Oklahoma : In God We Trust

Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States. Oklahoma is the 20th most populous state in the country with a population of 3,930,864 as of 2019. The state’s capital and largest city is Oklahoma City. Oklahoma is bordered by six states: Arkansas to the east, Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northeast, Texas to the south and west, New Mexico to the west, and Colorado to the northwest. Oklahoma has an area of 69,899 square miles (181,035 km2), making it the 28th largest state by area.

The state’s name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning “red people”. It is also known informally by its nickname, “The Sooner State”, in reference to the non-Native settlers who staked their claims to land in the Oklahoma Territory ahead of the official opening date of April 22, 1889. Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory were merged into the state of Oklahoma when it became a state on November 16, 1907.

Oklahoma City was settled on April 22, 1889, when the Oklahoma Land Rush saw thousands of settlers claim land in the unassigned territory that had been opened for settlement just hours before. The city began growing rapidly after this land rush. Oklahoma City’s population tripled between 1890 and 1900. Oklahoma City became the capital of Oklahoma in 1910 when state voters approved a constitutional amendment moving the capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma has a long history of racism, starting with the forced displacement of Native Americans during the Oklahoma Land Rush in 1889. Oklahoma was also a slave state before the American Civil War. After the war, Oklahoma became known as a “sundown state” where African Americans were not allowed to be present after dark. This policy continued into the 1950s and 1960s. Oklahoma also had segregated schools and public facilities until 1954 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled such practices unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education.

Despite these racist policies and attitudes from the past, Oklahoma is now considered to be one of the most racially diverse states in the country. According to the 2010 census, Oklahoma’s population was 19.3% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% African American, 3.6% Native American, 2.9% Asian, and 0.2% Pacific Islander. Oklahoma also has the second largest Native American population in the country with over 381,000 residents who identify as Native American. Oklahoma is also home to a large community of African Americans, with over 692,000 residents who identify as black or African American. Oklahoma City has the third largest African American population of any city in the United States with over 200,000 black residents.

Despite its racially diverse population, Oklahoma still has a long way to go in terms of addressing racism. In 2015, Oklahoma was ranked as the 4th most racist state in the country by 24/7 Wall Street. This ranking was based on a number of factors including the state’s history of racism, the prevalence of hate groups, and the number of hate crimes per capita. Oklahoma also has one of the largest disparities in terms of income and wealth between white residents and residents of color. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income for white Oklahoma households was $61,735 in 2016 while the median household income for black Oklahoma households was just $33,321. This disparity is even worse when considering wealth. The median net worth for white Oklahoma households was $131,405 in 2016 while the median net worth for black Oklahoma households was just $5,778.

These disparities are likely due in part to the long history of racism in Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s history of racism has made it difficult for people of color to access opportunities and resources that would help. Oklahoma’s history of racism has also made it difficult for people of color to build wealth and achieve economic stability. Oklahoma must address its history of racism in order to create a more equitable and just state for all residents.

Racism has plagued many parts of the United States for centuries, and Oklahoma is no exception. The state has a long and complex history of racism that has affected the lives of many people, particularly those of African American and Native American descent. Racism is evil because it perpetuates a system of inequality and discrimination that can have devastating effects on people’s lives and communities.

One of the most egregious examples of racism in Oklahoma occurred in 1921, when a white mob attacked the Greenwood district of Tulsa, a prosperous black neighborhood known as “Black Wall Street.” The mob burned down homes and businesses, killing an estimated 300 people and leaving thousands homeless. The incident is now known as the Tulsa Race Massacre, and it remains one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history.

But the legacy of racism in Oklahoma didn’t end with the Tulsa Race Massacre. Discrimination and prejudice against people of color continue to this day. In many parts of the state, particularly rural areas, people of color face significant economic, educational, and social barriers that limit their opportunities and restrict their ability to achieve their full potential.

Native Americans, who make up a significant portion of Oklahoma’s population, have also experienced racism and discrimination. The state was once home to the Indian Territory, which was created in the 19th century to forcibly relocate indigenous people from their ancestral lands. Although Oklahoma’s tribes now have a measure of autonomy and control over their own affairs, many Native Americans still face systemic barriers in accessing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Racism is evil because it dehumanizes and marginalizes people based on their race, ethnicity, or culture. It denies them the same opportunities, rights, and protections that are available to others, and it reinforces harmful stereotypes and biases. Racism can lead to hate crimes, police brutality, and other forms of violence that can have devastating consequences for individuals and entire communities.

To combat racism in Oklahoma and elsewhere, it is important to acknowledge its existence and work to dismantle the systems and structures that perpetuate it. This requires a collective effort from all members of society, including individuals, organizations, and government institutions. Education, dialogue, and allyship are key to creating a more just and equitable society that values diversity and inclusivity.

In conclusion, racism is evil because it perpetuates inequality, injustice, and discrimination. Oklahoma has a long and complicated history of racism that continues to impact the lives of many people today. It is important to acknowledge this history and work to create a more just and equitable society that values diversity and inclusivity. By doing so, we can work towards a brighter future for all Oklahomans and all Americans.

SUNDOWN TOWNS IN OKLAHOMA

Sundown town, in U.S. history, a town that excluded nonwhite people—most frequently African Americans—from remaining in town after sunset.

Here is a current list of sundown towns in Oklahoma. This list has been created by Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, MS. This list is a work in progress. Some cities have been confirmed as sundown towns and some are listed for other or similar reasons.

Allen

Alva

Apache

Arkoma

Barnsdall

Bixby

Blackwell

Blair

Boise City

Broken Arrow

Caddo

Carnegie

Cherokee

Cleveland

Collinsville

Colony

Comanche

Commerce

Durant

Edmond

Erick

Fox

General

Gore

Greer County

Grove

Haileyville

Healdton

Henryetta

Hinton

Hooker

Jenks

Lawton

Lexington

Lindsay

Madill

Marlow

Marshall

Medford

Moore

Morris

Noble

Norman

Okeene

Okemah

Ottawa County

Paden

Picher

Purcell

Sapulpa

Skiatook

Stilwell

Stroud

Taft

Tecumseh

Tioga

Walters

Welch