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“A Community Forever Altered” Reading Response

[File > Make a Copy] || Due Wednesday 9/06/23

1. What is the thesis that the author develops throughout this article? What evidence and examples support that
thesis? (12)
Thesis

An eyewitness account of the May 31, 1921, racial massacre that destroyed what was known as Tulsa, Oklahoma’s
“Black Wall Street,” are searing.

Evidence & Examples

1.“That’s what leads to Greenwood being called the Black Wall Street. It had restaurants and furriers and jewelry
stores and hotels,” John W. Franklin explains “and the white mobs looted the homes and businesses before they set
fire to the community. For years black women would see white women walking down the street in their jewelry and
snatch it off.”
2. “I could see planes circling in mid-air. They grew in number and hummed, darted and dipped low. I could hear
something like hail falling upon the top of my office building. Down East Archer, I saw the old Mid-Way hotel on
fire, burning from its top, and then another and another and another building began to burn from their top,” wrote
Buck Colbert Franklin (1879-1960).
3. “.The sidewalks were literally covered with burning turpentine balls. I knew all too well where they came from,
and I knew all too well why every burning building first caught from the top,” he continues. “I paused and waited
for an opportune time to escape.

2. What were the causes and effects of the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 according to the author? List at least 3 of each. (12)
Causes Effects

The white people were jealous of the black peoples They wanted to kill black people and take their things
money.

A black person assulted a white man The white people were allowed to assult more and more
black people

African Americans became wealthy because of the The place became the black wall street.
discovery of oil

3. How does the inclusion of the eyewitness account contribute to the article? Write 4 complete, thoughtful
sentences. (16)
Including eyewitness accounts in reports makes the whole thing way more accurate. Like, without those accounts
were stuck with just photos from the scene which are not always accurate. When people actually see it go down we
can get a way more detailed and firsthand description. It helps us understand what happened at the scene. Plus,
these accounts can either back up or debunk certain accusations of the massacre so getting a firsthand response is
imporant.

4. Read the dictionary entry. (10)

decimate /dĕs´ə-māt/ v 1. to select by lot and kill one in every ten of 2. to inflict
great destruction or damage on 3. to reduce markedly in amount 4. to exact a tax of
10 percent from
Which definition best matches the meaning of the word decimated as it is used in paragraph 19?
A. Definition 1
B. Definition 2
C. Definition 3
D. Definition 4
5. Franklin uses the word massacre in paragraph 20 to highlight the fact that —(10)
A. Black people did not initiate the systematic attack against them
B. the attack in Tulsa was an unfortunate accident
C. Tulsa has a long history of violence against marginalized groups
D. white people accused Black people of initiating the violent incident

6. Highlight the words or phrases from paragraph 1 of the selection that convey a dramatic tone. Select 2. (10)
The ten-page manuscript (A) is typewritten, on yellowed legal paper, and folded in thirds. (B) But the words,
an (C) eyewitness account of the May 31, 1921, (D) racial massacre that destroyed what was known as Tulsa,
Oklahoma’s “Black Wall Street,” are (E) searing.

7. How does Buck Colbert Franklin’s firsthand account of the bombing of Tulsa most contribute to the selection? (10)
A. Franklin’s account reflects the complexity and variety of the author’s narrative style.
B. It presents the only evidence of how Tulsa was destroyed and so many people died.
C. His account makes an ordinary description of an important historical event engaging.
D. It adds realism through Franklin’s vivid description of his experiences of the bombing.

8. Read the dictionary entry. (10)

suppress \sə-prĕs´\ v 1. to put an end to forcibly; subdue 2. to keep from being revealed, published, or
circulated 3. to restrain the growth, activity, or release of 4. to deliberately exclude (unacceptable desires or
thoughts) from the mind
Which definition best matches the meaning of the word suppressed as it is used in paragraph 28?
A. Definition 1
B. Definition 2
C. Definition 3
D. Definition 4

9. Which phrase describes the author’s most likely purpose for writing the selection? (10)
A. To argue that learning about events like the Tulsa massacre is needed to understand history and bring about
justice
B. To compare the events of the Tulsa massacre with other massacres in Wilmington, Washington, D.C., and
Chicago
C. To contrast various eyewitness accounts of the Tulsa massacre with contemporary newspaper articles
reporting on the event
D. To focus on how the contributions of John W. Franklin and Paul Gardullo helped bring the Tulsa massacre
to national attention