On the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, we remember all those who were killed and the survivors who bravely continue to share their stories so that we never forget this painful part of our history. Take a moment to learn about what happened: https://t.co/RiqrSpKGNz
Congratulations, Class of 2021! You overcame so much this year with grace and humor. You should be incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished. 🎉 https://t.co/1zJXiNO7SA
Life threw an awful lot at you this year, and you didn’t blink. Instead, you pushed yourself harder and overcame the obstacles in your way. I am so proud of you—and please know I’ll be rooting for you in the months and years ahead.
Climate change is not some faraway issue. We're feeling the impact right now.
We need to invest in resilient infrastructure to keep our communities ready for any storm.https://t.co/GW15F6v0Vq
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) June 1, 2021
With today's start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, it is worth evaluating your hurricane preparedness. Below are a number of resources to help you prepare for the 2021 Hurricane Season.
"I come here to help fill the silence. Because in silence, wounds deepen. And only, as painful as it is, only in remembrance do wounds heal. We just have to choose to remember." – @POTUS on the Tulsa Race Massacre
"We should know the good, the bad, everything. That's what great nations do. They come to terms with their dark sides. And we're a great nation." – @POTUS on speaking about the Tulsa Race Massacre
Here in Tulsa, I ran into the Edwards family, who are awaiting President Biden’s arrival. I asked what it means that the president is coming to mark the 100th anniversary of the race massacre and honor the remaining survivors. “It means everything,” they said. pic.twitter.com/iOVyiOaCbT
Biden making the connection to policy — specifically to his infrastructure plan, which would invest in Black neighborhoods in a way that could begin to roll back the theft that the massacres began and the highways completed. Smart politics.
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) June 1, 2021
Biden getting a lot of applause for this speech — which is straighforward and about results that could be achieved with the right investments. And Biden is using his typically optimistic view that America can just wake up from its tribal thinking and get these things done.
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) June 1, 2021
During National Immigrant Heritage Month, we honor those who came to the United States to build a better life. There is nothing more American than the hope & courage that immigrant communities display every day. #CelebrateImmigrantspic.twitter.com/0V9yYlEDA7
This is the right move by the Biden Administration. We should be protecting our treasured public lands and being good stewards of the vulnerable spaces that we are lucky to have in this country, especially in the midst of a climate crisis.https://t.co/DlvkDLcsYA
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) June 1, 2021
Investing in and revitalizing Georgia’s infrastructure will create jobs across the state. And when we say infrastructure, we mean transit, ports, housing, broadband and so much more. https://t.co/LegpoS51W8
— Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) June 1, 2021
It’s great to be back in my hometown and even better to spend some time with talented young people in Jackson Park. I’m proud of the Wolfpack for a terrific season, and for their leadership off the field as well. Thanks for letting me give a guest pep talk! https://t.co/md3qjvffxY
Surprise! @BarackObama just dropped by the Chicago Southside Wolfpack practice in Jackson Park — the site of the future Obama Presidential Center — to congratulate the youth football team on a great season. pic.twitter.com/EH5i1rOEid
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) June 1, 2021
An international debate over whether Osaka should be punished for trying to prioritize her mental health is an excellent way to close out mental health awareness month and show how society actually feels about the topic. *chef’s kiss*
People act like they don’t remember some of their favorite celebrities and or rich people committed suicide.
The list of famous and/or rich people who seemingly had everything going for them, but took their own lives is enormous. Depression doesn’t care what’s in your bank account or how many people know your name anymore than cancer or covid does. #MentalHealthMatters
VP Harris: "Biden asked me to help lead our Administration's effort to protect the fundamental right to vote for all Americans.
"I will work with voting rights organizations, community organizations, and the private sector to help strengthen and uplift efforts on voting rights."
Joe Biden has become the first sitting president to commemorate the 1921 Tulsa Massacre – one of the worst incidents of racial violence in US history.
Mr Biden flew to Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Tuesday to mark the 100th anniversary of the attack, which claimed some 300 African-American lives.
The two days of violence, sparked by a white mob, were largely erased from history for decades.
It re-entered the national discourse amid racial justice protests last year.
