Survivors, descendents return to Rosewood seeking healing

[Judi Lynn]

Survivors, descendents return to Rosewood seeking healing
By DIRK LAMMERS, Associated Press
January 2, 2004

ROSEWOOD — It's been 81 years since Robie Allenetta Robinson Mortin set foot here, but little is left of the town in which she grew up.

On Jan. 1, 1923, a lynch mob descended onto the predominantly black township and hanged her uncle, Samuel Carter. Mortin's father whisked the 8-year-old girl and her sister onto a train that carried many residents to safety as a mob burned Rosewood to the ground.

"We could see the flames from Chiefland," about 25 miles away, recalls Mortin, 89. "Why? Why burn down the houses? The children should have had some place to come home."

Mortin returned Thursday to gather with more than 100 people at the site of the massacre for a "peace and healing" ceremony, organized by Rosewood descendent Lizzie Jenkins.

Jenkins, president of the Archer-based Real Rosewood Foundation, says it's the first time survivors and descendants have marked an anniversary together.
(snip/...)

http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/florida/article/0,2071,NPDN_14910_2546412,00.html

[silverweb]

1. I'd never heard the Rosewood story before...

...and I'm very glad the victims' descendents are commemorating the anniversary. Bringing this horrific event to light is important, since silence perpetuates the pain and is slowly poisonous.

The reviews of the movie are powerful. This has just jumped to the top of my list as a must-see video to learn the tragic story of this town.

[Dirty Hippie]

2. The movie is not very factual

If you want the story read the book "Rosewood: Like Judgement Day"

Includes a lot of info about the legal battle in the Florida legislature for compensation for the victims but also covers the actual incident fairly well.

[sistersofmercy]

3. Yet another sad chapter of the white man's brutal history of atrocities

committed out of ignorance and hate along with the Tuskegee syphillis study, WWII internment camps and many others.
May those who are still ignorant and hateful find the light some day soon. Peace