Volume 7 , Issue 6

Okie vs. Oklahomans

"Glad you asked about the name "Okie" and how folks feel about it� Today I am older and would like to think of myself as wiser and, as far as I am concerned, at this point in my life, anyone can call themselves anything they want.

Here is my thought about the name "Okie". I read Steinbeck's book (Grapes of Wrath) about the migrant farm workers that could not eek out a living during the dust bowl days of the 20's and 30's about 45 years ago. I think it was assigned reading, specific to me, for punishment by Ms Cline or Ms Duke. I don't remember which.

It was my understanding, although, I am open to correction, that the folks that migrated west to California were called Okie's by the Californies -- from then on the term carried a derogatory implication. During my time in the military we called each other nicknames and my nickname, given to me by a New Yorkie, was Okie. He and a few others stopped calling me that when I made it clear that I was an Oklahoman and not an Okie, and that took some doing. I can trace my lineage, on both sides of my family, back 4 generations (Great-great Grandparents) living in NW Oklahoma, long before Alva was Alva, or for that matter before Oklahoma was Oklahoma. I am very proud of the fact that I am an Oklahoman, but please don't call me an 'Okie'.

I fully agree, they probably had no choice but to leave Oklahoma for greener pastures. It certainly wasn't their fault that they couldn't make a living, although agricultural conservationist they weren't. Okie is just a name that the folks out west called those migrating in their direction. My memory of the book and the movie, with Henry Fonda, and from stories handed down to me from my parents it was a bleak time in American history and those affected were perceived by the Californians as destitute and ignorant white trash. I have always thought that the difference between Okie and Oklahoman was that the Oklahoman's stayed here and the Okie's migrated west. Based upon my way of thinking, which has been called into question more than once, since your grandparents and parents struggled through the '20's and '30's they are full fledged Oklahomans and by heritage you are an Oklahoman as well. In theory... you do not meet the criteria to officially call yourself an Okie, but as far as I can tell you've broken no laws nor violated any moral and/or ethical standard.) Again, what you call your web site isn't any of my business, and regardless of what you call it I enjoy it as do many, many others. It is a great web site full of interesting information, keep it up." -- Marv   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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