On 31 May 1921, a group of white Americans razed the affluent and predominantly black neighbourhood of Greenwood in Tulsa.
The community – known by the moniker of “Black Wall Street” – was the country’s wealthiest African-American neighbourhood until its many homes and businesses were burned down in the riot.
In addition to the lives lost, many more black Americans were left injured or homeless.
In the years following the incident, many official records were lost or destroyed, and schools did not teach about the massacre.
Speaking in Tulsa on Tuesday, Mr Biden said: “For much too long, the history of what took place here was told in silence, cloaked in darkness.”
“My fellow Americans, this was not a riot. This was a massacre, and among the worst in our history. But not the only one.”
Less than two years after the Tulsa massacre, a white mob destroyed the black town of Rosewood in rural Florida.
On 31 May, Mr Biden issued a proclamation for a day of remembrance.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams acknowledged that speaking to the media was “definitely not easy to do for anyone”.
“For me personally, I know every single person asking me a question can’t play as well as I can and never will, so no matter what you say or what you write, you’ll never light a candle to me,” said the 40-year-old American.
These South Side business owners were resilient throughout the pandemic. Now they are determined to grow their businesses and hire community residents. It was great to join @BarackObama in conversation with them about how the Obama Presidential Center will benefit the community. pic.twitter.com/ZQ6DqDcIUQ
If everyone that saw this chipped in just $5, we would be off to a great start to defeating Republican Madison Cawthorn. If you want him out of Congress, go here:https://t.co/xjFsA8xahB
We should really stop calling Donald Trump the #Formerguy and start calling him "Disgraced Ex-President Donald Trump"#Formerguy is doing him a favor by not associating his brand with "disgraced" and "ex" two words that drive the MF crazy.
I just read that to protect the Obamas, the American taxpayers had to pay $97M in eight years. For the Trumps, $501M in just four years. Any questions??
Google the many lists of famous/rich people who suffered from depression and took their own lives. Did they not deserve empathy either, you jealous ghoul? Depression is serious. Good luck to anyone you supposedly care about who needs empathy or help and looks for it from you.
It's odd to me, as a survivor of American internment camps, how people somehow believe this country is immune from the allure and the danger of fascism.
Tennis star Naomi Osaka has found support from Nike (NKE) and other major sponsors after deciding to withdraw from the ongoing French Open.
The sports apparel giant — who signed a sponsorship deal with Osaka in 2019 — applauded the athlete in a statement on Monday for opening up about her struggle with depression.
“Our thoughts are with Naomi. We support her and recognise her courage in sharing her own mental health experience,” Nike said as reported by CNN.
Good morning everyone.
This is CEB from Florida. Been away from the village for awhile over this year of COVID and political and social turmoil. I am fully vaccinated and slowly reclaiming my life. So good to see that other long-time members of the community are still here. Special thanks to NW for continuing in her role as mayor and leader of our Ohana. We are challenging Desantis and Rubio with Nikki Friend and Val Demings will have a busy time with that. Take care everyone.
Carla
Judy Murray backs Osaka, says media demands “extremely high”.
‘How many young people do you know who would be comfortable addressing or being questioned by a roomful of very much older strangers?’
‘She (Osaka) is one of a very exciting batch of young female players and I am a big fan of hers. I hope with all my heart that she can find a way of feeling more at home in this sport.’
Judy Murray spoke out in support of Naomi Osaka on Wednesday, saying tennis players faced extremely high demands from the media which could become an “underestimated source of stress”.
Tokyo Olympics: Adviser frets about Games; volunteers quit.
Addressing a parliamentary committee, medical adviser Shigeru Omi said organisers should explain to the public why they are going ahead in the middle of a pandemic.
Japan’s most senior medical adviser said on Wednesday that hosting the Olympics during a pandemic was “not normal” while media reported thousands of volunteers quitting in advance.
Doctors have said the Olympics, due to start on July 23 after postponement from last year, would strain a healthcare system already seeing record numbers in critical condition.
Only 2.7% of Japanese have completed inoculations, a Reuters tracker shows. The pace of new infections has, however, slowed.
Most Japanese oppose holding the Olympics — due to start on July 23 after postponement from last year — while doctors fear the event would strain a healthcare system seeing record numbers in critical condition and struggling to vaccinate the nation.
