By Joe Conner
One hundred years ago, terror came to Tulsa’s Black Wall Street and to the small town of Fairfax, Oklahoma.
Both populated by well-to-do minorities, African Americans in Tulsa and Osage Indians in Fairfax. Many whites did not believe their prosperity was deserved. Many believed this wealth to have come by “hook or crook” or just “dumb luck.” The plunder and murder of Blacks and Osages were easily justified by bigoted, greedy and envious whites.
For us Osages, most whites in the 1920s thought our oil wealth was the result of luck. We were removed from Kansas in 1870 to what many regarded as a barren, worthless reservation, now Osage County. We were expected to be satisfied living off government handouts until we learned to live as whites.
In fact, just as the Blacks in Greenwood, Osages made the best of a bad situation. For centuries we knew Osage County held oil — the area had been part of our traditional hunting grounds. We found oil seeps on these hunts.
In the 1880s our ancestors went by train to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to visit their children at the Carlisle Indian School. They traveled through the oil fields of western Pennsylvania and learned the value of oil.
Then for over a decade, we resisted our reservation from being broken up by the U.S. under the Dawes General Allotment Act. Because we had paid for our reservation in cash with the sale from our Kansas lands, and because our tribal leaders were smart, Washington agreed to let us retain the mineral rights to Osage County.
Through enterprise and hard work, Blacks in Greenwood built wealth. Through resistance, clever negotiation and management, the Osages became wealthy.
Oil wealth wouldn’t come for 30 years after removal from Kansas, we did not wait for oil to make us wealthy. Our ancestors formed a constitutional government in 1881, then leased swaths of prairie to Texas cattlemen. As early as the 1890s, we were considered to be among the wealthiest people in the world, years before the moniker of “oil-rich Indians.”
People in Greenwood and my ancestors did not become prosperous by “hook or crook” or from “dumb luck.” We earned it.
Yet, many whites did not give us credit for capitalizing on the very system that they had used for their own prosperity, with the added advantage of having political, military and economic power — the benefit of white privilege. Was their good fortune due to “hook or crook” or was it just “dumb luck”?
Because we looked different and our ways of adapting to the circumstances were different from white people, it was easy to disparage us, call us names, dehumanize us and finally kill us.
It is no coincidence that Greenwood was destroyed and the Osage Reign of Terror began. The motives of greed, envy and bigotry fueled both. They began early and continue today, compounded by fear of losing the entitlement of privilege.
It’s not that we Indians or Blacks are without prejudices. But who is doing the discrimination makes the difference in creating and maintaining chronic inequalities, disparities in wealth, health, and living conditions in this great country of ours.
The Tulsa Race Massacre and the Osage Reign of Terror in Fairfax are linked by long-standing, damaging systemic racism. It is time to acknowledge what happened and unguardedly accept that systemic inequalities and injustices continue today. It is time to memorialize both tragedies but importantly begin the work of ending social and economic injustice.
Editorial Pages Editor Wayne Greene reads, "New legislative district map better reflects the state"
Throwback Tulsa: Leonardo DiCaprio appears on set in Pawhuska as filming of 'Killers of the Flower Moon' continues in Oklahoma one year ago
Leonardo DiCaprio films a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio was photographed May 24 while on set for “Killers of the Flower Moon” in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons photos, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio films a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio films a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio films a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons Tulsa World
Martin Scorsese stands on the set of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Martin Scorsese stands on the set of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Martin Scorsese stands on the set of "Killers of the Flower Moon."
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio between scenes on the set of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio between scenes on the set of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio between scenes on the set of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio between scenes on the set of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons Tulsa World
Actors practice a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors are seen on the set for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors are seen on the set for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
An actor walks in the rain on the set of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors ride their horses to the set for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors ride their horses to the set for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
The movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" is filmed on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors are seen in a train as they film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" Monday, on May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
“Killers of the Flower Moon,” a shot-in-Oklahoma Martin Scorsese film adaptation of David Grann’s bestselling book, is expected to arrive in theaters late this year.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World Magazine file
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors practice a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday, May 24, in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
A locomotive is seen as actors rehearse a scene for the movie based on the book “Killers of the Flower Moon” May 24 in Pawhuska.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Martin Scorsese is seen on the set of the movie based on the book “Killers of the Flower Moon” on May 24, 2021, in Pawhuska. The film will premiere May 20 at Cannes.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World file
Vernon Schacklefoot walks downtown as a crew films a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Crews work to transform downtown for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Crews work on set for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors on set for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Motorists try to get a look as actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Vernon Schacklefoot walks downtown as a crew films a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio films a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Vernon Schacklefoot walks downtown as a crew films a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Vernon Schacklefoot walks downtown as a crew films a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
An actor rides a horse on set as crews film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Crews work to transform downtown for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors on set for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Martin Scorsese on the set for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Bystanders watch as crews film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Bystanders watch as crews film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Crews work to transform downtown for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Bystanders watch as crews film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Leonardo DiCaprio films a scene for the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
An actor stands on a dirt covered road as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors stand on the set during filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Director Martin Scorsese(center) works on set as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Director Martin Scorsese works on set as filming of the movie based on the book “Killers of the Flower Moon” begins.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Director Martin Scorsese(center) works on set as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
An antique car is backed into place down a dirt road as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
BELOW: Actor Robert De Niro films a scene of the movie based on the book “Killers of the Flower Moon” on May 10 in Fairfax.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene for the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" on May 10 in Fairfax.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Robert De Niro on the set as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors on the set during filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
A man sits on a porch across the street as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Robert De Niro on the set as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors stand on the set during filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
An actor squats on a dirt covered road as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Security personnel spot photographers and spectators as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons
Actors film a scene of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons
Actors film a scene of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons
Filming of “Killers of the Flower Moon” takes place on May 10, 2021, in Fairfax.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Director Martin Scorsese works on set as filming of the movie based on the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" takes place Monday, May 10, 2021 in Fairfax, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Robert De Niro is seen on the set as filming of the movie based on the book “Killers of the Flower Moon” takes place Monday in Fairfax.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie “Killers of the Flower Moon,” s story set in early 20th century Osage County.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie "Killers of the Flower Moon" in Fairfax.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Actors film a scene of the movie "Killers of the Flower Moon" on Monday in Fairfax.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
A bicyclist rides downtown film while workers transform the town for the filming of the movie based on the book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Monday, May 24, 2021 in Pawhuska, Okla.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Joe Conner is Osage and lives in Fairfax. He holds a doctorate in experimental psychology, runs an American Indian Health Research business and is publisher of the Fairfax Chief. He served as an Osage Government Reform Commissioner and helped draft the 2006 Osage Nation Constitution.
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