We have to a better place than we were or even are today. The system is not willing teach you anything that does not fit the narrative they want portrayed, you have to take the initiative and learn on your own. We also have to learn to deal with our philosophical differences with out being offended and being pissy about it. I may not agree with you on all matters but I respect what you have to say about it. Thank you for doing this.

[@sageex3931]

Exactly

[@AD-rx9cm]

Told you if you did it.... I’m here for it. Thank you

[@johnlucius1665]

Loved your Broadcast about HBCU's, I from Baton Rouge, LA so you know The Human Jukebox!!!!!.

[@mcfrisko834]

John Lucius Waddup 225!

[@RMS5006]

Much appreciated! Great energy & enthusiasm! Go Badgers! , Packers!, Bucks!, Cards!, Blues!😎

[@coltonsulley5447]

Learned about this in AP Oklahoma History class freshman year but didn’t know half of this. Gonna get Krehbiel’s book. Thanks for this!

[@ianlittlejohn9572]

Thanks RJ. Born and raised in North Tulsa. 53rd and Hartford. 09 BTW GRADUATE!!!!

[@razgrizraven]

What's still interesting is that Rowland and Page up and disappeared.

[@williamarmstrong5045]

Bingo

[@CollegeFootballNerds]

Haven't watched yours yet, but before I do, was curious what you thought of Vox's treatment of the Tulsa Race Massacre and whether or not it's worthy source material (if only a high level review of it)

[@fc1505]

Thank you sir for sharing your gift on such a difficult and painful subject. We are all better from the instruction, sunlight is the best disinfectant!

[@jefferyshaw8113]

Tell it RJ. I would say to my fellow Tulsans: Quit complaining you were never taught it in school, and learn about it now. And let it inform your views on race. Here we are 100 years later, seem like nothing has changed.

[@lightingbolt8148]

Exactly

[@jeanettawithwhomihaveagood1681]

I live in North Tulsa and first heard about the Tulsa Race Riots from my mother, not from school!

[@lacour1]

RJ, I am from OKC. Didn't know anything about it until I moved to L.A. years ago. Crazy!

[@GuapoVino]

I was in the Greenwood District today. I learned about it a couple years ago drinking a beer in a brewery down the street from where it happened.

[@lightingbolt8148]

I’m currently reading a book on it, about half way through of it.

[@desmondokyere]

They don’t have this historic events in our us history books.

[@roddfrances6282]

Whats the book called again Sir and also can you provide the Author

[@missyoli1227]

Would love to know what happened to Dick Rowland and Sarah Page. I can't find any information on them.

[@sageex3931]

Apparently Dick Rowland was sent free and was never seen again

[@sageex3931]

Sarah Page confessed that she was never sexually assulted

[@hatcher2262]

Ever head of JackTrice or Fred Duke Slater? That’s history brother.

[@jenmurphy6343]

I’m sure you researched Anthony Johnson, please do a video on him.

[@CollegeFootballNerds]

Also, I know this one was tough for you, but you would have kicked yourself if you didn't make it. Hope it brought a little catharsis

[@TheNaplesBuckeye]

Started Watchmen... remembered this video.

[@ltchap8424]

Lesson 🗣

[@AD-rx9cm]

Whoa!.......Now That’s Crazy! -Black Rob

[@acmexoklasooner3014]

The history of Negro Wall Street by Dean Calloway

[@amberjames4246]

🗣MESSAGE 🗣

[@kennethforeman1400]

Rj got them cut up guns... I see the brachialis Poppin... Tulse... Home of the G.A.P band... Us Indians and black folks got done wrong bro... Good content...

[@patriciahouser5737]

Oh, man. It would be great if you could reupload this talk with your head showing. Great info, but video ruined by self-decapitation. My dad used to do this to every picture he took of my mom. LOL. Hmmm....

[@donyelhurd5426]

Sad thing is is that they wasnt teaching about this in Tulsa back when I was there in 95 96 to 2003 nor was they teaching it an Oklahoma history.. it's sad but theyll teach about okc bombing

[@cameronb8503]

My dad went to Tulsa central highschool in the 60s and he learned about it. Granted, it was basically right next to Greenwood

[@donyelhurd5426]

@@cameronb8503 maybe it was the school I attended, but its alot of schools in the 90s that weren't touching this subject

[@lashundrias9510]

@@donyelhurd5426 They started white washing History for 80's kids and after. "Let's give the bare minimum 'our ancestors were terrible' possible. " I thought it was odd, getting more state specific History than U.S. History in Middle and High School. College History books are way better, if especially if you went through Public school. I have been looking at African Studies Sylabi (?) I don't want agenda. I just want to know more.

