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
During a congressional hearing, Education Secretary Linda McMahon repeatedly avoided answering questions about the Tulsa Race Massacre and Ruby Bridges, stating she needed to “look into it more.” Representative Summer Lee pressed McMahon on whether lessons about these pivotal events would be deemed “illegal DEI” under the Trump administration’s policies. McMahon’s evasiveness highlighted her unfamiliarity with significant U.S. history and her reluctance to address the potential targeting of related educational programs. This exchange underscored concerns about the importance of teaching these historical events, particularly given the Trump administration’s attempts to restrict related funding for schools.
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 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
The Department of Justice’s new report on the 1921 Tulsa race massacre reveals that the attack was a coordinated, military-style assault, not mere mob violence, perpetrated by white Tulsans with the complicity of law enforcement. The 126-page report details the systematic destruction of Greenwood, the murder of hundreds of Black residents, and the subsequent denial of justice and compensation to survivors. While acknowledging the impossibility of prosecuting any living perpetrators, the report aims to provide a full accounting of this horrific event and facilitate community reconciliation. The investigation included interviews with survivors and descendants, along with examination of primary source materials.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker