By Damario Solomon-Simmons\Justice for Greenwood
Photos: Justice for Greenwood\Wikimedia Commons
I understand the profound disappointment many of you feel following the recent presidential election. The outcome has left millions of us alarmed about the future of justice and equality in our nation.
But in this moment, know this: We have slayed bigger dragons. Just as history shows the destructive capacity of white nationalism, it also illuminates the path to justice. The road is at times difficult and uneven. But we are well worth the fight.
At Justice for Greenwood, we’ve had the incredible privilege of learning from the last living survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre– Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Ford Fletcher – whose courage and perseverance remind us of who we are. With your support, we will continue to make improbable strides, in the face of Oklahoma politicians who have targeted us with some of the most draconian laws in the country.
• Educating the Masses: We have opened the eyes of millions to the destruction of Black Wall Street, exposing a century-long coverup at the highest levels.
• Galvanizing Support for Reparations: We have catalyzed a formidable movement, with support for massacre survivors and descendants growing across the globe.
• Compelling Federal Action: The U.S. Department of Justice is carrying out an unprecedented probe of the Tulsa Race Massacre in response to our advocacy
• Empowering Families: We have connected countless families with critical information about their heritage, building and preparing a proud community to fight for what it is owed.
We at Justice for Greenwood will expand on the progress we’ve made together. We have never backed down to authoritarianism or white supremacy, and we will not start today.
As extremists plan their attacks on democracy, those of us on Tulsa’s front lines will continue to show America what resistance looks like. With your support, we will carry on the fight for Greenwood, for justice, and for the future we all deserve.
Thank you for standing with us.
In solidarity,
Damario Solomon-Simmons
Founder and Executive Director