Oklahoma, the Sooner State, is a land where the contrasts are as stark as a prairie sunset against a storm-laden sky. It’s a place where the Wild West still whispers in the wind, where oil gushes beneath the earth, and where Dust Bowl ghosts haunt the plains.
Imagine a state that birthed the Black Wall Street, a testament to Black prosperity, only to see it crushed by the racist fury of a mob. Yet, today, it’s a tapestry woven with threads of Native American heritage, African American resilience, and the hopeful dreams of countless immigrants.
THE GOOD: There’s the soothing embrace of hot springs, including the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains; the intellectual rigor of some of the nation’s top-rated universities, including Northeastern State, Rogers State, and Southwestern Oklahoma State; literary landmarks, including the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, the Oklahoma City National Memorial, and the Oklahoma Historical Society whispering tales of the past. Finally, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is widely regarded as one of the most stunning natural areas in Oklahoma, offering breathtaking scenery, including mountains, prairies, and wildlife.
Sooners are also known for their warm hospitality and friendly demeanor. Though the Texas caveat applies to the “Bless your Heart” expression. That phrase can cut either, or both ways. Another positive for Oklahoma is their affordable cost of living. Compared to many other states, Oklahoma is relatively affordable. As well, Oklahoma has a rich Native American heritage celebrated through various cultural events and attractions.
THE BAD: Oklahoma is prone to extreme weather conditions, including tornadoes, droughts, and heat waves; Oklahoma’s economy is heavily reliant on the energy sector, which can be vulnerable to fluctuations in oil and gas prices; some areas of Oklahoma have higher crime rates than others; in some parts of the state, there may be limited job opportunities.
THE UGLY: Oklahoma has been described as a “prison capital”, in the upper 90% incarceration rate of any US state, and by comparison, higher than the incarceration rates of any country in the world, El Salvador excluded. Many of them, women. In a 2023 report, The Sentencing Project highlighted Oklahoma’s “Failure to Protect” law, resulting in survivors of abuse facing longer sentences for allegedly failing to protect their children from harm more than the person who committed the abuse. Talk about Orange being the New Black.
Oklahoma is a land of extremes. Tornadoes dance across the sky, droughts parch the earth, and the heat can feel like a furnace. Its economy, tied to the volatile world of oil and gas, can boom and bust like a gambler’s fortune. And then there’s the ugly truth: Oklahoma is in the upper percentile for incarceration, a place where justice often seems race and gender biased. Yet, from this crucible of contrasts, Oklahoma has forged a unique identity. It’s a land of country music legends, baseball heroes, and story tellers who have shaped the nation. It’s a place where the past and the present collide, where hope and despair intertwine, and where the human spirit endures.
Overall, despite it’s checkered and tragic past, Oklahoma is a state with a lot to offer. While it still has its challenges, it also boasts a vibrant culture, natural beauty, and a friendly atmosphere.
Onward through the fog… R.H.
Tornado Alley…
And the Bible Belt…
Oklahoma…
A culture smelt…
A land of contrasts…
A land of joy and pain…
This land…
Gave us Woody G.
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