#BREAKING University of Pennsylvania, the largest single employer in #Philly, has issued a vaccine mandate for all staff and students–all must be vaccinated by August 1.
Whether it's the unearthed remains of indigenous children at a boarding school, or finally a visit to Tulsa by a president 100 years later, one thing is clear: We cannot move forward until we acknowledge the atrocities of the past. We must teach true history, however painful.
As of tonight, my team has sued 6 states to block new voter suppression laws. I promise that we will continue to fight if we have to file 600 lawsuits, but we need help.
Tell Congress to protect voting rights by passing the For the People Act.#HR1
Remarks by President Biden
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre
(excerpts)
“First, we have to see, hear, and give respect to Mother Randle, Mother Fletcher, and Mr. Van Ellis. (Applause.) To all those lost so many years ago, to all the descendants of those who suffered, to this community — that’s why we’re here: to shine a light, to make sure America knows the story in full.”
“Through the night and into the morning, the mob terrorized Greenwood. Torches and guns. Shooting at will…
Private planes — private planes — dropping explosives — the first and only domestic aerial assault of its kind on an American city here in Tulsa.
Eight of Greenwood’s nearly two dozen churches burned, like Mt. Zion — across the street, at Vernon AME.
Mother Randle said it was like war.
Mother Fletcher says, all these years later, she still sees Black bodies around.
Yet no one — no arrests of the mob were made. None. No proper accounting of the dead. The death toll records by local officials said there were 36 people. That’s all. Thirty-six people. But based on studies, records, and accounts, the likelihood — the likely number is much more, in the multiple of hundreds. Untold bodies dumped into mass graves. Families who, at the time, waited for hours and days to know the fate of their loved ones are now descendants who have gone 100 years without closure.
But, you know, as we speak, the process — the process of exhuming the unmarked graves has started. And at this moment, I’d like to pause for a moment of silence for the fathers, the mothers, the sisters, sons, and daughters, friends of God and Greenwood. They deserve dignity, and they deserve our respect.
May their souls rest in peace.”
“My fellow Americans, this was not a riot. This was a massacre — (applause) — among the worst in our history, but not the only one. And for too long, forgotten by our history.
As soon as it happened, there was a clear effort to erase it from our memory — our collective memories — from the news and everyday conversations. For a long time, schools in Tulsa didn’t even teach it, let alone schools elsewhere”
“Imagine all those hotels and dinners [diners] and mom-and-pop shops that could been — have been passed down this past hundred years. Imagine what could have been done for Black families in Greenwood: financial security and generational wealth.”
“Shockingly, the percentage of Black American homeownership is lower today in America than when the Fair Housing Act was passed more than 50 years ago. Lower today. That’s wrong.
And we’re committing to changing that.”
A lot of AA, women, and people of color lost homeownership due to predatory real estate practices from enacted by the Bush Administration with turning equity in our homes into piggy banks and made lots of folks rich. Then the R.E. bubble burst and mostly people of color lost their homes.
Regina Goodwin, Oklahoma State Representative, 73rd district – includes Greenwood,
talks to Rachel Maddow:
Maddow:
“I was struck by President Biden today talking about the economic, long-term ramifications of the destruction of Greenwood. Talking about the loss of generational wealth, the businesses that were never handed down, the property that was never handed down, the families that never had the opportunity to build on what had been built up in that community. What did you make of his discussion about what we can do now to address the racial wealth gap? He’s talking about inequity in housing, small business finance, really granular specific things.”
Goodwin:
“Yes you know he did point out that we had about 32% home ownership in 1921. And it’s about the same now a hundred years later. Yet when you look at our white counterparts they’re about 57% home ownership.
And so the differences are dramatic. And yes he’s absolutely right. He is in a position where he can do quite a bit. As it relates to grants, as it relates to home ownership, loans. As it relates quite frankly, to people having land. You have to have land first of all to build on. So land was lost, taken, stolen during that day. And when you come into that north side community, when you look at the gentrification that’s happening in Tulsa. Absolutely, right policy implemented properly – we can do more in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
So I’m glad that he’s giving thought to it. And the next thing is you’ve got to put some action behind it.
