Tulsa Reparation Colalition

The Tulsa Reparation Colalition also called the 1921 Race Riot Commission, was authorized in 1997 by the Oklahoma State Legislature. Its purpose was to research the events of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. There was much speculation as to the actual number of deaths. There were many rumors stating that many hundreds more deaths occurred during the riot than were reported. Rumors also said that these bodies were of black men and were located in mass unmarked graves. The Colalition worked for three and a half years researching; talking to survivors of the riot and searching through hospital and autopsy reports. After reporting back to the Oklahoma State Legislature, the final report recommended five separate reparations to the survivors, descendants and to the community of Greenwood where the riot took place. The reparations are as listed below from the Tulsa Reparation Colalition's web-site. -Direct payment of reparations to survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot -Direct payment of reparations to descendants of the survivors of the Tulsa Race Riot. -A scholarship fund available to students affected by the Tulsa Race Riot -Establishment of an economic development enterprise zone in the historic area of the Greenwood District -A memorial for the reburial of the remains of the victims of the Tulsa Race Riot. The final report also discussed the number of casualties the Commission confirms. Based on the autopsy reports and death certificates, the Commission confirmed 39 black males, 13 white males, and 4 unidentifiable bodies. The final report also includes all the data about the bodies including; cause of death, wounds, They do not dismiss the possibility of a mass grave, but they believe that would require archeological investigations that they did not take at this time.

References

Tulsa Reparation Coalition

Tulsa Race Riot

Tulsa Race Riot - A Report by the Oklahoma Commission to study the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921