Guest: We deny reparations to 3 Tulsa Race Massacre survivors but spend billions on wars?
I am a 59-year-old Black woman, educated in the U.S. public school system, kindergarten through graduate school. I am also a U.S. Air Force veteran who has traveled the world. I retired from a management position at a federal agency a few years ago.
Despite my education level, career and life experiences, the first time I heard about the Tulsa Race Massacre, Black Wall Street or Red Summer was in 2014. And that was due to a YouTube video. I learned that in 1921 a mob of angry white people, jealous over the fact that Black people had the audacity to build a thriving town, had hatched a plan of destruction. Historical accounts indicate hundreds of armed white men marched through the streets of Greenwood in Tulsa, searching for any Black face they could find. They gunned down men, women and children indiscriminately. The mob destroyed homes and businesses, but not before looting them of valuables. This mass destruction of property, estimated to be in the millions of dollars at the time, was unprecedented. However, the murderous rampage imposed on all those innocent people needs to be addressed.
The horrific loss of life, theft of property and destruction of businesses devastated the community for generations. The amount of generational wealth lost is immeasurable. Had this massacre not occurred, the lives of Greenwood’s descendants would be much different today.
News reports indicate 300 people were killed. One of the survivors, Mother Viola Fletcher, mentioned the number might be higher. Whatever the actual number, none of those innocent Black people deserved to be murdered.
The U.S. of A. boasts how we defend those who cannot defend themselves. We send troops to foreign countries to fight wars for the freedom and liberty of others. Annually, billions of our tax dollars are sent overseas to right wrongs done by countries to other countries, which doesn’t even involve us. Yet, right here at home in Oklahoma, to repair the wrongs done by Americans to Americans over 100 years ago on American soil, an Oklahoma judge throws out the lawsuit for reparations filed by the last three remaining centenarians? Forever barring an appeal! How is this justice?
The words “Justice delayed is justice denied” have never rung more true when it comes to the last three remaining survivors: Ms. Viola Fletcher (109), her sibling Mr. Hughes Van Ellis (102) and Ms. Lessie Benningfield (108).
More: Attorneys for Tulsa Race Massacre survivors appeal dismissed reparations case
Listen up, state of Oklahoma, city of Tulsa and Judge Caroline Wall. It is way past time you rectify this injustice. Pay these last three remaining centenarians their reparations now while they are still on God’s green Earth to enjoy it.
Patricia H. Rancier lives in Oklahoma City.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Guest: 3 Tulsa Race Massacre survivors deserve justice