So we stand ready. We continue to do the work we can here in Tulsa. But certainly national, federal help would be greatly appreciated. Reparations absolutely are due and it can come in many forms.”
Biden administration suspends oil and gas leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
“Interior Secretary Deb Haaland orders new environmental review of the leasing program, saying the Trump administration did an ‘insufficient analysis’ of drilling’s impact”
“The move by the Interior Department, which could spark a major legal battle, dims the prospect of oil drilling in a pristine and politically charged expanse of Alaskan wilderness that Republicans and Democrats have fought over for four decades. The Trump administration auctioned off the right to drill in the refuge’s coastal plain —
home to hundreds of thousands of migrating caribou and waterfowl as well as the southern Beaufort Sea’s remaining polar bears — just two weeks before President Biden was inaugurated.”
“But Tuesday’s move signaled that the new administration was willing to take aggressive action in an area that has been a rallying cry for environmentalists for decades.”
—Let me weep here…big thx to the WH and Secretary Haaland.
President Biden has put Vice President Kamala Harris in charge of leading voting rights efforts. It’s an historical move. Never has a Black woman second in power in the U.S. had the privilege of being put into this position. A warrior. She’ll do a great job. pic.twitter.com/hmZEJqr6uX
The Office of the Vice President has already contacted @BlackVotersMtr co-founder Latosha Brown, among others, to assist with efforts on voting rights.
Kamala 👏🏾 wastes 👏🏾 no 👏🏾 time 👏🏾
— Madam Vice President Harris is GOAT! (@flywithkamala) June 2, 2021
Vice President Kamala Harris travels to Guatemala on Sunday and will meet with President Alejandro Giammattei on Monday. That night, she travels to Mexico where she will meet with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Tuesday. https://t.co/n8xT0bIyKK
— Madam Vice President Harris is GOAT! (@flywithkamala) June 2, 2021
“The Whiteness of Wealth:
How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans–and How We Can Fix It”
by Dorothy A. Brown
“Racial hierarchy in America is deeply embedded in structural institutions….”
On the Chris Hayes podcast: “Why Is This Happening?”
Listen: (April 20th)
In first revision of church law in 4 decades, Vatican revises its code to criminalize sexual abuse of adults by priests and laypersons of the church, outlaws the grooming of victims and says bishops can be removed from office for failing to report crimes. https://t.co/STBogFW8BB
Join our team! The MBK Alliance leads a cross-sector national call to action focused on building safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color where they feel valued and have clear pathways to opportunity.
Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s Democratic secretary of state, who gained prominence for defending the state’s electoral system in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, is running for governor. https://t.co/opW30K9vCo
When the C.D.C. loosened its mask guidelines three weeks ago, many people were anxious: Would it lead unvaccinated people to take off their masks and cause a surge of new cases?
So far, the answer is no. Cases keep falling. And vaccinations of 16+ have stopped falling. 🧵
The Obama Diary 
Good Evening Everyone! Thanks for the new thread Nerdy! 😘❤️
A message from Forever FLOTUS
Get ready for hurricane season!
Resources:
https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness
Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Replay here:
Happy Immigrant Heritage Month!
No drill baby!
Free rides to the poke!
The prodigal son returns! 😁
People act like they don’t remember some of their favorite celebrities and or rich people committed suicide.
Not enough. Biden has to lead on this.
LOL. Fry ’em.
Joe Biden has become the first sitting president to commemorate the 1921 Tulsa Massacre – one of the worst incidents of racial violence in US history.
Mr Biden flew to Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Tuesday to mark the 100th anniversary of the attack, which claimed some 300 African-American lives.
The two days of violence, sparked by a white mob, were largely erased from history for decades.
It re-entered the national discourse amid racial justice protests last year.
On 31 May 1921, a group of white Americans razed the affluent and predominantly black neighbourhood of Greenwood in Tulsa.
The community – known by the moniker of “Black Wall Street” – was the country’s wealthiest African-American neighbourhood until its many homes and businesses were burned down in the riot.
In addition to the lives lost, many more black Americans were left injured or homeless.
In the years following the incident, many official records were lost or destroyed, and schools did not teach about the massacre.
