14/05 Buffalo Massacre Community Memory Coalition Creates Community Archive

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A group of neighbors are collecting memorabilia to confront white supremacy in our community.

The May 14 Community Memory Coalition is collecting oral histories of May 14, when ten black people were shot and killed by a white supremacist.

The group wants to preserve first-hand accounts to create a community archive. They are also working to understand how the tragedy changed Buffalo to ensure that history is not forgotten.

“There have been stories that have been historically excluded from our narrative and that’s part of what contributes to white supremacy and these various issues of racism and white supremacy that we’re trying to address,” Melissa Brown, co-chair of the 5/14 Buffalo Massacre Community Remembrance Coalition, said.

“As we’ve said, accuracy is important not only to have stories that haven’t been told, but also to have them misrepresented,” says Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold. “So we want an accurate record of people who actually experienced the problem.”

The coalition held its first public meeting Thursday at the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Branch Library.

The co-chairs say all community members are welcome to participate.