Unsolved Racist Murders of Black Americans in USA Shelved After 103 Years
The Supreme Court of the United States has decided to close the file in the compensation case for the Tulsa massacre that occurred 103 years ago in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The decision follows the rejection of the case by the district court, leaving the last two survivors, 110-year-old Viola Fetcher and 109-year-old Lessie Benningfield Randle, without the financial compensation they sought for the damages caused by the racist attacks.
The massacre, which took place on May 31, 1921, was sparked by the detention of a black man, Dick Rowland, for an alleged incident with a white girl in an elevator. The conflict escalated, resulting in the deaths of 12 people and widespread destruction in the Greenwood business district, also known as “Black Wall Street.” Armed white groups, aided by law enforcement and the national guard, looted and set fire to hundreds of black-owned businesses and homes.
Despite the efforts of the survivors and the late witness Hughes Van Ellis, who passed away last year at the age of 102, to seek justice through legal action, the city administration argued that they should not be held responsible for events that occurred over a century ago. With the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the United States approaching, the Supreme Court’s decision to shelve the case marks a missed opportunity for accountability and reparations for the victims of the Tulsa massacre.
The lack of official records for the more than 300 black individuals who lost their lives during the massacre highlights the ongoing injustices faced by the Black community in seeking recognition and restitution for historical atrocities. The erasure of the Greenwood district and the failure of the city government and insurance companies to compensate for the damages further underscore the long-lasting impact of systemic racism on marginalized communities.
As the legacy of the Tulsa massacre continues to reverberate through American history, the denial of justice to the survivors and their families serves as a stark reminder of the unfinished work needed to address the legacy of racial violence and injustice in the United States.
