Earlier this month, former Oklahoma state Rep. Monroe Nichols (D) was elected the primary Black mayor of Tulsa. Amongst different plans, Nichols desires to assist heal a group nonetheless grappling with the legacy of a racist bloodbath that killed no less than 300 individuals greater than a century in the past.
The Division of Justice lately introduced a assessment of the Tulsa Race Bloodbath, a two-day occasion in 1921 when a white mob terrorized a 35-square block space often called “Black Wall Street,” which consisted principally of prosperous houses and thriving Black-owned companies.
There was a sustained push in Tulsa for the town authorities to concern reparations of some form to the descendants of these affected by tragedy, and to the bigger group of Greenwood, the neighborhood that now stands on the location of the bloodbath. Nichols informed HuffPost he helps the hassle to resolve the ache that descendants of the bloodbath ― and the 2 remaining survivors of the occasion, each now over 100 years previous ― nonetheless face. However he has not but established a tough stance on reparations.
Nichols’ marketing campaign was based mostly on rehabilitating Tulsa’s training system and addressing inexpensive housing points in an effort to fight homelessness. Black Tulsa residents have lengthy suffered from a dearth of financial alternative, Nichols stated.
“My election was a strong statement that Tulsans are ready to respectfully and meaningfully close a painful chapter in our city’s history and move forward together,” he informed HuffPost in an e mail. “My time in office is about the future and I don’t believe a better future is possible until we do the hard work of healing the wounds of the past.”
The DOJ assessment will assess what occurred in the course of the riots. It’s unclear if the assessment will lead on to an area reparations effort.
However the metropolis began the Past Apology Fee this yr to reconcile and unite Tulsa residents within the Greenwood group and the descendants of these affected by the riot. Underneath the management of Tulsa’s present mayor, G.T. Bynum, the fee has not seen a lot progress relating to reparations. It was tasked with reviewing two reviews, one from 2023 and one from 2001, that each referred to as for reparations for descendants and survivors of the bloodbath.
“I believe it’s essential for survivors and descendants of massacre victims to find closure from this painful chapter in our history,” Nichols stated. “Once the Beyond Apology Commission releases its recommendation and the DOJ investigation has concluded I believe my role is to act on the recommendation and focus on uniting our city.”
Bynum has stated individuals in Tulsa “view reparations as not just cash payments,” and that there’s additionally curiosity in financial, academic and housing alternatives ― points that Nichols named as his priorities throughout his marketing campaign.
In August, Nichols stated training was one thing the town ought to be laser-focused on.
“We’ve got to take this talk of reparations out of the political sense and focus on other areas,” he informed The Related Press. “Education is an area where we should really sink our teeth into quite a bit.”
It’s not clear whether or not any potential reparations would truly take the type of money funds.
Joyce Williams, a longtime Tulsa resident who voted for Nichols, stated she expects him to be “open to the community” and make an actual effort to offer “some means of compensation” to descendants and survivors.
“I expect that he will attempt to impact our ability to get in the position to have a hearing on the loss of a strong financial system brought on by [the massacre], and I expect we are going to have to push him just like anyone else,” Williams informed HuffPost. “I’m not naive to think that this man is not going to be able to do a whole lot without some push and support.”
Damario Solomon-Simmons, govt director of Justice for Greenwood, an advocacy group for Tulsa Race Bloodbath survivors and descendants, informed HuffPost that addressing the fear and trauma that erupted in 1921 ought to be a “top priority” for Nichols.
“We are excited because we want to see policies and laws implemented that benefit our community, and at the top of our list is justice and reparations for the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, particularly as it relates to the two living survivors,” Solomon-Simmons informed HuffPost.
Sue Ogrocki through Related Press
“That has to be one of the things he does in the very beginning to move this issue forward and have actual progress, and not just another Black face in a high place,” Solomon-Simmons stated.
The final two residing survivors of the bloodbath ― Viola Fletcher, 110, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, 110 ― have, together with a number of descendants, been combating in courts of their quest for reparations.
In June, the Oklahoma Supreme Court docket rejected a request to rethink a dismissed lawsuit filed by Fletcher and Randle. The intention of the lawsuit was to power the town of Tulsa to pay reparations to Fletcher and Randle for his or her sufferings after the bloodbath. After the rejection, Solomon-Simmons, who represents the 2 survivors, requested a federal assessment from the Division of Justice, and met with Kristen Clarke, assistant legal professional normal for civil rights, in Washington, D.C. The announcement of the assessment got here months later.
“My election as Mayor shows that Tulsans are ready for a new kind of leadership ― one committed to building a city where we can live and work together, regardless of race,” Nichols informed HuffPost. “I know that I’m able to serve today because I stand on the shoulders of those who sacrificed for our community before, during, and after the race massacre.”
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Solomon-Simmons informed HuffPost that addressing the town’s racial points and historical past was one of many essential driving elements for voters this yr. Now, the group waits for outcomes.
“This is one of the reasons North Tulsans and Black Tulsans voted in such high numbers for Monroe,” Solomon-Simmons stated. “Because they believe he will do something that has never been done. To make sure reparations are implemented correctly.”
