Two surviving witnesses of the Tulsa Race Massacre are now dual citizens in the United States and an African nation.
The pair was granted citizenship in the Republic of Ghana by the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C.
Viola Ford Fletcher, 108, and her brother Hughes Van Ellis, 102, are now officially Ghanaians, according to a report from The Washington Post. They are two of three last survivors of the horrific national shame, where hundreds of residents here killed, about 800 were injured and over 1,250 homes and property within the 35-square-block area were burned to the ground.
The two attended a ceremony at the Ghanaian Embassy, where they swore an oath of allegiance and signed certification documents recognizing them as citizens of the African country from which a substantial number of enslaved people originated.
KTUL reports the ceremony was hosted and organized by Erieka Bennett, founder of Diaspora African Forum, the Ghana Tourism Authority and members of the Ghanaian government.
Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghana’s first female ambassador to the United States, participated in the program. She first explained what dual citizenship meant before calling Fletcher to take her oath.
“I now invite Queen Mother Naa Lameley Viola Fletcher to take the oath of allegiance,” she said.
Fletcher said, “I swear solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully bear true allegiance to the Republic of Ghana and I will preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the Republic of Ghana, so help me God.”
The centenarian’s grandson stood beside her and repeated each word after her.
After Ellis finished reciting the oath, he waved a small Ghanaian flag before saying, “I feel like a king. It is an honor and privilege to be a member of Ghana.”
According to the BBC, the Justice for Greenwood Foundation said Fletcher and Ellis are now the oldest African Americans to be granted citizenship of Ghana, adding the…
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