The exciting multi-day Freedom Fiesta kicks off on Thursday at Oklahoma Contemporary.
Every year, we come together to celebrate and honor the historic events that shaped our city. We pay tribute to the courageous individuals who stood up for justice during the 1958 Katz Drug Store sit-in and the 1969 Sanitation Strike. These pivotal moments, led by Clara Luper and the NAACP Youth Council in OKC, paved the way for progress and equality.
Marilyn Hildreth shared her perspective on the experience of being black in America, stating, “When you’re born black, you have to live black, and you’re going to die black. So, it’s important to develop a tough skin.”
Hildreth learned that valuable lesson from her mother Clara Luper, a civil rights leader, at a young age.
On August 19th, 1958, Luper took charge and led a group of 13 children to the Katz Drug Store, a place where black individuals were not allowed to dine.
According to Mildrth, individuals had the freedom to purchase anything they desired from Katz, even if it meant spending all their money. However, when it came to satisfying their hunger, they had no choice but to resort to a simple brown paper sack.
At the time, Hildreth was just 9 years old and found herself perplexed by the discrimination she witnessed.
Jabee Williams mentioned that his aunt was among the protestors.
Jabee, a member of the Clara Luper Legacy Committee, explained that after they finished with Katz, they moved on to the next person and then the next.
Thousands of people gathered in the city in 1969 for the Black Friday Sanitation Strike, advocating for equal pay.
The hard work and dedication of those individuals have now come to fruition as we celebrate their achievements with the annual Freedom Fiesta, 55 years later.
Williams mentioned that they discuss the experiences of the individuals.
On Friday evening, the Angie Smith Chapel at Oklahoma City University will host a delightful Choir concert starting at 6:00pm.
The aim is to preserve the legacy of Clara Luper.
Williams emphasized the importance of elevating her name within the narrative of the civil rights movement.
Let’s delve into the rich narrative of Black History.
Hildreth emphasized the importance of telling the story, stating, “Because if we don’t tell it, who will?”
