October 12, 2007
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY OOOOOOOOKLAHOMA
On November 16th, Oklahoma will celebrate its 100th birthday. This means that I’m pretty much half as old as the state, which really sucks when I think about it.
In the past couple of years I’ve made a lot of fun of Oklahoma in this blog, but in honor of our centennial I feel compelled to defend the great state in which I’ve lived for almost half a century. I’m going to do this by dispelling many of the myths surrounding Oklahoma which persist in the national consciousness.
Myth #1 – Oklahoma is desolate and barren.
When people think of Oklahoma they often conjure up mental images straight from Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” They envision Oklahoma as flat, featureless, and unappealing. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Here’s a photo of the state line on one of our many scenic highways taken directly from an Oklahoma tourism website:
Myth #2 – Oklahoma is full of uneducated, stupid people
Oklahoma is home to companies like Boeing, American Airlines, and Williams Communications. Technology and engineering are key components in Oklahoma’s economy. In 1957 a group of Oklahoma engineers designed a time-capsule in which a brand new Plymouth Belvedere was buried:
Here it is when it was unearthed earlier this summer. Isn’t it beautiful!?
Myth #3 – Oklahoma is a right-wing state
Oklahoma may be a little “red” around the edges but the state is actually a bastion of progressive thought, tolerance, and liberal idealism. After all, Oklahoma is the home of beloved Senator James Inhofe who has voted against stem cell research, voted for a constitutional ban on gay marriage, and who, as the unbiased chairman of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works, was quoted as saying “Global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.”
Myth #4 – Oklahoma is full of Cowboys and Indians
Perhaps it’s all those old TV westerns but people seem to think that everyone rides horses in Oklahoma and that Indians in headdresses roam the plains in search of bison. This picture (that was snapped on a cell phone a couple of weeks ago when I picked Jamie up from her job at Sonic drive-in) is not indicative of how most people commute in Oklahoma:
And as for Indians, I don’t know what you’re talking about:
Fun facts to know about Oklahoma:
1. The term “Sooner” refers to people who cheated during the Oklahoma land run. Isn’t it great that our state nickname comes from people who committed land fraud?
2. Oklahoma is the birthplace of noted humorist Will Rogers who said such memorable things as; “Well, all I know is what I read in the papers.” Do you think Will Rogers is funny? Neither do I.
Actually, I love Oklahoma, and I love Tulsa in particular. I don’t believe anyone who says that Oklahoma is nothing but a dried up oil patch, and here’s a photo of the largest sculpture in Tulsa to prove it:
Happy 100th Oklahoma!
Comments (22)
All this glowing praise for Oklahoma makes me want to book a flight right away!
My only question is: does the wind come sweeping down the plains?
I am drawn to the place for its hottie Native American men running around. Ok, so they all run casinos now. However, I’m sure a few of them still let their flaxen hair blow in the breezes sweeping down that aforementioned plain.
Oh and my stepdaughter lives there.
Well, at least there are the tornadoes to look forward to. (Does tornado have an e in the plural, like tomato?)
We will never live down the Belvedere story!
I love the cowboy at the Sonic.
It could be worse though….I may be having to leave this beloved state to go to….are ya ready for this one…
Wisconsin….UGH….I guess I can blog about cheeseheads!
Great write as always.
Your love for your native state comes whipping down the plains.
I had no idea OK came to statehood so late! You made me learn something today, i had to google it to believe. (Sorry to have doubted you, but ND centennial was back in ’89)
That late date of statehood surprised me too. Was the country hesitating about letting OK in?Great tour. Had me laughing all the way.
Wow. I had things all mixed up about your state. You should go immediately and apply for a job with the tourism bureau. They’re sure to have you help craft their message.
Only 100? Oklahoma doesn’t look a day over 90.
That Plymouth is just a cryin’ shame.
You’re going to start another land rush down there! And nicknamed after a bunch of cheaters, that’s choice!
Here’s my response: The Belvedere “time capsule” was a brilliant bit of publicity. Oklahoma City buried a time capsule at the semi-centennial as well, but did anyone care when they dug up theirs? Nope. But CNN ran stories about Tulsa’s. And Tulsa’s brought in tourists from all over the world. I know–I was there when they dug it up because my grandfather, a welder, helped put it in the ground. And the actual time capsule that was put in with the car was in pristine condition (it had been welded shut). Pretty good publicity stunt, if you ask me, and the actual archival material was intact.
The car? A total piece of crap
Good readin’! You should do a travel guide to the fifty states, a la Dave Barry. I’d buy a copy.
I haven’t visited you for a long time, and now I know why I’ve missed your writing. Have a great day!
Yeah, I love that our nickname is for a bunch of cheaters… But I still miss the Golden Driller. We used to live just down the street from him. It was good going to sleep at night knowing he was guarding our street. Plus, if Godzilla or Mothra ever comes to Tulsa, we know exactly who would kick their asses! That’s right! Mr. GEM! (GEM stands for Gold Emasculated Man – just a pet name for our local super hero.)
RYC: Never fear your blow up Trixie is safe. Now if you have a blow up Trevor… Nevermind I hear the federales monitor you site for just this sort of purient interest.
The Tulsa guy needs some fashion advice. All one color that is the same as your skin tone? It really does not work for me.
Gosh, I thought you had gone back into Xanga hibernation, and you’ve been here all the time! Ahem, hint-hint!
Now, you just take consolation in this: That 1957 Belvedere and you are pretty much the same age, right? Well, I’d say after fifty years, you have aged considerably better than that car. Good thing, huh?
Kathi
I think I need to visit Tusla in my next life!
My family and I stayed in Tulsa one night after driving down from Branson to take a flight back to OC. We liked Tulsa, I would not mind staying longer and actually getting to know the town….we liked OK as well, so much so that my husband would like to see if there are resort areas that have log homes to look into….we, could be neighbors some day…..
Happy B’day OK!
Wow….Because of what you have told us, Oklahoma is next on my “places-to-visit” list.
Where is it again?
Happy belated 100th to the great state of Chokelahoma, where cheaters are honored and morons are leaders.
That’s how we roll.
(Forgive me for taking so long to catch up with your blog. It’s been well worth the wait, though.)