The Breakdown 29

• Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest survivor of the tragic 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has passed away at 111, leaving behind a powerful legacy of resilience and advocacy.
• At just 7 years old, Fletcher witnessed the brutal attack on the affluent Greenwood district, where a white mob unleashed violence against the thriving Black community amid racially charged tensions.
• Throughout her life, Fletcher sought justice and recognition for the massacre's victims, tirelessly campaigning for reparations and ensuring the truth of the tragedy was not forgotten.
• Her death resonates deeply within the Tulsa community, as Mayor Monroe Nichols noted her remarkable strength and commitment to bringing light to the dark chapter of history she lived through.
• The massacre, one of the deadliest racial violent episodes in U.S. history, led to significant loss of life and property, leaving a profound scar that continues to impact discussions of racial equity today.
• Fletcher’s legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the past and a call to acknowledge and confront the enduring consequences of racial injustice in America.