More Than One: Before and Beyond Tulsa
- noneedtorush333
- Jan 10
- 4 min read
Beyond Tulsa: Remembering Black Massacres — Why Our New Conscious Apparel Jersey Exists
The thought behind this particular piece of apparel came from my conversation with a gentleman who was asking me the significance of the names and dates that I have on the Conscious Apparel Logo. For context I think I should make you aware that this was an older white gentleman about 65 or 70 who has been led to believe like so many others that Tulsa, Oklahoma "Black Wall Street" was just one stain on American history. Imagine his reaction when I began educating him on the fact that there have been countless Black Communities and Towns that have been destroyed after the abolishment of Slavery. So many in fact that the names and dates that I have on the Logo are just a fraction of the number, which led me to let him know that there was more than one Tulsa. And the beauty of it all, I even showed him how easy it was to just type the name and date in his search bar on his phone and access the information. Apparel Activism, Reach One / Teach One
When people talk about racial violence in America, the 1921 Tulsa Massacre often stands out — and for good reason. It remains one of the most devastating acts of white supremacist terrorism in U.S. history, destroying more than 35 blocks of the prosperous Greenwood District, known as Black Wall Street, and leaving as many as 300 Black residents dead.
But here’s the truth we don’t hear nearly enough: Tulsa was not the only massacre. Not even close.
Across the late 1800s and early 1900s, Black communities across the country faced coordinated attacks, mass killings, and violent expulsions — many of which were buried, denied, or erased from textbooks for generations. The Tulsa Massacre was “just one of many” such events in U.S. history.
At Conscious Apparel, we believe remembering these stories isn’t optional — it’s essential. Especially now that we see the removal of many historical black events and achievements from public institutions across the nation. It is up to us to educate ourselves and not to rely on what is presented to us. That’s why we created our new “More Than One” Jersey, a piece designed not just for style, but for truth-telling. I decided to use the Jersey style for this piece instead of a traditional Tee because I really wanted this piece to stand out and be multi-functional ready to wear to just about any occasion. I have now started to make it a part of each Conscious Apparel piece that I create to include a Blog Post with a little bit of background on what inspired the creation and the history behind it. Although we do like making a Statement A Statement, Without Saying A Word. I thought I would arm you with the Knowledge that comes with wearing a piece from Conscious Apparel, so when someone asks' you about the particular piece you are wearing you can pass the Knowledge along.
Now back to the Knowledge!!!
Tulsa Was One Chapter in a Much Larger Story
Here are just a few of the many massacres that history often overlooks:
Colfax, Louisiana (1873)
More than 80 Black men were killed when white mobs attacked a courthouse where Black citizens were defending the results of a local election.
Wilmington, North Carolina (1898)
The only successful coup d’état on U.S. soil. White supremacists overthrew a multiracial government, killed dozens of Black residents, and burned Black-owned businesses.
Elaine, Arkansas (1919)
One of the deadliest racial massacres in U.S. history. Over 200 Black sharecroppers and their families were slaughtered for organizing a labor union.
Washington, D.C. (1919)
White mobs hunted Black residents for nearly a week after false accusations spread through the city.
Ocoee, Florida (1920)
Black residents attempting to vote were met with mob violence, killings, and the destruction of their homes and churches — just miles from where many of us live today.
These events — and many more — form a pattern, not an anomaly. Tulsa was horrific, but it was not unique. And that’s exactly why remembering matters.
Why Conscious Apparel Created the “More Than One” Jersey
Fashion can be empty — or it can be powerful. We choose powerful.
Our new jersey is designed to spark conversation, honor the victims, and challenge the silence that has surrounded these massacres for decades. It’s not about guilt. It’s about awareness, truth, and legacy.
Every stitch is a reminder that:
Black communities-built prosperity even in the face of terror.
Those communities were repeatedly targeted and destroyed.
Their stories deserve to be told — loudly, proudly, and accurately.
Wearing this jersey means you’re choosing to stand with history, not hide from it.
Why This Matters Today
Many of these massacres were intentionally erased from public memory. Records were destroyed. Survivors were silenced. Textbooks ignored them. Even the Tulsa Massacre itself was barely mentioned in mainstream history until the late 1990s.
But silence is a form of violence too.
By learning, remembering, and speaking these truths, we help ensure that the lives lost — and the communities destroyed — are never forgotten again.
Join the Movement
The Conscious Apparel “Never Forget” Jersey isn’t just clothing. It’s a statement. A conversation starter. A refusal to let history be rewritten or erased.
If you believe in truth, justice, and honoring the legacy of Black resilience, this jersey was made for you.
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