PBS American Portrait

This is the first sketch that was trying to explain the possibility of the GAP Van. Art in many ways can be healing, and the Greenwood Art Project, as well as the GAP Van project are intended to be part of the healing of the people of Tulsa.

mellow music

In 1921, the Tulsa race massacre was led by the KKK. They burned the entire neighborhood to the ground. Black Wall Street may have been burned down. The spirit of Black Wall Street is an impenetrable force that is fireproof and can never be burned. Hey, get to know this guy, Kode Ransom, king of Black Wall Street. You get it? Whoo! I would describe the GAP Van as a place that we can all not only learn the history of Greenwood, but be inspired to create something for Greenwood. We have people to create posters about Greenwood. So how do you feel about Greenwood for this past, present, or future? You know, to be able to make a poster of it, so and-- They ain't got that much paper. Not-not, you--you've been-- For the poster I want. You've been around a year too long than me. We wanted to create a platform for any and everyone. The idea is to grow an archive of posters that will speak to the issue of race in America. 1921 Greenwood. Let's not forget about what happened here. The 21 represents not just 1921, but it represents 2021, and how we're redeeming that sense of community. With the GAP Van, we're able to go to all parts of Tulsa, take this history to them to tell the story of Tulsa from the perspective of Tulsa. We have to bring it to people to expose them. Ooh, look. 'Cause they don't even know to even look for it. On the side of van, you'll see members of our community, their children, themselves being a part of this history. Man, when I seen that van and seeing all those familiar faces, everybody else with the same heart, you know, for our culture, and for our community, and the history. If we ever want to gain some of that importance back as a people, I feel like we need to know our history. You don't know until you ask. You don't have people to ask unless there are places for us to congregate. That's the true story of Greenwood, was how they built together even bigger and better than the first time. When they tried to burn it down and just destroy it, even when you do that with dandelions, it still plants seeds, and so they grow on and still create fields of beauty. And I think, that's what's happening with Black Wall Street now. It's just, even though they tried to tear it down, it's turning into something beautiful. Art is a really inclusive activity for healing. Everyone is able to create the art from their own hearts. I didn't realize I had this in my heart until I sat down. You know, whether you're an artist or not, we all are building upon the work of folks that came before us. I believe the ancestors are calling us. Greenwood Art Project has developed the GAP Van to be a moving way to process the emotion that comes from the trauma of 1921. There are some moments in history to learn from them that require a movement, and the GAP Van is that movement.