Speaking in Tulsa on Tuesday, Mr Biden said: “For much too long, the history of what took place here was told in silence, cloaked in darkness.”
“My fellow Americans, this was not a riot. This was a massacre, and among the worst in our history. But not the only one.”
Less than two years after the Tulsa massacre, a white mob destroyed the black town of Rosewood in rural Florida.
On 31 May, Mr Biden issued a proclamation for a day of remembrance.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57323200
Ha! [Again!] 😁
The four Grand Slams say they want to “create meaningful improvements” in supporting players after Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open.
Osaka, 23, pulled out on Monday – a day after the Slams threatened her with expulsion for not talking to the media.
The Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open have offered their “support and assistance” to her.
“We commend Naomi for sharing in her own words the pressures and anxieties she is feeling,” they said.
“We empathise with the unique pressures tennis players may face.”
The four major tournaments have faced criticism for the way they have handled the issue at Roland Garros.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/57323649
Kudos to Osaka for ‘being a diva’ and for ‘making a scene’.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams acknowledged that speaking to the media was “definitely not easy to do for anyone”.
“For me personally, I know every single person asking me a question can’t play as well as I can and never will, so no matter what you say or what you write, you’ll never light a candle to me,” said the 40-year-old American.
Ouch.
Well THAT didn’t take long! Polls closed an hour ago and it is an ASS-KICKING!! YEAH MELANIE!!!
Yesss, we knew she would win, but still fun! And her trumpy refugg opponent was so disgusting and useless (as usual).
https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/melanie-stansbury-projected-winner-of-cd-1-special-election/6127925/?cat=500
😀😊🙂😃
Need support in Hendersonville, NC
LOL! This whole thread! 😆😂🤣
👏🏽👏🏽
COOL!!!
The thug got bludgeoned by 2 to 1 and the fucking gopolitico headlines it as a ‘hold’?
yup…they continue to carry the water…
Yup, I’ve noticed that print and visual media is using hyperbole in even the simplest statement. SMH
For me, he will always be that traitorous thug.
How much of it got siphoned off by the traitorous thug and his klan?
THIS! Tell him Dudette
Yay New Mexico!
i think that this is a white American delusion
🛰👨🏼🚀👨🏼🚀Live spacewalk
The same dc bw corrupt hacks who normalized the insurrectionist traitorous thug.
The same dc bw corrupt hacks who normalized the insurrectionist traitorous thug.
Nike stands by ‘courageous’ Osaka
Tennis star Naomi Osaka has found support from Nike (NKE) and other major sponsors after deciding to withdraw from the ongoing French Open.
The sports apparel giant — who signed a sponsorship deal with Osaka in 2019 — applauded the athlete in a statement on Monday for opening up about her struggle with depression.
“Our thoughts are with Naomi. We support her and recognise her courage in sharing her own mental health experience,” Nike said as reported by CNN.
https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/nike-stands-by-courageous-osaka-naomi-french-open/20210602.htm
A kick in the nads of that french fucktard.
Good morning everyone.
This is CEB from Florida. Been away from the village for awhile over this year of COVID and political and social turmoil. I am fully vaccinated and slowly reclaiming my life. So good to see that other long-time members of the community are still here. Special thanks to NW for continuing in her role as mayor and leader of our Ohana. We are challenging Desantis and Rubio with Nikki Friend and Val Demings will have a busy time with that. Take care everyone.
Carla
Take care Carla…..
we will do what we must…Because we will not return to the JIM CROW era….we will NOT…
Thanks. Good morning.
(((((((((( 😃 CEB 😃 ))))))))))
Hi Dudette; so happy that you have helped to keep the village alive.
Great to see you! I hope all is well with you and yours. I’m happy and grateful Nerdy has kept the lights on her for us. She’s a Queen! 👑
Hey CEB, it’s good to hear from you. Welcome back, you’ve been missed 🙋🏾♀️💖
Good Morning! 🎼🎶🎵🎻
Judy Murray backs Osaka, says media demands “extremely high”.
‘How many young people do you know who would be comfortable addressing or being questioned by a roomful of very much older strangers?’
