Today, President @JoeBiden visits Tulsa, OK to participate in a remembrace ceremony honoring the lives of Black people killed by racist white mobs during an attack on 'Black Wall Street' in 1921. Cvg later 4 @CourthouseNews.
(Background via @KailaPhilo courthousenews.com/past-due-black…)
(Background via @KailaPhilo courthousenews.com/past-due-black…)
Marking the centennial of this dark day and the systemic economic oppression that persists (see: redlining, for one), the President & Veep are rolling out two initiatives to "narrow the racial wealth gap and reinvest in communities that have been left behind by failed policies"
The Biden admin plans on launching "an interagency effort" to address inequity in home appraisals and will toughen rules for housing discrimination. Disadvantaged businesses will see a boost too, the admin wants to increase fed contracting rates w/them by 50%.
As part of Biden's American Jobs Plan, in order to build wealth in communities of color, the admin is now proposing formation of a $10B - with a b - a fund to support community-led infrastructure projects that build local wealth, provide services and "strengthen social cohesion"
$15B will be set aside for "new grants & technical assistance to support the planning, removal or retrofitting of existing transportation infrastructure that creates a barrier to community connectivity.. mobility, access, economic development"
The admin also proposes a new Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit which it says would lure private investors to develop and rehab affordable homes; there's also $5B for a new grant program for communities who take steps to create affordable housing and expand housing for low income
Also a part of Biden American Jobs Plan, is a $31B investment for small biz programs that are aimed at improving access to capital, providing mentoring, networking & other assistance to obtain fed contracts for those in socially and/or economically disadvantaged situations.
The White House says it is aimed at correcting past harms, reducing pollution, creating more public/green spaces, supporting local biz, increasing job opportunities for all, and laying the groundwork for more equitable transit and affordable housing
The White House says Biden heads to Tulsa today recognizing atrocities committed there still "have echoes" in countless Black communities throughout the nation.
Related, re: reckoning with systems built on white supremacy, more from @KailaPhilo:
ICYMI courthousenews.com/how-reparation…
Related, re: reckoning with systems built on white supremacy, more from @KailaPhilo:
ICYMI courthousenews.com/how-reparation…
Also related: bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
And a study from 2018: brookings.edu/research/deval…
And in case you missed the president's proclamation, link below.
"The Federal Government must reckon with and acknowledge the role that it has played in stripping wealth and opportunity from Black communities."
More:
whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…
"The Federal Government must reckon with and acknowledge the role that it has played in stripping wealth and opportunity from Black communities."
More:
whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…
President Biden delivering remarks now, he toured the Hall of Survivors at the Greenwood Cultural Center today. During the tour, he met with survivors including Viola 'Mother' Fletcher, Hughes, 'Uncle Red' Van Ellis and Lessie "Mother Randle" Benningfield Randle, all over 100.
For much too long the history of what took place here was silent, cloaked in darkness. But just because it was silent, doesn't mean it didn't take place. Darkness can hide much but it erases nothing. Some things are so heinous, they cannot be buried, Biden says.
Biden is also the first president to visit Tulsa for the anniversary of this massacre of Black Americans by a white mob.
To all the descendants of those who have suffered, that's why we are here, to shine a light and make sure America knows the story in full, Biden says.
More in my report soon for @CourthouseNews.
More in my report soon for @CourthouseNews.
Black doctors, lawyers, teachers, hospitals, libraries, churches, schools, Black veterans who fought, volunteered and came home only to still fought prejudice - these are the people who made up Greenwood before it was razed by racist whites.
Hotels, roller skating rinks, all around, Black pride was shared by the professional and working class who lived together side by side for blocks on end. Mother Randle was just 6, living with her grandma. She was lucky to have a home and toys and fortunate to live w/o fear.
Mother Fletcher was 7 years old. Van Ellis was just a few months old. They were children of former sharecroppers and when they went to bed at night in Greenwood, they went to bed in a neighborhood that was rich in culture, community, heritage. But one night changed everything.
Greenwood was a community to itself but it wasn't separated from the outside or the hate just outside its bounds.
There were laws enforced "by badge and by noose," Biden notes.
There were laws enforced "by badge and by noose," Biden notes.
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