This year is the hundredth anniversary of Will Brown’s murder and the race riots of 1919. In conjunction with this anniversary, the Kingfisher Institute hosted author Ted Wheeler for a reading and discussion of his book “Kings of Broken Things.” The novel, although not the main focus, discusses the murder of Will Brown.
Father Hendrickson began the night by introducing the novel and offering a prayer over discussion.
“This novel explores the disturbing, horrific period in our city and in the nation and examines our current needs for racial reconciliation,” said the Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, S.J.
Wheeler, a Creighton graduate, teaches creative writing at University of Nebraska Omaha, read from his fictional story of life in Omaha during World War I, following emigrant communities before reading from the section that talks about the riot surrounding Will Brown.
“It is troubling material, to say the least, and how the country has changed or failed to change in recent years makes this history even more troubling,” said Wheeler.
Intended to create conversation, Wheeler’s reading was followed up by a discussion of panelists from the Omaha community. Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum, Creighton History associate professor Dr. Heather Fryer and Palma Joy Strand of the Creighton School of Law were the three panelists joined by moderator Dr. Lydia Cooper, Creighton associate professor of English.
“There is no change unless there is discomfort,” Ewing said in response to the difficult discussions about the violence that took place.
In September of 1919, Will Brown was accused of raping a white woman. Whether he was innocent or not, a mob of Omaha residents demanded he pay the price and be lynched, according to History Nebraska.
“We don’t really talk about what happened,” College of Arts and Sciences Junior Noah Harrahill said.
“But it is such an important piece of Omaha history as much as it is horrific. I think this book is a good starting point for the much needed discussion.”