to find the correct meaning of equality, freedom, and their relation. This led the topic of race to be a constant narrative in the history of Oklahoma. The people continually struggled to understand citizenship. Throughout the time period of reconstruction there were multiple black towns that were formed in the Indian territory. There were more black towns on the territory than anywhere else in the United States. These towns were created to give African Americans the chance to avoid white surveillance and experience freedom within their own communities. The many issues in reconstruction were prominent and led to segregation. Segregation was found specifically in schools in the late 1800’s, each county making segregation decisions. Tulsa Race Riots In the 1910s, Tulsa was the oil capital of Oklahoma, or the world as some claimed. The oil industry caused Greenwood, the African American side of Tulsa, to boom, being coined "Black Wall Street." On May 30, 1921, Dick Rowland stepped into an elevator to reach the segregated bathrooms in Drexler Building, and was assisted by Sarah Page, the white female operator. Stepping out of the elevator, Page claimed that 19 year old Rowland assaulted her. Though the police did not charge Rowland, newspapers ran with the rumors, and Rowland faced death. A group gathered outside Tulsa County courthouse jail, with some demanding the man be lynched, and others protecting him. Shots were then fired, with 12 dying. Various shootings and vandalisms occurred through the end of the day, but tensions escalated through the first week of June as machine guns and air bombing was employed, intent on destroying Greenwood. In all, over 1500 homes were burned or looted. After receiving a telegram from Tulsa's mayor, the Red Cross set up residence in Oklahoma, treating Greenwood's citizens as prisoners of war. The Red Cross left Tulsa on December 31, 1921 after months of aid. See also History of Oklahoma Citations History of Oklahoma OK