Viola Ford Fletcher, one of last survivors of Tulsa race massacre, dies aged 111

Viola Ford Fletcher, a Tulsa native and one of the last surviving victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at the age of 111. Her death brings an end to a legacy marked by unimaginable trauma, resilience, and unwavering dedication to seeking justice for herself and her community.

Born in Oklahoma on May 10, 1914, Fletcher spent most of her early years in Greenwood, an oasis for African Americans during segregation. The community was thriving, with doctors, grocery stores, restaurants, and banks – everything she needed to grow up happy and healthy. However, when a white mob descended upon the neighborhood, turning it into a charred and looted wasteland, Fletcher's life was forever changed.

The two-day attack on May 31, 1921, was sparked by a sensationalized newspaper article about a Black man accused of assaulting a white woman. The ensuing violence left hundreds dead, homes destroyed, and the once-prosperous community decimated. Fletcher, then just seven years old, witnessed the horror firsthand – charred remains, smoke billowing in the air, and the terror-stricken faces of her neighbors.

The trauma of that day stayed with Fletcher throughout her life, influencing her silence about the massacre for decades. However, as she grew older and began to share her story with her grandson, Ike Howard, a sense of catharsis washed over her. For the first time in years, Fletcher spoke publicly about what happened on that fateful day, bringing attention to the forgotten tragedy.

In 2023, Fletcher published her memoir, Don't Let Them Bury My Story, which became a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of African American survivors like herself. Alongside Howard, she joined other survivors in a lawsuit seeking reparations for the Oklahoma state supreme court ultimately dismissing their case.

Fletcher's unwavering dedication to justice extended far beyond her own personal experiences. In 2021, she testified before Congress about what she went through, joining Lessie Benningfield Randle and Hughes Van Ellis in speaking out against systemic injustice. Her legacy continues to shine a light on one of the darkest days in American history, as she left behind a testament to the power of courage and advocacy.

While Fletcher is no longer with us, her story serves as a reminder that even the most painful wounds can be soothed by the sharing of trauma. By breaking her silence, Fletcher has helped ensure that the memories of those who lost their lives in 1921 will never truly fade away – and that justice for survivors like herself will continue to be fought for generations to come.

I'm just so saddened by Viola Ford Fletcher's passing, but at the same time I'm super proud of the impact she had on raising awareness about the Tulsa Race Massacre. It's crazy that people still don't know about this dark period in American history and how it affects Black communities to this day . The fact that she bravely spoke out about her trauma and shared her story with her family, then went on to share it with a wider audience is just inspiring . We need more people like her who aren't afraid to speak truth to power and bring attention to the struggles faced by marginalized communities .

man she was like a symbol of hope and strength for so many people her legacy is still shining through even though she's no longer with us it's crazy that it took her 111 years to share her story but i guess the pain and trauma just takes time to process what i find really inspiring is how she kept fighting for justice even when it seemed like nobody was listening her courage is still giving me chills I'm also sad that she never got to see the recognition and reparations she deserved during her lifetime but i guess her story will live on through her book and the people who are still fighting for change today

I'm so glad Viola Ford Fletcher's story is finally being told. It's crazy she lived to see her book published, considering the trauma she went through at such a young age... 111 years old is insane ! The fact that she shared her story with her grandson and then spoke out publicly is truly inspiring . But can we talk about how messed up it is that there wasn't more support for her case when she tried to get reparations? I mean, the Oklahoma state supreme court dismissing their case seems really harsh . Anyway, her legacy lives on and we're grateful for her bravery in sharing her story... hopefully it'll bring about some much-needed change

The passing of Viola Ford Fletcher is a somber reminder of the long shadow cast by the Tulsa Race Massacre . Her legacy as one of the last surviving victims speaks volumes about the trauma and resilience faced by African Americans during that time . It's heartbreaking to think about her decades-long struggle to speak out against such injustice, only finding solace in sharing her story with her family .

Fletcher's fight for justice is a testament to the power of courage and advocacy . Her unwavering dedication to seeking reparations not only for herself but also for others like her is an inspiration . As we remember Fletcher's life, let us also remember the countless stories of survivors like hers who continue to shape our understanding of this dark chapter in American history .

Her passing may have silenced one voice, but it will never silence the impact she had on the world . May her legacy serve as a beacon of hope for future generations and a reminder that even the most painful wounds can be soothed by sharing trauma .

