https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wpRM7DM0PomEDhvmEFgGLMYB55C9R1x1/view?usp=sharing

1. Quoted Sentences:

1. “On May 31 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mobs of white residents brutally attacked the African American community of Greenwood, colloquially known as ‘Black Wall Street,’ in the deadliest racial massacre in U.S. history.”
– Importance: This sentence sets the context for the image by highlighting the significance of the historical event—the Tulsa Race Massacre. Understanding this event is crucial to comprehending why the image holds such historical weight.

2. “Photo postcards of the Tulsa Race Massacre were widely distributed following the massacre in 1921.”
– Importance: This sentence reveals how the event was commercialized and suggests a sinister motive behind the production and distribution of these postcards—to assert white racial dominance and possibly to intimidate African Americans.

3. “Like postcards depicting lynchings, these souvenir cards were powerful declarations of white racial power and control.”
– Importance: This draws a parallel with other historical atrocities, such as lynchings, where similar tactics were used to reinforce racial hierarchies and terrorize Black communities. Understanding this parallel helps to grasp the oppressive intentions behind the creation of such postcards.

4. “Decades later, the cards served as evidence for community members working to recover the forgotten history of the riot and secure justice for its victims and their descendants.”
– Importance: This sentence shifts the perspective from the initial use of the postcards as tools of terror to their later role as historical evidence in the struggle for justice. It highlights the importance of preserving such artifacts for historical accountability and education.

1. Background Information:

To understand this text more deeply, several background topics need to be explored:

1. Tulsa Race Massacre: The event involved a large-scale attack on the prosperous Black neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by mobs of white residents. Dozens, possibly hundreds, of African Americans were killed, their homes and businesses were destroyed, and thousands were left homeless. Knowing the details of this event helps contextualize the image and understand its historical impact.

2. Black Wall Street: This term refers to the Greenwood District, which was a highly successful and affluent African American community. Understanding its economic and cultural significance makes the violent destruction of Greenwood even more poignant.

3. History of Lynching Postcards: These postcards were used in a similar fashion—to glorify acts of racial violence and to intimidate and terrorize African Americans. Learning about these can show how such images were part of a broader pattern of racial terror in the United States.

4. Historical Preservation and Justice Movements: Understanding how historical artifacts are used in movements for justice and historical accountability can provide insight into why preserving such painful memories is essential for healing and education.

1. Suggested Resources for Background Reading:

1. Books:
– “The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921” by Tim Madigan
– “Death in a Promised Land: The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921” by Scott Ellsworth

2. Articles:
– “The Tulsa Race Massacre: 100 Years Later” by The New York Times
– “What the Archives Reveal about Tulsa’s Infamous 1921 Race Riot” by History.com

3. Documentaries:
– “Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre” (History Channel)
– “The Legacy of the Tulsa Massacre” (PBS’s “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross”)

1. Re-engage and Reflect:

I invite you to revisit the text and the image, now armed with this deeper understanding of the historical context and significance. Perhaps there are additional details or questions that stand out upon re-reading. Feel free to share any new insights or thoughts that you have in a reply!

Created By
Unidentified
Owned By
Ross, J. Kavin, American
Date
1921
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper, with ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 3 7/16 × 5 7/16 in. (8.7 × 13.8 cm)
Caption
On May 31 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mobs of white residents brutally attacked the African American community of Greenwood, colloquially known as “Black Wall Street,” in the deadliest racial massacre in U.S. history. Amidst the violence, both white rioters and the Oklahoma National Guard rounded up black residents of Greenwood and forced them to detention centers. More than 6,000 African Americans were interned at the Convention Hall, the Tulsa County Fairgrounds, and the baseball stadium McNulty Park. Some were held for as long as eight days.
Photo postcards of the Tulsa Race Massacre were widely distributed following the massacre in 1921. Like postcards depicting lynchings, these souvenir cards were powerful declarations of white racial power and control. Decades later, the cards served as evidence for community members working to recover the forgotten history of the riot and secure justice for its victims and their descendants.
Description
A sepia-toned photographic postcard of National Guardsmen with a machine gun mounted on the back of a flat-bed truck on the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma during the Tulsa Race Massacre. Several soldiers are on the back of the truck with the weapon, one standing and one kneeling to the left of the gun and one at the gun sight. Several other soldiers march next to the truck, backs to the camera. Other vehicles and soldiers are visible on the street in the background of the image. Written in white at the bottom of the image is [NATIONAL GUARD / MACHINE GUN CREW / DURING TULSA RACE RIOT 6-1-21]. The verso is marked [POST CARD] at the top with spaces for [CORRESPONDENCE] and [ADDRESS] and an AZO stamp box in the top right corner.
Place Depicted
Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
gelatin silver prints
photographic postcards
Topic
Communities
Military
Photography
Race relations
Race riots
Tulsa Race Massacre
U.S. History, 1919-1933
Violence
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object Number
2011.175.11
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark

Certainly! Let’s follow the ant’s journey and describe the image from top left to bottom right.

