Juanita Lewis-Hopkins
Hard to believe one so noble touched so many and left her mark on her community for so long; but that is the case when talking about the dearly departed Juanita Lewis-Hopkins.
Perhaps no other person had as big an impact on education in Tulsa north as she, and when people talk about the trials of desegregation of schools in Tulsa, her name is prominent and cherished.
When some think of protest and opposition to institutional racism many think of riots, violence, and aggressive actions. Hopkins raised the level of debate and while she staged sit-ins, they were organized, orderly, respectful and led to change, not confrontation.
Desegregation in Tulsa was not smooth or orderly. In 1971 Tulsa Public Schools as part of their desegregation plan closed Carver Middle School. It was a move that outraged the community but Lewis-Hopkins and other likeminded leaders had other ideas. But, under Hopkins leadership the sit-in was decisive and inescapable. By the power of her will, and moral fiber, Tulsa Schools reopened in 1972 with the new charge as a feeder program for magnet schools. She didn’t retain the status quo, she helped make it better.
To say everyone knew Lewis-Hopkins is not an exaggeration, at one point, according to Darrell Christopher, Lewis-Hopkins taught every African American student in Tulsa at one point in their educational career. Many thanked her for her exceptional ability to teach. No one left her class without learning proper English and pride in their school.
The Oklahoma Eagle was her home when she was a secretary and journalist working for Edward Goodwin, Sr. She helped not only The Oklahoma Eagle, but was kind to the Goodwin children. Her presence is still felt in the offices of the The Oklahoma Eagle as the staff works to uphold her standard of proper English and standing up for what is right. That is a legacy worth remembering.
KEPLER AND LAKE STILL HAVE A DATE WITH JUSTICE
It may seem incredible that a former police officer is heading back to trial for a fourth time; this is extremely rare, not just here, but nation-wide.
But, the evidence is strong that an enraged Shannon Kepler waited for Jeremy Lake to appear and shot him. The first-degree murder trials ended in hung juries in three separate cases, with at least one case ending on speculation that two jurors would not convict a white man of shooting a black boy romantically involved with his daughter.
It’s hard to believe there was even one mistrial and that the evidence is strong for the State and Lake’s family. But, doubt and perhaps unsavory beliefs are tainting a decision.
Kepler’s attempt to dismiss the case because there wasn’t enough evidence was shot down by Judge Sharon Holmes. Defense attorneys for Kepler said the three hung juries were de facto not guilty verdicts. In real terms, 27 people have voted for a conviction and nine against, or would seem to be a de facto guilty verdict. But, that’s not the way it works, a murder conviction is so serious and compelling it must be unanimous and with no doubt about the outcome. Previous jury pools have been made up of few African Americans to sit on the jury.
The District Attorney’s office is pushing ahead and so is the judge despite a backlog of murder cases; some involving the DA and defense attorneys. Holmes is not deterred by the outside world or busy schedule; justice has been delayed on this case where there needs to be a resolution. There are plenty of reasons why he can be found guilty, but the decision to find not guilty are few and tuneless.
Judge Holmes makes the position that both sides are not in need of more preparation or submitting new evidence. It will be just doing a better job of finding justice for the Lake family who is supportive of the fourth trial in the murder of their son.
Surely thoughtful men and women can convene, hear all the evidence and come to an agreement on justice for Jeremy and the fate of Kepler. Holmes appears intent on keeping an October 9th trial date on a case sure to draw national attention for its length, its circumstances, and the ever-ceasing search for justice for a young man.
