Discuss your LOVE/HATE relationship with OK

In your opinion, what are the best and worst attributes of Oklahoma?

I'll start:

Best:
--Natural geographical beauty
--Thunderstorms...exciting!
--Low cost-of-living
--Friendly people (for the most part)
--Generally high morals (no, I don't say this because there are lots of Christians, but just a lower incidence of serious crime than in many other places and people mostly believe in being friendly and doing "what's right".)

Worst:
--General lack of knowledge about things like autism, global warming, politics, art, etc.
--Lack of arts and humanities in most of the small-town schools.
--Horribly low-paying jobs.
--Inherited prejudices and outdated ways of thinking.
--The "good ol' boy" system where friends and families run schools or entire TOWNS, oftentimes dishonestly.
--Lack of appropriate entertainment for kids/teens, in small towns especially, which leads to teen pregnancies, alcohol abuse, fights, and other problems. We could SERIOUSLY use some afterschool programs, and not just in the inner cities but everywhere.
--Fear of being different/standing out, again in small towns mostly. Anyone who looks, behaves, or believes differently than the majority better watch out!

I'm in no way saying these things are ALWAYS the way it is, as there are exceptions to every rule. My experience was with small towns, and I'm sure the cities in OK are vastly different, but most of OK IS small towns, so...

Thoughts?

 

Well you made a pretty good list. Although, I am not sure I agree with " --General lack of knowledge about things like autism, global warming, politics, art, etc." You just have to look in all the right places. I've been heavily involved in college and working with/for people with disabilities and being a person with a disability myself, I've actually come across a very strong and knowledgeable overall community concerning those things. And just go to an art history class at OU or something, you will see there is much interest and knowledge about art as well, this seems to be true for all of the city of Norman.

I'd make a list, but I can't really think of anything extra to add to your pros/cons actually.

 

Agreed. I was mostly speaking from experience in small towns, in which there is NO knowledge about autism, even by the parents of children who are affected, and no appreciation for art, especially if it's "controversial" (i.e. contains nudity/sexual references). My high school had NO humanities or after-school programs, which led to many problems that I can't even get into here, and there was a general lack of law enforcement in my town--30-year olds could sleep with 12-year olds, people could cook meth, drive drunk and do pretty much anything they wanted. The schools were run by people who adhered to the buddy system, which led to the abuse and neglect of many children ESPECIALLY those with special needs, among other atrocities.

I'm sure the cities are better (they have to be!), but the towns really could use some help. Here in Nevada, the state is required to fund half of all autism treatments in those diagnosed (one in every 166 children on average) and there are awesome arts festivals and performance arts establishments, which is refreshing. I've heard great things about Norman, Tulsa, and parts of OKC, but in Western OK (where I'm from), things are pretty bleak.

 

For the most part I like the state and I would agree with your best / worse list. The biggest problem I have is that I find the state WAY To religious for my taste but it is something that I can tolerate. I hate how the school system currently is. But over all I think it is a pretty decent state.

 

i maybe movin there soon and yea the list pretty much confirmed what i expected
imj kinda expecting to be burned at the stake or something ..lol

 

When you come please just just make sure to visit Norman and then the Paseo (OKC) on a Friday night so we can drum together...and if you come on the first Friday of the month, ALL the galleries and shops are open till ten or so, for open house with wine & cheese & free buffets and there are free concerts in the Yoga Gallery and at Sauced, sidewalk cafes brimming with interesting people, folks just strolling around looking for fun and photos, and of course our famous Friday night drum circle at the Woodchuckchop complete with belly dancers and homemade instruments of all kinds, torchlites, kids, pets, & often yummy refreshments in the middle of a beautiful garden with fountains and homemade fantastic sculptures and much more! Please ignore all negative rumors (one posted here on the hip forums) about the drumming being a "battle". It is definitely NOT! It is a beautifully meshed, super-sensitive and totally synched-in play of percussive and other heartsounds...which has slowly developed over two years...and worth the trip there to participate. In fact the whole experience is quite an aesthetic TRIP!! I know because I helped organize it and I'm really proud to say it....just google Paseo Street in OKC

 

I love it here personally. The jobs might not pay that much, but at the same time stuff isnt very expensive compared to elsewhere in the states. I mostly love the strait roads. I hear that there isnt a lot to do, but i dont have that problem. I like to go to the lake/river, the bar, or street race....not in that order. (we go out to the country so we arent running red lights or endangering other people) The thunderstorms are nothing short of amazing also. Then again, im pretty easy to please. If I was coming from Cali or NY i might be a little disappointed, but this is where i grew up and im content for now.

 

You are absolutely right. The difference between smaller towns and large cities is astounding. ~Chainz