Unmarked graves and broken headstones are scattered across the weed covered landscape of one of oldest cemeteries in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Oak Cemetery was established in 1867 as the only place where African Americans were allowed to be buried. The remains of former slaves, Fayetteville’s first black police officer and civil rights pioneers are interred in this small cemetery.
Today, their stories of struggle have faded into the shadows, much like the cemetery itself. Oak Cemetery stands as constant reminder of a dark time in our nation’s history when segregation and racism plagued our communities. Black Cemeteries across the South are facing the same future. Their history is lost.
The legacy of the people buried in Oak Cemetery tells the story of struggle. These forgotten souls fought for equality and broke down barriers to pave the way for change. The film Oak Cemetery: A Forgotten Place details the history of Oak Cemetery and the issues it faces in the future. The cemetery is almost to capacity; fewer than 100 burial plots remain. Without any federal funding it is impossible for those in charge of the cemetery to purchase land for expansion. Only a small group of people work to maintain the cemetery grounds.
The film also highlights a piece of Fayetteville’s forgotten history. It details the events surrounding the murder of the city’s first African American police officer, who was hired in the 1920s specifically to patrol the
black section of town. Patrolman Lem McPherson was gunned down by a well-known bootlegger and buried in an unmarked grave in Oak Cemetery. His story slipped through the cracks, until recently.
Oak Cemetery: A Forgotten Place documents the importance of preserving the past and honoring the memory of those who call Oak Cemetery their final resting place.
Today, their stories of struggle have faded into the shadows, much like the cemetery itself. Oak Cemetery stands as constant reminder of a dark time in our nation’s history when segregation and racism plagued our communities. Black Cemeteries across the South are facing the same future. Their history is lost.
The legacy of the people buried in Oak Cemetery tells the story of struggle. These forgotten souls fought for equality and broke down barriers to pave the way for change. The film Oak Cemetery: A Forgotten Place details the history of Oak Cemetery and the issues it faces in the future. The cemetery is almost to capacity; fewer than 100 burial plots remain. Without any federal funding it is impossible for those in charge of the cemetery to purchase land for expansion. Only a small group of people work to maintain the cemetery grounds.
The film also highlights a piece of Fayetteville’s forgotten history. It details the events surrounding the murder of the city’s first African American police officer, who was hired in the 1920s specifically to patrol the
black section of town. Patrolman Lem McPherson was gunned down by a well-known bootlegger and buried in an unmarked grave in Oak Cemetery. His story slipped through the cracks, until recently.
Oak Cemetery: A Forgotten Place documents the importance of preserving the past and honoring the memory of those who call Oak Cemetery their final resting place.