Image Description:
- Title: Tar Beach 2
- Artist: Faith Ringgold

Starting Point (Top Left Corner):
- The top left corner starts with a section of a quilt-like border. The quilt is composed of small, patterned fabric squares.
- The colors here are primarily muted earth tones with hints of red, yellow, and green.

Moving Rightward Along the Top Edge:
- The quilt border continues, maintaining a consistent pattern and color scheme.
- Below this border, an outdoor scene unfolds.

Central Upper Section:
- The sky is a deep blue, transitioning into lighter shades of blue and white, suggesting a clear evening.
- Two human figures appear to be floating or flying in the sky. Their limbs are outstretched, and they are wearing casual, colorful clothing.
- The figures are outlined with bold lines and filled with bright colors.

Top Center to Top Right:
- The top right corner continues the quilt border, still composed of small, patterned squares.
- Below the border, more of the blue sky is visible with a few scattered stars.

Moving Downward from the Top Right:
- As we move down, we encounter the rooftop scene.
- There is a rectangular rooftop area with several people lounging or interacting in various ways.
- The rooftop is depicted with a grid-like pattern, indicating tiles or bricks.
- The figures are diverse in terms of age, gender, and posture. Some are lying down, others are seated, and a few are standing.
- The colors of their clothes are vibrant and varied, contrasting with the more subdued tones of the rooftop.

Middle Section:
- The rooftop is bordered by a low wall, beyond which the cityscape extends.
- Buildings are depicted with simple geometric shapes and flat colors.
- Windows are represented by small rectangles, some illuminated and others dark.

Moving Further Downward:
- More human figures appear, engaged in various leisurely activities.
- There is a table with food items and a few chairs around it.
- A child is seen flying a kite, which extends into the sky above.

Bottom Section:
- The bottom part of the image continues the quilt border pattern, completing the frame.
- The quilt squares here are consistent with the ones seen at the top, maintaining the same color palette and patterns.

Final Point (Bottom Right Corner):
- The bottom right corner finishes the journey with the last section of the quilt border.
- The overall scene captures a sense of community and leisure on a city rooftop, framed by the intricate quilt border that adds a sense of warmth and continuity.

The painting uses bright, engaging colors and a mix of realistic and fantastical elements to depict a vibrant urban scene. The quilt border adds a tactile, homely feel to the composition, emphasizing themes of family and community.

Let’s start with the first painting:

1. First Painting:
– Title: Untitled
– Artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat
– Visual Elements:
– Background: Primarily white with patches of various colors.
– Colors: Predominantly black, red, yellow, and blue.
– Forms:
– Central figure resembling a human skull with exaggerated features.
– Various abstract shapes and squiggly lines.
– Text elements with phrases and words scattered throughout.
– Several areas of dense, chaotic line work.
– Composition: The painting has a dynamic, almost frenetic feel due to the overlapping shapes and lines.

2. Second Painting:
– Title: Noon
– Artist: Joan Mitchell
– Visual Elements:
– Background: Largely white, though it is less prominent due to the dense application of paint.
– Colors: Dominated by blue, green, yellow, and hints of red.
– Forms:
– Abstract, non-representational shapes and strokes.
– Brushstrokes are broad and appear layered.
– Paint is applied thickly in some areas, creating texture.
– No discernible text or figurative elements.
– Composition: The painting feels balanced despite the seemingly random placement of colors and strokes. There is a sense of depth created by the layering of paint.

Comparison:
- Color Use:
– Both paintings use vivid colors, but Basquiat’s work has more contrast with stark black lines and text, whereas Mitchell’s has a softer, more blended palette.
- Form and Structure:
– Basquiat’s painting includes recognizable forms (like the skull) and text, creating a more narrative or symbolic structure.
– Mitchell’s painting is entirely abstract, focusing on the interplay of color and texture without representing specific objects.
- Texture and Technique:
– Basquiat’s work includes sharp lines and clear figures, with a mix of chaotic and controlled elements.
– Mitchell’s work is characterized by thick, expressive brushstrokes and a textured surface.
- Overall Impression:
– Basquiat’s painting feels more intense and confrontational due to its use of figures and text.
– Mitchell’s painting feels more harmonious and immersive, with a focus on the physicality of the paint itself.