ROSEWOOD REMEMBERED: A story of survival, remembrance, commitment, dedication, justice, and recognition
Contributed
January 13, 2023
GAINESVILLE, Fla (AGN.News) – The story of 1923 Rosewood is both a lesson of justice in America and the struggle for justice faced by the survivors and the family of survivors.
In 1923, Rosewood was a small community of African Americans located in north Central Florida along state road 24, nine miles east of Cedar Key near the Gulf of Mexico. This small community of African American citizens was located in Levy County.
This is a story of the Rosewood Massacre of 1923 coupled with a story of survival, remembrance, commitment, dedication, justice, and recognition.
Rosewood Massacre of January 1-7, 1923
For about a week, from January 1, 1923 through January 7, 1923, one of the most horrific events of racial hatred in America’s history took place under the “law” by over 150 members of a racist white mob.
Leading this mob of self-appointed vigilantes was a racist deputy sheriff whose hatred for economically successful Black citizens lead to the Rosewood Massacre of 1923. You can read more about Rosewood here.
Seventy years later, as compensation for the property loss, the state of Florida gave money to the survivors, family of survivors, and scholarships to descendants of survivors.
Rosewood: A weekend of remembrance
This is a weekend of remembrance at University of Florida. It’s important to keep the events of January 1923 alive. Those events should always be a part of the consciousness of the nation. The lessons of justice denied as well as the commitment to bring justice to those falsely accused can never be overlooked.
This weekend’s events will address the issues faced by the survivors and those who have been impacted decades later by the events of January 1923. When those entrusted with protecting the rights of victims switch sides and turn victims into perpetrators always have a lasting impact on society.
Journalists, reporters, government officials, public speakers, the family of survivors, and many more will be in attendance. Everyone will be reminded of the lack of justice will never be erased from the history of America.
People, the world over, will be talking about the events in Rosewood for generations. The failure of governments at all levels will be recounted for hundreds of years. The failures and the successes of those involved will always be in our collective memory.
Lessons of Rosewood are present today
One hundred years after Rosewood still echoes in the minds and conscious of the nation. Mainly because the generations of children who finally learned of their connection to those events.
In an interview with a descendant of a survivor of the massacre revealed on undeniable fact… generations of those in power who don’t know about Rosewood or fail to connect with the failures of Rosewood law enforcement are destined to repeat those same failures.
Police training to’ protect and serve’
What should always be included in training of law enforcement personnel today that may prevent little mini-Rosewoods?
First, people entrusted with the power to enforce the laws of the land should protect and serve their community. Second, people who are accused have rights also. Third, being a person of color is not a crime and should never be treated as a criminal because of the color of their skin.
When police have an ‘us verses them’ mentality the results can have lasting effects on the country. There are many examples of this ‘us verses them’ mentality on display today.
The murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, Memorial Day, by four police officers in Minneapolis is proof of an event that will live on for hundreds of years. Their failure to understand the value of Black life had monumental consequences on the world.
These type of issues are often not popular to talk about. However, our collective failure to address the ‘Rosewood Effect’ on society today can only serve to repeat ‘one on’ type of events. The ‘Rosewood Effect’ can create major negative residual problems for society.
Lessons of Rosewood survivors today
The Bryce Brothers, John and William, knew the residents of Rosewood and had done business with them. They owned the local railroad train which stopped in Rosewood. They picked up women and children (no men) and safely transported them to Gainesville via the Seaboard Air Line Railway to safety. John Wright, the store owner, protected some Blacks by letting them safely shelter in his home.
Levy County sheriff, Robert “Bob” Walker protected many victims and led some to safety. He found and took possession of the shotgun used by Sylvester to kill the two white men trying to break into his home after killing his mother on the porch.
Many of these survivors were never heard from again. Once they reached safety, they fled the south for points unknown. Remember these survivors were land owners, homeowners, and gifted professionals.
Today, there are negative and less than healthy attitudes among many of Rosewood’s descendants. We call this part of the #RosewoodEffect on these descendants.
The aforementioned white citizens were part of the survival of the victims. Likewise today, there are people in power, who are willing to be part of the solution rather than aid and abet crimes against the innocent. Today, all of these exemplary citizens are and should continue to be remembered for their actions.
#GoldOverBlack
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