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  • Viola Fletcher, Last Tulsa Race Massacre Survivor, Dies at 111

    The fight for justice and remembrance has lost a powerful voice. Viola “Mother” Ford Fletcher, one of the last known survivors of the horrific 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away peacefully at her home in Tulsa on November 24th at the remarkable age of 111. Her passing marks the end of an era and underscores the urgent need to keep the memory of this tragic event alive.

    A Life Dedicated to Bearing Witness

    Born in Oklahoma in 1914, Fletcher was just seven years old when a white mob violently attacked Tulsa’s Greenwood District, known as “Black Wall Street.” She vividly recalled the idyllic Black community before the massacre, a thriving hub of hundreds of successful Black-owned businesses, which was reduced to ashes and devastation. The attack resulted in the deaths of an estimated 300 people.

    Fletcher’s grandson, Ike Howard, shared that she passed surrounded by loved ones, with a “beautiful smile on her face,” reflecting her lifelong love for life and people. Throughout her decades of survival, Fletcher became a tireless advocate, pushing for justice, restitution, and acknowledgment of the massacre’s devastating impact.

    Advocating for Justice and Reparations

    Fletcher, along with her brother Hughes Van Ellis (who passed in 2023) and fellow survivor Lessie Benningfield Randle, filed a lawsuit in 2021 seeking reparations from the city of Tulsa. Despite their persistent efforts, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed the case in June 2024, ruling that their claims did not fit the state’s public nuisance statute.

    In her 2023 memoir, “Don’t Let Them Bury My Story,” Fletcher powerfully recounted the horrors she witnessed: “I could never forget the charred remains of our once-thriving community, the smoke billowing in the air, and the terror-stricken faces of my neighbors.” Her brother’s accounts echoed the same terror, recalling how their family fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

    A Legacy of Resilience and a Call to Action

    Despite the legal setbacks and the lack of financial compensation, Fletcher refused to let her life be defined by victimhood. Her grandson noted that sharing her story was a source of healing. “This whole process has been helpful,” he told the AP. Fletcher and Randle’s statement at the time of the lawsuit dismissal resonated deeply: “For as long as we remain in this lifetime, we will continue to shine a light on one of the darkest days in American history.”

    A Justice Department investigation, released in January 2024, detailed the massacre’s lasting consequences, concluding that while federal criminal charges might have been possible a century ago, no legal avenue remains today. City officials have explored forms of support for descendants, including a “road to repair” plan focused on infrastructure and revitalization, but direct financial reparations have not been provided.

    The fact that she died without any meaningful redress — not for herself, her family, or her community — isn’t just a legal failure. It’s a moral one. She would not want her passing to be the end of the fight. She would want it to light a fire under all of us. — Damario Solomon-Simmons, Attorney for the survivors and founder of the Justice for Greenwood Foundation

    Viola Fletcher’s passing is a profound loss, but her legacy demands that the fight for justice continue. Her life serves as a powerful reminder that the echoes of the past continue to resonate, and honoring her memory requires active engagement, education, and advocacy to ensure the truth of the Tulsa Race Massacre is never forgotten and that meaningful repair is pursued for the descendants who still carry its weight.

    How can we best honor Viola Fletcher’s legacy and continue the fight for justice? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.

  • Tulsa Massacre Survivor Viola Fletcher Dies at 111

    It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Viola Fletcher, the oldest known survivor of the horrific 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. At 111 years old, Mother Fletcher was a living testament to resilience, carrying the weight of history and advocating for justice until her final days.

    A Life Marked by Tragedy and Strength

    Fletcher passed away in North Texas, but the memories of the brutal events in Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood, once known as “Black Wall Street,” remained vivid. She was one of only two living survivors, alongside Lessie Benningfield Randle, who recently celebrated her 111th birthday.

    The 1921 massacre saw a white mob loot, burn, and murder hundreds of Black residents over two days. Homes and businesses were destroyed, and thousands were displaced. Fletcher, who testified before Congress in 2021, shared harrowing recollections: “I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street. I still smell smoke and see fire.”

    Advocacy for Justice and Reparations

    Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols confirmed Fletcher’s passing, calling her a survivor who “endured more than anyone should.” He highlighted her lifelong commitment to advocating for justice for the survivors and descendants of the massacre. “She never stopped advocating for justice… and I hope we all can carry forward her legacy with the courage and conviction she modeled,” Nichols stated.

    Fletcher, along with Randle and her late brother Hugh Van Ellis, were plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking reparations from the city of Tulsa. Despite arguments that the event was too long ago, Tulsa has moved forward with initiatives like the $105 million package to commemorate the Tulsa Race Massacre Observance Day.

    A Legacy of Truth and Resilience

    Viola Fletcher’s life was a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of historical trauma and the importance of remembering. Her strength, grace, and unwavering pursuit of truth serve as an inspiration.

    With her passing, Lessie Benningfield Randle now stands as the sole survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The stories and memories carried by these remarkable individuals are invaluable pieces of American history that must not be forgotten.

    How do you think we can best honor the legacy of Viola Fletcher and the survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre? Share your thoughts in the comments below.