Quest for Justice Ends at State Supreme Court
The last remaining survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre saw their pursuit for reparations hit a significant roadblock. The Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision to dismiss a lawsuit seeking compensation for the tragedy that unfolded over a century ago. The case was led by Lessie Benningfield Randle, 109, and Viola Ford Fletcher, 110. These centenarian survivors began sharing their accounts only in recent years, shining a light on one of the darkest chapters in American history.
Court's Reasoning Against Reparations
Survivors argued that the massacre had left a continual negative impact on the Greenwood community, a prosperous hub known as Black Wall Street before its destruction. However, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against the survivors on the grounds that the longstanding economic and social harm did not align with the intent of the state's public nuisance statute. Specifically, the judgment states that generational and societal inadequacies require legislative, not judicial, intervention.
Impact of Court Ruling
By affirming the dismissal, the ruling concludes the survivors' legal maneuvering. The legal pursuit under state law prevents any move to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. This outcome comes as a setback to Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Ford Fletcher, who had hoped for redress through the court system. Damario Solomon-Simmons, their lead attorney, emphasized that they consider the massacre a state-sanctioned atrocity. The legal team signaled an intention to request a reconsideration of the decision and urged federal authorities to investigate the incident.
Struggle for Accountability
The lawsuit sought to hold responsible the Tulsa County sheriff, county commissioners, and the Oklahoma Military Department for their alleged roles in the massacre. The defendants were accused of creating and perpetuating negative economic, racial, and psychological impacts which still resonate today.
A district court initially allowed the case to progress in May 2022. By July 2023, however, it was dismissed over procedural issues. Arguments posited by the city's lawyers claimed historical connections did not grant persistent rights for compensation. Lawyers for the defendants, during the lawsuits' journey, had argued that the governmental agencies in question were immune from liability under sovereign immunity at the time of the 1921 massacre.
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Resistance and Resolve
Despite the Supreme Court's dismissal, the survivors' representatives remain steadfast. Solomon-Simmons vocalized the survivors' disappointment and determination to continue their pursuit of justice. The response also included a consideration of involving the U.S. Department of Justice. Tulsa officials, on the other hand, have expressed commitment to stimulating economic growth and providing support to North Tulsa and Greenwood communities.
The Greenwood neighborhood once stood as a cultural and economic beacon. It was decimated on May 31, 1921, when a white mob destroyed an estimated 35 city blocks, resulting in up to 300 African American fatalities and thousands left homeless. The wealth that had been accumulated despite racial oppression was obliterated. For decades, this dark event remained largely unspoken. It is only in recent years that the massacre has earned recognition as a pivotal and sad event worthy of both remembrance and justice.
The survivors have watched others seek justice before them, with little to no success. However, their struggle and legacy continue. They have made it clear that they seek more than acknowledgment; they seek rectification that has been overdue for over 100 years. Whether through litigation or other means, the quest for justice for the Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and their descendants persists, sending ripples of reflection through contemporary American society.
