Furedi vs. History: The Ultimate Showdown
1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Thoughts on Colonialism
I was born and raised in Oklahoma, otherwise known as “No Man’s Land.” However, that label was a misnomer because American Indians lived upon this rich soil for centuries before white settlers arrived in the early 1800s. Even more settlers came during the 1830s when the Trail of Tears occurred, which forced tribal citizens to leave their homelands and walk at gunpoint to the territory that is now known as Oklahoma, Land of the Red Man. My son, a Muscogee (Creek) citizen is a fifth generation descendent from this tragedy.
Colonialism remains to be a dark stain on U.S. history despite attempts to cover it up. It assumes that one group of people have the right to suppress, control, and exploit another, which is inherently out of alignment with Biblical scripture that states all mankind is made in the image of God. In The War Against the Past, author Frank Furedi talks about the whitewashing of history to align with accepted cultural norms. “Validating identity through the imaginative rewriting of history is an integral component of 21st century politicization of identity.”[1] It allows the cultural leaders to spin the story in a way that “Draws on historical injustices to validate itself.”[2]
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
Another example of whitewashed history is the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which was a violent attempt to maintain a racial hierarchy and suppress Black economic and social progress, much like the broader patterns of exploitation and control seen in colonialism.
It wasn’t until I was in my twenties and lived in Tulsa that I learned of the hidden story of the massacre. In fact, I lived less than 20 miles from the very spot where it happened. Still today, this dark chapter in American history remains glossed over in Oklahoma schools.
In May 1921, a white mob attacked the prosperous Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, also known as Black Wallstreet, after a false accusation of assault was made against a 19-year-old Black man named Dickie Rowland. The mob violently destroyed homes, businesses, and entire neighborhoods. Hundreds of Black residents died, and thousands were displaced.
For decades, however, the event has been minimized by Caucasian leaders and citizens to downplay the death toll and even shift blame onto the victims themselves. These efforts to hide the truth have continued for years. However, there is a renewed push by apologists to reveal what really happened on that fateful day, especially as it is told by the two remaining survivors, ages 6 and 7, when it happened and are 110 and 111 years old today, respectively.
Theatrics: Control of the Narrative Means Control of the Political Agenda
Furedi, a sociologist, argues that more than ever, modern societies are rewriting history or rejecting it altogether to appeal to what he calls grievance archaeologists. He contends, “Different groups and movements aim to control historical memory to advance their agendas, often by focusing on grievances or past injustices, distorting history in the process.”[3] He goes on to say that identity tensions, aversion to risks, and fear, especially excessive fear of things like terrorism, health threats, or environmental disasters, are shaping contemporary politics and culture.
This phenomenon of bending the truth of history is not new, particularly among film and media personalities. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan is among many leaders throughout history who have used storytelling and selective memory to shape public perception. However, while fear is a powerful emotion that moves people to take action, Reagan utilized positivity. He was a master at storytelling, evoking a sense of humility, optimism, and individual responsibility. He conveyed these values through themes and by sharing his personal experiences, which gave him a meaningful pathway to share his vision for America and inspire a national identity based on the ideals of freedom and independence.[4] To Furedi, the whitewashing of society’s collective memory leads to the loss of a coherent sense of self and community, contributing to the “Emergence of the condition of social amnesia.”[5]
Now What?
After reading The War Against the Past, my beliefs opposing colonialism are affirmed by what Furedi calls whitewashing of history, which glosses over the violent exploitation and dehumanization in the name of colonial expansion. In Oklahoma, that expansion included the forced displacement of Native peoples, and the violence used to maintain racial and economic hierarchies among Black citizens living in the Greenwood community.
These practices are morally wrong, unbiblical, and destructive to the well-being of individuals and societies. I believe that colonialism’s impacts should be acknowledged and addressed by taking a critical look at history from multiple sources and angels to uncover hidden truths.
History is not just a collection of dates and facts but a living truth that shapes our present and future. By seeking accurate history, we honor the experiences of those who lived it and whose stories may have been ignored or misrepresented. We also help ensure that future generations are more accurately informed by an honest understanding of the past.
[1] Furedi, Frank. The War against the Past: Why the West Must Fight for Its History. Cambridge Medford: polity, 2024. P 146
[2] Ibid P. 145.
[3] Ibid. P.144.
[4] Reagan, Ronald. An American Life. First Threshold Editions trade paperback edition. New York London Toronto Sydney: Threshold Editions, 2011.
