Friday, February 16, 2007

Sullivan's Bill Could Boost Race Riot Memorial

We don't always agree with First District Congressman John Sullivan. But we do want to commend Rep. Sullivan's efforts this week to secure National Park Service recognition for a memorial to the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot.

As the Tulsa World reported yesterday, Rep. Sullivan's bill would permit the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study to determine whether the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Museum and Memorial could become a part of the federal agency.

Sullivan admitted that the 1921 riot remains an ugly aspect of Tulsa's racial history. "There are people that don't like this," Sullivan told the World. "I know, but I don't care. I think that certainly it is something we need to have."

Good for Rep. Sullivan. The race riot is a significant part of local history that we should deal with and try to understand. Tulsans need to know their history, warts and all.

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