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Last year, 2021 marked 100 years since the 1921 Attack on Greenwood destroyed what was commonly known as Black Wall Street, one of the most prosperous Black communities in the early twentieth century. In the wake of renewed public interest in this story the nation is fixated on unearthing evidence of trauma and violence done to this historic community. However, a new collaborative archaeology project titled “Mapping Historical Trauma in Tulsa from 1921 to 2021” remains focused on finding signs of life and recovery in the aftermath of the massacre, as the Greenwood community rebuilt their homes, businesses and churches and continue to fight against erasure and gentrification in the present day.

Join Dr. Alicia Odewale (a native Tulsan, archaeologist, educator, and descendant of a survivor) as she continues to utilize community-centered, restorative justice, anti-racist and Black feminist archaeology methods to examine the aftermath of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. She will present some preliminary results of this collaborative research including the use of restorative justice archaeology and surviving cultural landscapes to bear witness to trauma and erasure that is no longer visible above ground. Using archaeology as a tool for social justice, this field has the power to reclaim and reimagine that which was taken by violence. Blending archaeology, history, radical mapping, and digital humanities provides a way to not only visualize the impact of the massacre through time but share a greater story of Black resilience through time.

A panel discussion will follow the presentation, featuring:

• Dr. Yuichiro Onishi, African American & African Studies, and Asian American Studies, University of Minnesota
• Dr. Rose Brewer, African American & African Studies, University of Minnesota
• Dr. Bula Siriki Wayessa, African American & African Studies, University of Minnesota
• Dr. Kat Hayes, Anthropology, University of Minnesota

This event is hosted by African American & African Studies Department, University of Minnesota and co-sponsored by: Anthropology, Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and East Side Freedom Library.