BLACK WALLSTREET

by Jay Jay Ron Wilson

How the most prolific black community in America was raised to the ground.

112 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1992

Reviews

[Michael Strode · Rating 2 out of 5]

Black Wall Street is a work of historical fiction which builds its story line along the events leading up to the Tulsa race riot of 1921. Unfortunately for what it merits as a matter of history, it is also a most terrible piece of writing. I am generous in offering it two stars on the basis of a documentary value as its only real redeeming quality is how much it makes you hunger to search out a biographical narrative of the events for yourself.

One of the major literary vices that are contained within the text is the repeated utterance of the term "BLACK WALLSTREET" by the characters written just as it is here in all capital letters. It comes across as purposely trite and cheesy resembling Keenan Ivory Wayans oft imitated "Message!" line from "Don't Be A Menace..." There is also the matter of language in the text which seems a pale affectation of period speech by someone very obviously writing after said period has passed.

Were the book marketed as a literature for children, I might perhaps be more forgiving, but even as a tool for teaching, there is very little fodder for discussion here. All the tropes and stereotypes are thrown into the stew. All white men are racists with bad teeth, big guns and white sheets. Blacks and Jews try to gather and do business in harmony since they are both oppressed. All black people operate for the success and continuity of "BLACK WALLSTREET".

I stumbled upon this work in some library giveaway box I am sure. It was not a very enjoyable read and I am quite glad that it is over. There are much better books on the subject available.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in the form of a story with questions in between webbed with facts. Black Wall Street what a sad tale of how hatred and greed can shatter a whole community prospects. It is sad to say but reading this book with things of the past and mirroring what the world is today, the world hasn't changed. There is a lesson to be learnt be prepared and stay alert, know your history and foundations. Live in the world amongst with love and acceptance but don't ever forget and start living of the world because hatred and jealousy is real

[Anne Absalom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had briefly heard of Black Wallstreet and decided to read about it during these times of protests and Black Lives Matter. This book is a quick read at 200 pages. It is not particularly well written, but its story is important. It helped give me another piece of the puzzle regarding race relations in America. Once you begin to understand how much history is left out of our education, you start to seek the truth. I gave it four stars because the content deserves to be heard.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book would be more factual and statistical. But it was a story and very difficult to read. The n word was on every page and I couldn't stomach it any longer.