It is thought that ancient Greek and Chinese philosophers agreed on this saying; “The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine”.
And it is always hopeful to see the wheels turn…
After one hundred years, the last two known survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 may live to see justice. A few months ago, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit brought by Viola Fletcher, 110, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, 109 as they sought justice in the brutal massacre they observed as children. But tenacity and justice work hand in hand and the US Department of Justice has launched a review of the two-day white supremacist massacre.
Reports in 1921 estimated thirty-six deaths, but time has a way of counting what racist cover-ups won’t allow. It’s now estimated the Black Wall Street Massacre took the lives of over 300 people and injured more than 800. Following the rampage, 35 city blocks of the Greenwood District – a thriving Black community – smoldered in flames and wiped out 1200 homes, businesses, schools and churches. The white mob who wreaked terror on the community included authorized deputies. Turpentine bombs were dropped from planes, the white mob looted the stores, and hospitals turned away the injured.
We now know that thousands of Greenwood residents were then forced into internment camps as the National Guard watched over them and as their families members were buried in mass graves. No one was arrested or convicted of the crimes. No insurance was given.
Viola and Leslie are the last known survivors of this insidious violence – one of the worst against Black people in our history. Making this grind of justice even better; it was John Lewis who ushered in the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007, allowing cold cases of violent crimes against Black people, before 1970, to be reopened.
Thank you to the love, tenacity and humanity that ensures the wheels of justice grind on.
May we all overcome the ignorance of hate.
And while we are thinking about injustice and violence – #FreePalestine
let kindness win 