REVIEW - Don't Let Them Bury My Story

OVERVIEW

Viola Ford Fletcher, as of the publishing of this memoir, is the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Viola Ford Fletcher (Mother Fletcher) had a very interesting life of 109 years, but the WHAT IFs are unsettling. 

Mother Ford discusses her marriages, children, grandchildren, her testimony before a Congressional subcommittee, and a trip to the Motherland in Ghana.

This memoir is a DEFINITE read if you want to learn more about the Massacre. The only way we can stop horrific events like this from ever happening again is by learning about them. Whitewashing or ignoring historical events like this does a disservice to our country.

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars

Writing: 2.5 stars

This memoir was written by Mother Fletcher and her grandson, Ike Howard. Unfortunately, it appears that the book did not have a ghostwriter which would have improved the quality of writing. 

Additionally, I wanted more. I wanted more about Mother Fletcher's recollection of the Greenwood District before the horrible night of May 31. 1921. Her family sounds wonderful, especially her parents and siblings - I wanted to know more about them. I also wanted to know more about the "after times" for Mother Fletcher's family.

Finally, there could have been better editing. I came across the same phrase being used over and over and parts of the writing repeated in error. Good editing would have either removed the extraneous or added more detail to this novel.

Character Arc: 2.5 stars

The story begins with Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921 and ends with the possible restitution for the Massacre victims and descendants. 

However, there could have been so much more. I understand that this was Mother Fletcher's story to tell, but I really wanted more! 

Memorable: 4.5 stars

It was a memorable memoir. I will definitely be looking for more books on the Tulsa Race Massacre. 

Entertaining: 3.0 stars

It was a book that would NOT be entertaining, per se. It is a difficult subject to read about, period. But, I did learn enough to get me interested in finding out more about the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Book cover: 3.0 stars

It could have been so much more. 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Exactly on point. 

Gut feeling: 3.0 stars

I had no clue as to how I would feel about this memoir. So I was in the middle!

Suggestions: 

Listing, in detail, the owners and businesses that were lost that the author personally knew would have been very impactful. 

RECOMMEND

STATISTICS

Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Her Own Words by Viola Ford Fletcher

127 pages

Read as a Kindle ebook from the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

Release date of 08/15/20233

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Viola Ford Fletcher

My Goodreads review

Mocha Media Books

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