233: A Band of Brothers

"Syndics of the Drapers' Guild" (1662) by Rembrandt 

Grann reports that one of the most difficult questions of the case was whether "a jury of twelve white men would ever punish another white man for killing an American Indian" (233).

One way to account for why white men would avoid punishing another white man for committing such a crime is that they felt loyalty for "one of their own."

When, if ever, is it appropriate to attribute a higher importance to demonstrating loyalty to the members of your own subgroup than it is to behave as an impartial judge?

Is it ever acceptable to show favoritism to family members over strangers, for example? Or to fellow countrymen over citizens of other countries?

237: No Justice, No Peace

Still from "Twelve Angry Men" (1957)

In Hale's trial, the judge warned the jury that "There has never been a country on this earth that has fallen except when that point was reached . . . where the citizens would say, 'We cannot get justice in our courts'" (237).

The judge's point may be overstated, but do you think there has ever been a time when citizens of the United States might have claimed that they could not get justice in our courts?  What exactly can a government do to combat that notion?

273: Sleeping Dogs

"Freedom of Speech" (1943) by Norman Rockwell

Grann reports that the Osage were "able to retrieve at least a portion of the oil funds mismanaged over decades by the U.S. government. In 2011, after an eleven-year legal battle, the government agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the Osage for $380 million" (273).

Some might argue that this portion is not enough; others might argue that it is too much. Some might say that the government owes an apology to the Osage Nation; others might argue that such an apology would just open the door to an endless series of lawsuits and grievances in which anyone associated with any group that has suffered in U. S. history would demand an apology. These lawsuits would just create conflict, the argument goes, and consequently, it would be better to just let bygones be bygones.

Do you believe a national or state government should provide an apology and/or some form of reparation to victims of past wrongdoings sponsored by the national or state government?

313: My Bad

Grann explains that "Many of the cases seemed bound by a web of silent conspirators" including court-appointed guardians, private eyes, doctors, attorneys, bankers, the mayor, countless lawmen and prosecutors and judges--a high percentage of the county's leading citizens. As Grann puts it, "virtually every element of society was complicit in the murderous system" (316).

Do you think it is fair to say that the family members and descendants of those implicated in this conspiracy as well as the businesses that the conspirators worked for owe something--either money or an apology--to the descendants and family members of those who were victims of that conspiracy?

Killers of the Flower Moon Sandbox

"The Beach at Palavas" (1854) by Gustave Courbet

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Killers of the Flower Moon Take-away

So you've read Killers of the Flower Moon now. In 100 words or less, identify the part of the book that is most likely to stick with you the longest.

What's your take away?

Don't answer this question until you've finished reading the entire book.

Digging deeper

"Two Peasant Women Digging in Field with Snow" (1890) by Vincent Van Gogh 

Click here to see an 8.5-minute clip about Killers of the Flower Moon that ran on CBS Sunday Morning (April 17, 2017).