‘She (Osaka) is one of a very exciting batch of young female players and I am a big fan of hers. I hope with all my heart that she can find a way of feeling more at home in this sport.’
Judy Murray spoke out in support of Naomi Osaka on Wednesday, saying tennis players faced extremely high demands from the media which could become an “underestimated source of stress”.
https://www.rediff.com/sports/special/now-judy-murray-backs-osaka-media-demands-extremely-high/20210602.htm
Imagine playing your heart out with the dreaded press conference hanging over you…
If it must be, how about days later?
Tokyo Olympics: Adviser frets about Games; volunteers quit.
Addressing a parliamentary committee, medical adviser Shigeru Omi said organisers should explain to the public why they are going ahead in the middle of a pandemic.
Japan’s most senior medical adviser said on Wednesday that hosting the Olympics during a pandemic was “not normal” while media reported thousands of volunteers quitting in advance.
Doctors have said the Olympics, due to start on July 23 after postponement from last year, would strain a healthcare system already seeing record numbers in critical condition.
Only 2.7% of Japanese have completed inoculations, a Reuters tracker shows. The pace of new infections has, however, slowed.
Most Japanese oppose holding the Olympics — due to start on July 23 after postponement from last year — while doctors fear the event would strain a healthcare system seeing record numbers in critical condition and struggling to vaccinate the nation.
https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/hosting-olympics-not-normal-in-pandemic-japan-medical-adviser/20210602.htm
The pig pigheadedness of ioc and japanese govt is stunning.
Stunning is one word. Criminal is another.
🙏🏾😔
something special…so lovely.
Next some RWNJ denegrades France….they respect the American soldiers that fought for freedom on their land. Not like Trumpians.
The 12 States of Awesomeness! 💉
All Blue states. Time to secede.
Heh!
Ha!👍🏾
Go Philly!
Dr. Stanford is doing great work.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
💖
Go Philly, part deux
Our supreme court is taking the thug modi govt to task almost every other day over their piss poor pandemic handling.
https://www.rediff.com/news/report/sc-asks-govt-to-place-vax-policy-documents-on-record/20210602.htm
Keep up the pressure
Go NYC! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
What George said.
A zillion bazillion thanks to Marc Elias. Off the charts work to defend us!!
THIS!!!!! I am so thankful for Marc. Also thankful that we won that seat in Mexico last night.
LOL. Yet another proof of #ettd
Thanks to all for all the great news today, thx so much.
Remarks by President Biden
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre
(excerpts)
“First, we have to see, hear, and give respect to Mother Randle, Mother Fletcher, and Mr. Van Ellis. (Applause.) To all those lost so many years ago, to all the descendants of those who suffered, to this community — that’s why we’re here: to shine a light, to make sure America knows the story in full.”
“Through the night and into the morning, the mob terrorized Greenwood. Torches and guns. Shooting at will…
Private planes — private planes — dropping explosives — the first and only domestic aerial assault of its kind on an American city here in Tulsa.
Eight of Greenwood’s nearly two dozen churches burned, like Mt. Zion — across the street, at Vernon AME.
Mother Randle said it was like war.
Mother Fletcher says, all these years later, she still sees Black bodies around.
Yet no one — no arrests of the mob were made. None. No proper accounting of the dead. The death toll records by local officials said there were 36 people. That’s all. Thirty-six people. But based on studies, records, and accounts, the likelihood — the likely number is much more, in the multiple of hundreds. Untold bodies dumped into mass graves. Families who, at the time, waited for hours and days to know the fate of their loved ones are now descendants who have gone 100 years without closure.
But, you know, as we speak, the process — the process of exhuming the unmarked graves has started. And at this moment, I’d like to pause for a moment of silence for the fathers, the mothers, the sisters, sons, and daughters, friends of God and Greenwood. They deserve dignity, and they deserve our respect.
May their souls rest in peace.”
“My fellow Americans, this was not a riot. This was a massacre — (applause) — among the worst in our history, but not the only one. And for too long, forgotten by our history.
