Pastor calls for massacre reparations amid search for mass graves

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — "I know some of you don’t want to hear this inconvenient truth," Dr. Robert Turner voiced into a bullhorn, standing in front of city hall, preaching about Tulsa's Race Massacre of 1921 and what he feels is due, reparations. It has become a Wednesday tradition for the pastor of Vernon AME Church.

He wants reparations for the massacre, the lives, homes, and property that were lost.

"Like family heirlooms that were taken out of folks houses that we have on record as being stolen They were not put in the trash. They were kept by people. The money that was taken, they didn’t burn the money."

Turners says other groups have been wronged and given what amounts to reparations in the United States while massacre survivors have been neglected.

"They didn’t complain about it when it was given to the Japanese. They didn’t complain about it when it was given to the Jews. They didn’t complain about it when it was given to the tribes, but when it comes to Black folks, 'Oh no we can't do that!'" he said, throwing up his hands.

But the comparison to Native Americans, casinos and the massive amounts of cash they bring, is a stretch for Cherokee Nation Chief, Chuck Hoskin Jr.

"I don’t think it is like reparations. I think what it reflects is, when Indian nations in this country are allowed to exercise their rights of sovereignty of the government, they do amazing things. We do amazing things on healthcare, on housing. We do amazing things in the business world. Hoskin says the tribe has become a partner with the state and its businesses, funding schools—roads and community projects---- even the largest tribal outpatient facility in the nation.

While Native American culture was being destroyed over decades, Greenwood was devastated in a single flash of fire and anger.

Turner says it was a debt never repaid as generations of wealth were lost.

"Who should repay that? Are the folk who benefited from it, the folk who were negligent or outright reckless in the handling. The city definitely was a part, the city police, sheriff’s department, the county," said Turner and he feels even criminal charges should follow.

There has been no repayment even though The Race Riot Commission recommended direct payments to survivors in 2001.

We reached out to Mayor GT Bynum, who directed the search for mass graves.

In a statement he says, “We are taking a number of steps to ensure that we as a city are working with Tulsa’s Black residents to restore a community that is still being impacted by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre." And Bynum says the city is working on job, business and health programs to help.

Turner's church, Vernon AME was destroyed down to the basement, which is all that survived. And he says he will keep marching from his pulpit to the streets, calling for reparations until God tells him to stop.