Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors Denied Reparations

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A Painful Blow To Historical Justice

In a heart-wrenching blow to the remaining survivors of one of America’s most horrific race massacres, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. 

Plaintiffs Viola Ford Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle, both over 100 years old, sought reparations under the city’s public nuisance statute, aiming to address the enduring social and economic inequities stemming from the massacre.

Survivors’ Heartfelt Plea

As BOSSIP previously reported, Fletcher and Randle, among the last living witnesses to the massacre, have carried the scars of that night for over a century and have BEEN fighting. Their lawsuit argued that the devastation of forty square blocks of property on May 31, 1921, through murder and arson, met the definition of a public nuisance under Oklahoma law. 

Their attorneys passionately contended that these women deserved their day in court. “The destruction of forty-square blocks of property on the night of May 31, 1921, through murder and arson clearly meets the definition of a public nuisance under Oklahoma law,” the lawyers argued.

Court’s Cold Response

Despite the compelling arguments, the Oklahoma Supreme Court sided with a lower court’s ruling. According to News One, they stated that “simply being connected to a historical event does not provide a person with unlimited rights to seek compensation.”

The court acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievance regarding the social and economic inequities created by the Tulsa Race Massacre. Yet it claimed the law does not permit extending the public nuisance doctrine beyond legislative authorization.

Tulsa’s Profiteering: A Grim Irony

Source: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / Getty

Adding to the survivors’ pain is the irony of Tulsa’s profiteering from the massacre. 

The lawsuit highlighted how Tulsa promoted the massacre site as a tourist attraction, gaining “unjust enrichment” without returning benefits to the community. 

This exploitation, while denying justice to the very people who suffered, underscores a deep-rooted hypocrisy in how historical injustices are managed.

A Political Tangle: The Court’s Stance

The court’s dismissal is seen by many as a politically charged decision. Attorneys for Fletcher and Randle argued that the massacre’s destruction clearly constituted a public nuisance deserving of legal redress.

However, the court viewed the issue as a “political” question beyond its scope. This legal stance ignores the profound human suffering and historical injustice. It dehumanizes a deeply personal and social issue to a mere political debate.

Historical Denial Of Claims: A Pattern of Injustice

The denial of justice is not new. Shortly after the massacre, insurance companies denied many claims filed by Black business owners for tens of millions of dollars in property damage. 

This historical pattern of denying Black victims their due compensation continues to haunt the survivors and their descendants. The ones that built this country. It’s not up for debate. These policies of disenfranchisement and incentivizing racist violence extend the racial wealth gap that robs generations of Black families across the U.S.

Next Steps: The Fight for Justice Continues

The fight is far from over. Attorneys for Fletcher and Randle plan to file a petition for the Oklahoma Supreme Court to rehear the case. 

They also called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the massacre under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007. 

The attorneys remain steadfast, believing the plaintiffs are entitled to a trial. They urged federal intervention to correct this grave historical wrong.

Related Legislation: A Barrier To Justice

Adding to the complexities, in 2021, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill prohibiting teachings that include Critical Race Theory in K-12 schools.

In 2022, Stitt called for an investigation into Tulsa Public Schools for allegedly violating the state’s anti-CRT law. These legislative actions further complicate the fight for racial justice in Oklahoma, reinforcing systemic barriers.

Voices of Outrage & Hope

The dismissal of the lawsuit has sparked outrage and sorrow among those who continue to fight for justice.

The dismissal of the lawsuit by the Oklahoma Supreme Court is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America.

As the survivors and their supporters continue to fight for recognition and reparations, their perseverance serves as a powerful call to action. 

The journey to justice for the Tulsa Race Massacre survivors is fraught with legal and political hurdles, but their resilience remains a beacon of hope for future generations.