My family was chased off our land by a racist mob. More than 80 years later, I own it again.

Sat, 01/20/2024 - 07:54

Opal Lee poses for a photas.o at her home in Fort Worth, Tex — Opal Lee, known as the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' recently regained possession of land her family was driven away from more than eight decades ago.
LM Otero/AP

Opal Lee is a 97-year-old former teacher who advocated to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
When Lee was 12 years old, her family was driven off their land.
More than 80 years later, she regained the land her family lost.

This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Opal Lee, a 97-year-old activist and former teacher who advocated to make Juneteenth a national holiday. The essay has been edited for length and clarity.