Dont Let Them bury my story
“Every day, I have lived through the massacre. While our country may forget this history, I cannot.”
— Viola Ford Fletcher
Viola Ford Fletcher’s memoir Don’t Let Them Bury My Story vividly recounts the lasting impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre on her life. As the oldest survivor and last living witness of the tragic events that unfolded in 1921, she shares her testimony with poignant clarity. From the terror of her childhood as a seven-year-old fleeing the burning streets of Greenwood to her current role as a 109-year-old family matriarch seeking justice for the affected families, Mother Fletcher takes us on a journey through a lifetime of pain and perserverance. Her inspiring story is a powerful reminder that some wounds never fully heal, and we must never forget the lessons of our history.
“I Will Not Be Dismissed”
In 2020, three survivors of the Greenwood massacre, with backing from the Justice for Greenwood group, initiated a legal action against various parties, which included the city of Tulsa, the Tulsa Board of Commissioners, and the Oklahoma Military Department. Their aim was to receive compensation for the detrimental effects of the massacre. Despite facing multiple rejections, the survivors persisted and resubmitted their case. The most recent endeavor faced uncertainty once more as they were summoned to a hearing by Tulsa County District Judge Caroline Wall. This hearing coincided with May 5, Fletcher’s 109th birthday. Regrettably, the survivors' festivities were postponed when they discovered that Judge Wall was deferring her decision regarding the defendants' request to dismiss the lawsuit.
Following a span of two months, precisely on July 7, Judge Wall made the decision to close the case, effectively concluding the extended endeavor to secure reparations for the survivors, whose ages span from 102 to 109 years. The case was dismissed with prejudice, signifying that any possibility of reinitiating the legal action was precluded.
Viola Fletcher And Hughes Van Ellis Reflect On Surviving Tulsa Race Massacre
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Delve into history through Viola Ford Fletcher's gripping memoir, "Don’t Let Them Bury My Story." The oldest survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Fletcher vividly recounts her journey from fleeing burning streets as a seven-year-old to her role today as a 109-year-old family matriarch seeking justice. With poignant clarity, she shares a lifetime of pain, perseverance, and the unyielding reminder that the lessons of history must endure. Experience her powerful story, a testament to resilience and the enduring strength of the human spirit.