She lived through one of the darkest moments in American history but still managed to keep fighting for justice until her last breath . I can only imagine how hard it must've been for her to hold on to that fire all these years . Her legacy is a testament to the strength of survivors and the importance of sharing their stories so we don't forget what happened . It's so sad she won't be around to see the progress made in seeking justice for survivors like her but I hope her story will continue to inspire others to keep fighting .

man she's been carrying that weight for so long it's crazy how much impact one person can have on shedding light on such a dark chapter in history her story is like, so powerful you feel like you're right there with her reliving all that trauma but at the same time it's amazing to see someone so strong and resilient just wanting justice for themselves and their community

It's crazy to think Viola Ford Fletcher lived through one of the darkest moments in American history, yet she continued to fight for justice even after witnessing unimaginable trauma as a 7-year-old girl. I mean, can you imagine experiencing that level of fear and loss? She shared her story with her grandson and eventually wrote a memoir, which is just incredible. It's amazing how one person's courage can bring attention to these forgotten tragedies. Her legacy will continue to shine a light on the importance of speaking out against systemic injustice

It's a shame she didn't get to see some real change with her passing, especially when it comes to reparations for the victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I mean, 2023 was supposed to be the year we finally saw some movement on this issue, but it seems like that just got put on hold. We need more voices like Viola Ford Fletcher's in Congress, fighting for the rights of marginalized communities. And let's not forget about the fact that there were other survivors who also came forward with their stories, only to have their case dismissed by the state supreme court. It's a clear example of systemic injustice still holding strong today

111 years is still pretty young to have gone through so much trauma, you know? I mean, Viola Ford Fletcher was basically a human equivalent of the Duracell bunny - just kept going no matter what . People say she was strong, but I think that's just code for 'she didn't talk about it enough'. I feel like we only get to see the tip of the iceberg when these survivors come forward, you know? There's always more to the story, and sometimes I wish they'd just speak up a bit more . Anyways, she did write that book, Don't Let Them Bury My Story - maybe it'll help more people understand what went down

"It takes a lot of courage to tell your story."

This is so sad ... Viola Ford Fletcher lived a life marked by trauma, but also resilience & determination . Her story is a reminder of the power of silence being broken & sharing our experiences . It's heartbreaking that she had to live with this trauma for so long, but her legacy will continue to inspire others to fight for justice ️. I hope her story brings attention to the forgotten tragedy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and helps to ensure that those who lost their lives are never forgotten . RIP Viola Ford Fletcher

This is such a sad loss, but I'm so grateful she finally got to share her story with the world. It's crazy to think about how much trauma she endured in silence for so long. I mean, can you even imagine living through something like that and not being able to talk about it? It's no wonder she was so dedicated to speaking out against injustice - she wanted to make sure people didn't forget what happened all those years ago

And now her story is going to live on through her book and all the other survivors who came forward after her. It's so inspiring to see how one person can make a difference by sharing their truth. I'm just glad we got to learn from someone like Viola Ford Fletcher, you know?

can you believe this woman lived through THAT ?! 111 years old is just a number, but the trauma she endured is something no human should ever have to go through. I'm so angry she had to suffer in silence for so long, but at the same time, I'm also super proud of her for speaking out and sharing her story with the world. it's crazy that her testimony even made it to congress , like what took them so long?! anyway, I hope her legacy continues to inspire others to fight for justice and remember the sacrifices made by survivors like her

She was so strong in a world where she shouldn't have had to be. I can only imagine how hard it must've been to carry around that pain and trauma all these years, especially when everyone else seemed to move on with their lives. But then her story came out and it was like a weight was lifted off her shoulders... or at least from the people who were still living. It's wild to think about how one person can make such a difference, you know? Even if it's just being a voice for others who've been silenced for so long, that takes courage and it's something we could all learn from.

She's finally at peace now but I'm still in awe thinking about what she went through, you know? Like, can u even imagine seeing your whole world get destroyed when u r just 7 years old? It's crazy how much strength & resilience she had to hold on for so long. And to think that her story is going to live on through her book & the people who knew her... it's a beautiful thing I'm glad she got to share her truth with the world, even if it was late in life Rest now, Viola

Man this is such a sad time for the community... 111 years old, can you believe it? Viola Ford Fletcher's passing marks the end of an era, a piece of history that'll never be forgotten . I'm still in awe that she lived to see her story being told and fought for justice even when it felt like nobody was listening . Her legacy is a powerful reminder that our voices matter, even if it takes time for them to be heard .

I'm reading about this woman Viola Ford Fletcher and I'm just shocked she lived so long . Like, 111 years old is crazy talk! And can you even imagine what she went through in her life? I mean, the Tulsa Race Massacre was like, a total tragedy... I don't think I could've handled it if I was there at the time . She's so brave for speaking out about it and sharing her story, but also super sad that she's gone now . I wonder what her family is going through right now... does anyone know?

RIP Viola Ford Fletcher . Her legacy is a total game changer . I mean, can you even imagine living through one of the darkest moments in American history and still finding the strength to fight for justice 100+ years later? It's crazy inspiring . And her story is a powerful reminder that our trauma doesn't have to define us . She showed us that with courage and advocacy, we can bring attention to injustices and create change . Her memoir Don't Let Them Bury My Story needs to be read by everyone . We need more voices like hers speaking out against systemic injustice . Thanks for sharing your story with the world, Viola . Your legacy will live on forever .