[5] Furedi, Frank. The War against the Past: Why the West Must Fight for Its History. Cambridge Medford: polity, 2024. P.208
About the Author
Jennifer Eckert
Fundraising director, people connector, believer in second chances, fights poverty, supports justice reform, lives a life integrated with Matthew 25.10 responses to “Furedi vs. History: The Ultimate Showdown”
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Jennifer,
Thanks for your post. I just heard the Trail of Tears being mentioned in a podcast I was listening to yesterday. Another unfortunate occurrence in our country’s history due to greed, selfishness and fear.
What role do you feel shame plays in our desire to whitewash our past?
Great question, Jeff. I can speak firsthand that shame plays a huge part of efforts to whitewash some of the more tragic events of Oklahoma’s history. It’s used to deflect responsibility, especially talks of reparations. How do you offer reparations to something that happened 2-3 generations ago?
It has also been used in political motivations. It’s interesting because apologist Whites will side with Black Oklahomans in agreeing that what happened was wrong. But their next step is to say, “If you elect me, I’ll represent your voice.” But so often, that Doesn’t happen. Another way it is used is to fuel the “us” against “them” argument, which we’re used to these days.
Jennifer,
What an interesting little spot of earth for you to be living in. Your little area has had quite the history. What was the history you were taught in school and why do you think you were not told the whole truth? If you could go back to your earlier school years, do you think that hearing the entire story would have changed your perspective or shaped you differently growing up?
Hi Adam, you asked:
What was the history you were taught in school, and why do you think you were not told the whole truth?
Oklahoma history was taught in only one semester of high school. To your point, there were so many things that happened on this land that there simply was not enough time to cover it all. I am unsure why the issue of Black Wall Street was not discussed other than a matter of time. At the time, it did not seem like a concerted effort to hide the truth the way it seems to be today.
If you could go back to your earlier school years, do you think that hearing the entire story would have changed your perspective or shaped you differently growing up?
Not really. I was raised in a community and school district that was about 50% Black students and 40% White students. The lessons I got were deep and rich. I felt racism from within my own family toward my friends, and at times, I felt racism from Black families against me. But for the most part, I was welcomed at Black dinner tables and treated as family. I don’t think teaching me more of the story could overwrite what I was seeing firsthand.
And then fast forward to the separatism of Tim McVeigh and more….
Hi Jennifer, Thanks for relating this post to the history of your State. Reading your blog and others is eye opening. I hadn’t thought about native americans being forced so certain areas before. As someone born and raised in OK, how has the history expanded your views?
Thanks, Diane. For 17 years, I was married to a Muscogee (Creek) citizen. My mother-in-law was a tribal council leader (think city council), and my father-in-law led the police force (called Light Horse). It is interesting, as the stories continue to be revealed about boarding school tragedies that those tales continue to be dinner table stories as if they happened within the last 20 years. My mother-in-law and her siblings were removed from her home (due to poverty mistaken as neglect) and raised in a place called Bacone. She used to get her knuckles wrapped with a ruler for speaking Creek. Her grandmother never learned English, so Creek was how they communicated. My experience living and working in Oklahoma’s tribal community definitely impacted my worldview. I wish there was more time to share.
Thanks for your post, Jennifer. I appreciated learning about the history of your state. How has growing up there shaped you as a person? How has your study at George Fox challenged and even changed your views?
Thanks, Graham. Growing up in Oklahoma has exposed me to so many different cultures and cultural nuances that I would not trade for anything. There are many things that I deeply disagree with, but also many elements of the people in this state that give me hope. The resilience factor is real.
George Fox has allowed me to walk through a journey of logic to understand the dynamics around me without an emotional response. Before, the politics were quite muddled together and felt heavy. However, the intentionality of walking through the content read, and our discussions and worldviews have allowed me to solidify what I think about politics and where I can add value. It has affirmed my Christian calling to occur in a place where there sometimes isn’t much Christianity happening.
Hi Jennifer, Thank you for your post. I have learned a lot from you concerning history of the Native Americans because of your proximity. I appreciate your commitment to learning about history and honoring those in the past. I am wondering, then what? How do I move forward and change the future from our knowledge of the past? What do you think?
Great question, Kari. I think the “then what” we discussed on today’s call. I can now see without any doubt that my ministry calling is to go into the hard places. I am not leading a church where people come to me, but rather I must go into other communities. I must build authentic relationships based on trust such that even if we disagree, we can still agree to grab lunch or coffee together.