Reflection: TulsaRace Massacre By Rebecca Levit

As the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre approaches, I took some time to reflect on the event. While doing some research, I came across an image that showed two African American men working, with a woman sitting in between them, typewriter in hand. I had seen this picture when briefly learning about the Massacre in class. However, something about it struck me differently than before. I clicked on the image and noticed the caption identified the two men as prominent African American lawyers and civil rights activists but mentioned nothing about the woman. Frustrated with this lack of information, my dad helped me reach out to John W. Franklin, who worked at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and is the grandson of B.C. Franklin, the

lawyer in the image. After showing Mr. Franklin the picture at the museum, he explained that the woman was named Effie Thompson, and she was the temporary secretary to the two men after her and her husband’s pharmacy was burned down in the massacre. From this limited research, I can tell not only that Effie’s life extends far beyond the picture I have now framed, but that history is not always as clear as what meets the eye. That image was a snapshot of a horrific event that still stains our city nearly 100 years later. It is my reminder not to always trust the caption that has a tendency of leaving perspectives out. It is my reminder to go the extra mile and try to find the answers that include everyone and will help create a more equal, empathetic future.

(Photo printed with permission & courtesy of The Tulsa Historical Society)

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