Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has passed away at the age of 111. Fletcher, along with other survivors, pursued a lawsuit against the city of Tulsa alleging complicity in the massacre, which destroyed the Greenwood neighborhood and caused widespread loss of life and property. Despite the ongoing efforts for reparations, a recent court decision dismissed the survivors’ lawsuit. The city has proposed a private trust to fund initiatives in the area, though it would not provide direct payments to survivors or their descendants.
Read More
EU’s Kallas says Russia won’t get frozen assets back without paying reparations, and it’s a sentiment that sparks a lot of debate, doesn’t it? The core idea is straightforward: Russia, having caused immense damage in Ukraine, shouldn’t simply get its frozen assets back. There should be a price to pay, a reckoning for the destruction and suffering inflicted. This stance, from someone as prominent as Kaja Kallas, a key figure in the EU, sends a clear message about accountability. It highlights how financial leverage is being wielded in the current geopolitical landscape.
Now, the amount of money involved is substantial. We’re talking about hundreds of billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets, primarily held within the EU.… Continue reading
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that frozen Russian assets should remain immobilized until Moscow provides at least 500 billion euros in compensation to Ukraine. The G7 countries have immobilized approximately $300 billion in Russian assets, with profits from these assets being channeled toward Ukraine’s reconstruction and defense. Merz emphasized Germany’s involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction, citing benefits such as economic growth and energy security. President Zelensky urged European partners to form a recovery coalition to rebuild Ukraine and called for the more active use of immobilized Russian assets.
Read More
Harvard University’s 2022 report, “Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery,” detailed the institution’s extensive ties to the transatlantic slave trade and launched an initiative to identify living descendants of those enslaved by Harvard affiliates. Richard Cellini, tasked with leading this genealogical research, uncovered nearly 500 living descendants, prompting concerns from university administrators who allegedly sought to limit the number identified. This led to Cellini’s dismissal and the project’s redirection, raising questions about the university’s commitment to full transparency and reconciliation. Jordan Lloyd, a descendant discovered through this research, now grapples with the emotional complexities of her newly uncovered family history and the university’s response.
Read More
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is allocating $105 million in reparations for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a sum raised by a private trust. The “Road to Repair” plan, spearheaded by Tulsa’s first Black mayor, focuses on community redevelopment, including housing and cultural preservation, rather than direct payments to descendants. Funding will be managed by the Greenwood Trust, named after the destroyed Black Wall Street. This initiative marks a significant step toward addressing the lasting economic and social harms of the massacre, a largely hidden chapter of American history.
Read More
The G7 reaffirmed its commitment to freezing Russian sovereign assets until Russia ends its aggression against Ukraine and compensates for the damages inflicted. This decision, detailed in a joint statement following a finance ministers’ summit, also condemns the war and supports ongoing ceasefire efforts. Further sanctions are threatened if a ceasefire isn’t achieved. The G7 pledged continued support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, explicitly barring entities that funded the Russian war effort from profiting from this process.
Read More
Following a meeting between Russian and Syrian officials, Damascus demanded reparations from Moscow for past actions, aiming to rebuild trust and address “past mistakes.” This request for compensation, reconstruction, and recovery coincided with Russia’s efforts to maintain its two military bases in Syria. The Syrian administration also stressed the need for Russia to respect Syrian interests and the will of its people. The outcome of these negotiations will significantly impact Russia’s continued military presence in the Middle East, particularly concerning the future of its key naval and air bases.
Read More
The Justice Department’s first-ever review of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre concluded that, while federal prosecution might have been possible at the time, it is no longer legally feasible. The report details the massacre’s devastating impact, revealing the extent of the destruction and the roles played by various local authorities. Despite finding evidence of contemporary federal reports on the massacre, investigators found no record of federal prosecutors ever considering charges. The report’s findings, while unable to lead to criminal prosecution, establish a definitive record of the event, potentially paving the way for future discussions regarding reparations.
Read More
While the idea of France repaying billions of dollars to Haiti for the independence ransom may seem justifiable on the surface, the current state of affairs in Haiti raises some serious concerns about the practicality and effectiveness of such a move. The fact that Haiti is currently engulfed in chaos, with no stable government in place and gangs running rampant, begs the question – who would actually benefit from this repayment? Would the money end up in the pockets of corrupt politicians or be used to fuel the violence and turmoil that plagues the nation?
It is evident that Haiti has a long history of mismanagement, corruption, and instability that has led to its current state of affairs.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood