Greenwood Gone: Henry's Story

Greenwood District Oklahoma 1921: Twelve-year-old Henry Simmons has lived his entire life in Greenwood Oklahoma a district in the northern part of Tulsa. Hes loved by his parents and neighbors annoyed by his little sister and protected by his community a neighborhood full of hard-working successful Black people like his mama and daddy. People call Greenwood Black Wall Street and Henry plans to grow up there until he becomes a famous writer or baseball player-or both. Sure he sees racism firsthand when he goes with his daddy to White Tulsa. But for most of his life as long as his friends and neighbors stay in Greenwood the White folks of Tulsa dont cause too much trouble in Henrys life.Until May 31 1921. Thats the night Henrys life changes forever. His familys life changes forever. All the neighborhoods of Greenwood change forever-because 19-year-old Dick Rowland a Black shoeshiner working in Tulsa is accused of assaulting a White female elevator operator. That accusation and Dicks arrest turn into twelve hours of terror for Greenwood residents. And Henry and his family are right in the middle of the chaos hate and massacre.For these twelve hours Henry his mother and his younger sister Livvie watch White men and women destroy their neighborhood while they miss Daddy who went to help protect Dick at the courthouse. Sometimes Henry Mama and Livvie hide; sometimes they flee; and always they are shocked by the terrifying behavior of their fellow human beings. Read Greenwood Gone: Henrys Story for Henrys account of one of the most horrific massacres in U.S. history-all because of hatred and racism. Can love win even a small victory in the face of hate? Henry will find out. Please note: All of the authors proceeds from Greenwood Gone: Henrys Story will be donated to benefit the residents of Greenwood. The publisher will also be making regular donations from the proceeds of the book. For more information please see the authors website.