[@tyndaleisrael6058]

I'd like to know what you think of black intellectual, Thomas Sowell, who basically says the data he uncovered shows much less discrimination in America in terms of allowing black people to have a voice and rise up the ladder. Rather, he points out that for any race to thrive it must begin with a family structure with both parents remaining faithful to each other and dedicating themselves to their children. Not sure if he says this, but this last bit is easier when you have faith in God and Jesus Christ. He shows that even IQ has been shown to rise dramatically, in groups like Polish people, when this is done. God blesses those who live by the rules He established. As well, I hope you will be just as indignant to ALL injustice and violence, because every race and culture is capable of this kind of incident. It is estimated that over a million white slaves abducted from European coastal towns were held in North Africa under subjugation--no one talks about that! Will you? Doubtful. The very word slave comes from "slav" because the first slaves here were white. The Bible does not condone slave ownership after 7 years and God punishes any people who do so, as seen repeatedly in the Old Testament and in the destruction of the American South. I have been listening for 23 minutes and you have downplayed the criminal element of the black community in Tulsa that may have sparked some of this event. This may have not been the first incident of racial tensions in Tulsa. You also seem overly dismissive of the possibly of Dick Rowland being guilty. You also have neglected to mention what wikipedia talks about in the first few paragraphs: initially, 10 whites were killed and only 2 blacks. Seems like we need to be more compassionate and understanding on all sides if we are going to avoid these kinds of incidents. Sadly, the internet is now rife with black on white violence that goes unspoken about, so it seems things may only worsen if voices like yours remain silent and doubtful about the basics of the human condition: we are all corrupt and far from God, which is why we need Jesus Christ. It also seems like you downplay the notion that if America is so oppressive why were black people allowed to own guns and get up in life? What was the intent of the majority of the founders of this country? Certainly not to perpetuate slavery here or anywhere. "The massacre began over Memorial Day weekend after 19-year-old Dick Rowland, a black shoeshiner, was accused of assaulting Sarah Page, the 17-year-old white elevator operator of the nearby Drexel Building. He was taken into custody. A subsequent gathering of angry local whites outside the courthouse where Rowland was being held, and the spread of rumors he had been lynched, alarmed the local black population, some of whom arrived at the courthouse armed. Shots were fired and 12 people were killed: 10 white and 2 black.[18] As news of these deaths spread throughout the city, mob violence exploded." What would the reaction be if a black majority had a poor white minority in a similar situation today? Possibly the exact same one as happened in Tulsa so many years ago. Can you say the same thing about a majority white city in America today? Why not?

[@sangredelic]

Thanks for your post. I feel like all of the information I've been hearing about this is very vague.

[@JayVeMontgomery]

Thomas Sowell, I read him in my anthro/sociology coursework. He is one of the Jamaican immigrants who favor colonizers. He likes to point fingers at the oppressed because, he, one person doesn’t feel oppression. The right loves to use his ideas as a basis for a reality that does not exist.

[@standupbcounted2420]

Allegedly he tripped on his way onto the elevator and might of grabbed her arm, Sarah screamed, which was reported by a clerk. Also allegedly they might have been romantically linked and reunited in another city. Sarah wrote a letter to not press charges.

[@theplayaslounge]

What's so ill about this is that I learned the Tulsa Riots in the 4th grade at the public school in St. Louis I attended (Which btw White ppl looked down us). There's no excuse that so many don't actually know US History.

[@donyelhurd5426]

But you where taught this while in St Louis, but here in Oklahoma an in Tulsa it was hidden in brushed under the rug in kept secret to many of us.. yes I knew about the black wall street just from friends in family but never knew it was a Massacre that came along with it... not a fucking riot but a Massacre... they didnt teach it when i was in school there in 95 to 2003, but maybe it was the school I was at.. then there are many others that didnt learn..

[@theplayaslounge]

@@donyelhurd5426 Yes I was taught this while St. Louis while in elementary school. I read up more on it as I got older because I felt it was something that I needed to know more on as well as other events in US History that were not taught in school.

[@dg1234ify]

Funny