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By Tamara Shiloh
A memoir written by the oldest survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre has assured that her testimony before the U.S. Congress two years ago won’t be the last we hear of Viola Ford Fletcher.
In March, two months before the 102nd anniversary of an armed white mob’s destruction of Greenwood, a thriving Black community of Tulsa, Okla., Mocha Media Inc. proudly announced the release of Fletcher’s book, “Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Her Own Words.”
This groundbreaking memoir marks the 102nd anniversary of the tragic event on May 30, 1921, that remains the worst incident of racial violence in U.S. history.
Co-authored by her grandson, Ike Turner, Mother Fletcher, as she is affectionately known, takes readers on a poignant and harrowing journey through her experiences as the oldest survivor and last living witness of the Tulsa Massacre of 1921.
From being a terrified 7-year-old awakened in the middle of the night to flee her burning Greenwood neighborhood, to her role as a 107-year-old matriarch testifying before Congress, Fletcher seeks justice for the families affected by this immense tragedy.
Fletcher’s vivid prose recounts the violence she witnessed and experienced during the massacre. Memories of the white mob, shootings of Black men, bodies in the streets, burning buildings, and the sound of airplanes overhead haunt her to this day. While the nation may have forgotten this history, Fletcher carries its weight, determined to ensure it is never buried or erased.
Tulsa in 1921 was deeply segregated but Greenwood’s ‘Black Wall Street’ thrived as a prosperous business district, home to 10,000 Black residents. However, dreams of generational wealth were shattered when racial violence claimed hundreds of Black lives. Survivors, who lost loved ones and millions of dollars in property, were forcibly interned in camps without accountability for the atrocities committed against them.
These traumatized citizens faced a hostile country that used military force against them and threatened their lives if they shared their stories. For 102 years, survivors patiently awaited acknowledgment, a voice, and restoration.
Fletcher lived in fear and silence until her grandson, Ike Howard, a retired military veteran, encouraged her to conquer her fears and share her truth. Recognizing the significance of her experiences, he believed her longevity was a blessing, enabling her to reveal the truth about Tulsa.
Published by Mocha Media Inc., a Black-woman-owned company committed to diverse content, “DON’T LET THEM BURY MY STORY” will be released on July 4, 2023, Fletcher’s 109th birthday.
Mocha Media Inc., CEO Margo Ochoa admires Mother Fletcher’s contribution to keeping the Tulsa Race Massacre’s survival story alive. The publishing model not only provides a platform for marginalized writers but also offers immediate royalties, contributing to Fletcher’s and her family’s economic restoration.
To celebrate the memoir’s release, Fletcher, Howard, and Van Ellis, Fletcher’s “baby brother” who wrote the foreword, embarked on a nationwide tour during spring and summer 2023. The tour allows audiences to engage with these survivors, hear their stories firsthand, and honor the resilience of those affected by the Tulsa Race Massac
“Don’t Let Them Bury My Story” is not just a memoir; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the preservation of history. Fletcher’s courage and determination inspire future generations, emphasizing our collective responsibility to confront past injustices and strive for a more equitable future.
Pre-order your copy now at www.multiculturalbookstore.com.
