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The University of Oklahoma College of Law is hosting an online event commemorating the Centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. “Reparations and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre,” will feature a moderated virtual panel of experts via zoom from noon to 1:30 p.m. on March 2nd.
The panel will feature experts from across Oklahoma: Dr. Ife Williams; Bruce Fischer; and Dreisen Heath.
Panel experts
Dr. Williams has taught policy and history across Oklahoma for over 25 years. And Mr. Fisher is the administrative program officer for the Oklahoma Historical Society. He’s also the son of civil rights trailblazer Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher.
Mr. Heath is an assistant researcher with the Human Rights Watch, ensuring that survivors and descendants are treated with the respect they have earned. The panelists will examine the history of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Later, they’ll follow up with a frank discussion on reconciliation and plans for reparations. Human Rights Watch has previously called for the Tulsa government to give reparations for the Tulsa Race Massacre.
The online event will be moderated by Dr. Karlos Hill, an OU professor and author on the history of lynchings, will moderate the online event. He leads as Chair and Associate Professor of the Clara Luper Department of African and African-American Studies at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Hill will host a Q&A session at the end of the discussion.
Addressing historical trauma
The University of Oklahoma College of Law remains committed to addressing the historical trauma wrought by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. That includes the need for reparations as the Centennial anniversary approaches. Carol Booth, communications director for the University of Oklahoma College of Law notes that many Oklahomans know very little about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The school aims to change that. Those who do know, she says, aren’t aware of the aftermath of the massacre. Nor the political and social movements for reparations that followed.
“We have an excellent panel to discuss the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre,” Ms. Booth said during an interview. “Setting up this event has been a long time coming, and it will be eye-opening for the attendees.” Ms. Booth continued, “We at the University of Oklahoma College of Law are thrilled to offer these talks as part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She noted how the discussion will be difficult for OU and the entire community. “But it has to start with us.”