As soon as it happened, there was a clear effort to erase it from our memory — our collective memories — from the news and everyday conversations. For a long time, schools in Tulsa didn’t even teach it, let alone schools elsewhere”
“Imagine all those hotels and dinners [diners] and mom-and-pop shops that could been — have been passed down this past hundred years. Imagine what could have been done for Black families in Greenwood: financial security and generational wealth.”
“Shockingly, the percentage of Black American homeownership is lower today in America than when the Fair Housing Act was passed more than 50 years ago. Lower today. That’s wrong.
And we’re committing to changing that.”
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/06/02/remarks-by-president-biden-commemorating-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-tulsa-race-massacre/)
A lot of AA, women, and people of color lost homeownership due to predatory real estate practices from enacted by the Bush Administration with turning equity in our homes into piggy banks and made lots of folks rich. Then the R.E. bubble burst and mostly people of color lost their homes.
Regina Goodwin, Oklahoma State Representative, 73rd district – includes Greenwood,
talks to Rachel Maddow:
Maddow:
“I was struck by President Biden today talking about the economic, long-term ramifications of the destruction of Greenwood. Talking about the loss of generational wealth, the businesses that were never handed down, the property that was never handed down, the families that never had the opportunity to build on what had been built up in that community. What did you make of his discussion about what we can do now to address the racial wealth gap? He’s talking about inequity in housing, small business finance, really granular specific things.”
Goodwin:
“Yes you know he did point out that we had about 32% home ownership in 1921. And it’s about the same now a hundred years later. Yet when you look at our white counterparts they’re about 57% home ownership.
And so the differences are dramatic. And yes he’s absolutely right. He is in a position where he can do quite a bit. As it relates to grants, as it relates to home ownership, loans. As it relates quite frankly, to people having land. You have to have land first of all to build on. So land was lost, taken, stolen during that day. And when you come into that north side community, when you look at the gentrification that’s happening in Tulsa. Absolutely, right policy implemented properly – we can do more in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
So I’m glad that he’s giving thought to it. And the next thing is you’ve got to put some action behind it.
So we stand ready. We continue to do the work we can here in Tulsa. But certainly national, federal help would be greatly appreciated. Reparations absolutely are due and it can come in many forms.”
ANWAR
Biden administration suspends oil and gas leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
“Interior Secretary Deb Haaland orders new environmental review of the leasing program, saying the Trump administration did an ‘insufficient analysis’ of drilling’s impact”
“The move by the Interior Department, which could spark a major legal battle, dims the prospect of oil drilling in a pristine and politically charged expanse of Alaskan wilderness that Republicans and Democrats have fought over for four decades. The Trump administration auctioned off the right to drill in the refuge’s coastal plain —
home to hundreds of thousands of migrating caribou and waterfowl as well as the southern Beaufort Sea’s remaining polar bears — just two weeks before President Biden was inaugurated.”
“But Tuesday’s move signaled that the new administration was willing to take aggressive action in an area that has been a rallying cry for environmentalists for decades.”
—Let me weep here…big thx to the WH and Secretary Haaland.
That’s My Vice President!
“The Whiteness of Wealth:
How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans–and How We Can Fix It”
by Dorothy A. Brown
“Racial hierarchy in America is deeply embedded in structural institutions….”
On the Chris Hayes podcast: “Why Is This Happening?”
Listen: (April 20th)
The little russian invited to speak at NC GOP convention this Saturday June 5th.
Does he believe he’s getting traction?
–Arrest him already.
This seems significant.
Opinion:
A frantic warning from 100 leading experts: Our democracy is in grave danger
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/06/01/frantic-warning-100-leading-experts-our-democracy-is-grave-danger/)
Statement of Concern
The Threats to American Democracy and the Need for National Voting and Election Administration Standards
(https://www.newamerica.org/political-reform/statements/statement-of-concern/)
Flynn: “No reason. I mean it should happen here.”
“After the Fall: Being American in the World We’ve Made”
by Ben Rhodes
Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre
Aboard Air Force One En Route Tulsa, OK.
June 01, 2021
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2021/06/01/press-gaggle-by-principal-deputy-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-aboard-air-force-one-en-route-tulsa-ok/)
June 2, Wednesday
3 p.m. – NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson to address media on future missions, climate, and Artemis
during State of NASA event
NASA LIVE: https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive
New post.