Removing Governor From Race Panel Appropriate
After Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt refused to meet with the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Centennial Commission, they moved to remove him after he signed the repugnant HB 1775 that prohibits the teaching of what it describes as critical race theory. In a confusing move, Stitt signed a law which tells people to shut up while he signed an executive order to promote the telling of an uncomfortable truth. For now, history is not controlled by right wing Oklahoma lawmakers.
Most thoughtful Oklahomans are ashamed of the law which sets out to prohibit the teaching of a history that might make some students feel ashamed or guilty. Stitt says this will have the effect of teaching one race is superior to others. Of course, that is a ridiculous rationalization and twisted view of teaching the truth of Oklahoma and American history. This country sits on stolen, blood-soaked land and was built on the backs of black slaves. Stitt claims the law does not prohibit the teaching of major historical events like the race massacre, the trail of tears and the Clara Luper led sit-ins. He says that, but HB says history in schools cannot be taught that makes students feel ashamed or guilty for what their ancestors did to fellow Oklahomans.
Stitt’s unthinkable signing of HB 1775 was so upsetting that race commission member State Representative Monroe Nichols resigned from the board. Monroe was proud of the work of the board but resigned in protest of Stitt’s unthinkable support given his seat on the commission.
Will Indian mascots and the Oklahoma land run be allowed to be taught and celebrated in public schools? Won’t some students be able to feel ashamed or guilty? Won’t some object to the glorification of publicly funded events or histories that hurt their feelings? This bill is nothing but red meat for the conservative base eager to shut down history that they object to. It is wildly unconstitutional. It will clearly be challenged.
Stitt will go down in history as one of the worst governors in history and his actions have divided this state along racial and economic lines. Part of HB 1775 will prohibit mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling. The harsh intent of the law is in direct conflict with the recognition of the 100 year anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and other atrocities like the Osage Reign of Terror.
At a time when Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma should be taking bold steps into the future in the name of racial tolerance, they have clearly taken painful steps into the past.
Celebrating Grocery Store Signals End Of Food Desert In Tulsa North
With a name that sounds inviting and tasty, the opening of Oasis Fresh Market, at 1725 North Peoria, the market an end to Tulsa’s largest food desert that some say contributes to a life expectancy 11 years less than south Tulsans.
There were plenty of people who helped push this to fruition. Rose Washington, head of Tulsa Economic Development and First District City Councilwoman Vanessa Hall-Harper are key among them. The philanthropic community stood up as they always do when private resources are needed. The George Kaiser Family Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the Zarrow Family Foundation, and the Arvest Bank Foundation contributed financially to the project. Public funding came from the Tulsa Development Authority and the city of Tulsa through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program,
In the end it will be more than a grocery store; it will provide a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of the local community. Black-owned and led by Eco Alliance Group and Aaron Johnson, organizers realize this is not just a business enterprise, it is a valuable entity that has been missing for over 11 years in Tulsa North.
Welcome back.
Eviction Ban And Unemployment Supplement Check Ending On Same Day
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is not really known for crafty and compassionate political moves when it comes to dealing with the vulnerable. In separate announcements Stitt is planning to stop the $300 a week supplemental checks tacked on to weekly unemployment. At the same time many fear the moratorium on evictions will end. If that was on purpose it is one of the cruelest and most craven decisions in modern state history.
Many fear the ending of the eviction moratorium alone will create a tsunami of evictions for thousands of Oklahomans that will put people on the street. Many of those are trying to keep up with rent with their unemployment checks generously supplemented by the federal government that Stitt plans to end on June 30th. Stitt worries that too many are not returning to work because it is literally a cut in pay to go back to work. Businesses have been scrambling around to fill vacant jobs because they say thousands of Oklahomans are sitting at home instead of working.
Stitt is offering a $1,200 payment as incentive to go back to work for the first 20,000 workers who leave unemployment for employment. This is generous given the grave decision to return to work comes at the same time a moratorium on evictions ends.
Two things are for certain, Oklahoma will see many return to the workforce and many Oklahomans will be evicted. Thankfully, there is still assistance for those needing rental help. The state still has $216 million for rental assistance. For Tulsa and the surrounding counties, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is being administered by Restore Hope Ministries. For more information, go to erap.restorehope.org.
Time will tell if there will be a seamless transition as work and rent collide at the same moment.
Cherokee Freedman Gain Full Citizenship
Native American Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland approves a new constitution for Cherokee Nation that guarantees full citizenship rights for Cherokee Freedman. After years of political wrangling and racially charged foot-dragging Cherokee Freeman have been granted full citizenship.
Time for the other tribal nations to do the same to correct this sad chapter in race relations and justice. Congrats to a new day.
