How bad is the Racism in Oklahoma? (Oklahoma City, Tulsa: travel, job)

[colleeng47]

I guess the reason I haven't encountered discrimination is because I never did apply for a non-traditional job. And I never had interest in learning how to change oil, or hammer a nail. I was, however, discouraged from going to college by my parents because they said they had to put my brother through college because he was a boy. Of course, my brother never went to college, and I was stuck in secretarial jobs until I decided to go into sales and became a top producer (in an office with many males). In sales it doesn't matter if your female or male, just how much money you're bringing in.

All the females in my family are independent and strong. My daughter, following in our family's footsteps, is looking for a career either in law enforcement or storm chasing. We are encouraging her to do whatever it is she wants to do. I personally would love to see her go to law school. My son cleans house as well as I do, and my daughter can stand up for herself with vigor

In our extended family, we have two stay at home dads, a highly trained female neonatal physician, a female judge, and two male chefs. We also have adopted and step children with many shades of skin and nationalities. Discrimination isn't something that my family is familiar with.

And I would feel very sorry for the poor soul who tried to tell my daughter that she couldn't do something or be something because she's female

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by nocoldiron

..........had been a telephone installer,a heating and air conditioning mechanic,a warehouseman, and was an ex-Marine Vietnam era.I was 6 foot tall,could bench press 200 lbs.................................. I was 36/22/36 and doing modeling before I went into the Marines (needed GI Bill for college)

I think you're hot..........

[nocoldiron]

Goodpasture,you are a hoot,beware, I became a psych nurse-the one who came down the hall with the needle and leather strapsmy nickname was Ratchett.Colleen,I know what you mean.My mother encouraged my brothers to be Dr.'s and lawyers and told me to learn how to type in case of divorce (both parents serial spouses,5x) Mama told me if you give away the milk,no one will buy the cow,I told Mama-if you keep bringing home the bull,you will keep cleaning up the bulls*#t.Back to racism,I remember in the 70's a whole bunch of white people trying to be Indians and annoying the heck out of the Indians.My constant companion in high school in OKC was a Cherokee named Comingdeer,also known as Humpingfawn by his friends.I am sorry but there always seems to be a changing foodchain.I remember when nerds where at the bottom of it before they became millionaires I do wish we could learn how to play nice together but I don't see it happening as long as I have murderous desire to snuggee any kid related to me (and a few who aren't) whose pants crotch is at his ankles.I am afraid of what they will think up next.Am thinking up something special for Redbird,shh,keep it a secret....

[redbird4848]

Nocoldiron, you are my kind of gal. My companion is a retired RN. He became an RN way back in the early 50's when there were no male nurses. He remembers the days when starched uniforms were the norm. I bet you two could trade a few stories.

I don't talk about racism, because its not a subject I relish, and like another poster said, I don't want to generalize the state by the actions of a few. But when I was a lad, my family moved back and forth from OK to CA.
I used to say "It was in SW Oklahoma in the 60's that I learned to hate the white man." I don't say that anymore. But it was brutal back then.

And I am sure the prejudice was on both sides of the fence. Even recently my folks do not shop in their small town. As a child, I never could understand how those white people could wear a suit and tie to church one day could be so cold blooded to me the next day.

My family helped break down that barrier that first year. We each made close friends who were white. It was a start. The racism was so ingrained in people's heads, even childrens minds, it was a difficult to comprehend by todays standards. I shudder when I think of those days.

Don't get me wrong, not all the kids were racist, but for the most part there was a great wall between the two races.

I went back as an adult here in 98 and conducted business in town. I wanted to go back as an adult, nay HAD TO GO BACK, and see what the vibes were like. For the most part, it has drastically changed for the better. On both sides.
My folks attended a mixed race church in the past few years, which believe it or not, was taboo in the old days. I mean my god, how stupid is that?

Racism is still there. I worked in Elk City in 99 and there was an older white lady who was very hateful. A co-worker told me she said if she had any Indian blood in her she would cut her arm and let it bleed out. I said tell her I will loan her a dull knife!

Sorry for the long winded response. I see the OP hasn't been back. Once again, we take a thread and wind it around and round and the OP never returns.

[flintysooner]

I was 6 foot tall,could bench press 200 lbs.

Both things I would like and neither within reach.

[colleeng47]

Redbird, I'm sorry to hear all that you and your family went through. No matter how long I live (and I've clocked a few years, lol), I'll never understand how someone could dislike another person simply because of their skin color. That is so insignificant in the realm of character. I thank God that the world is different now. At least on the surface, anyway.

[peggydavis]

When I first came to OKC back in the late 50's, I was so shocked to the a restroom marked "white women." I remember the sit-ins, and when Wedgewood closed for the summer so as not to admit blacks. I am proud of one thing, we did integrate without any fire hoses, police dogs, riots, or beatings on bridges like other places. Things have improved so much since then, but we still can improve more.

I also remember working at an insurance company as a clerk in the claims department. I asked if I could be promoted to adjuster, and they laughed in my face, and joked about it for days. They thought that was a hoot, that a woman could think of having a "man's" job.

[colleeng47]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

When I first came to OKC back in the late 50's, I was so shocked to the a restroom marked "white women." I remember the sit-ins, and when Wedgewood closed for the summer so as not to admit blacks. I am proud of one thing, we did integrate without any fire hoses, police dogs, riots, or beatings on bridges like other places. Things have improved so much since then, but we still can improve more.

I also remember working at an insurance company as a clerk in the claims department. I asked if I could be promoted to adjuster, and they laughed in my face, and joked about it for days. They thought that was a hoot, that a woman could think of having a "man's" job.

I remember when the want ads in the newspaper were listed as "help wanted, male" and "help wanted female."

[nocoldiron]

The only thing I have found that is effective to deal with racism or discrimination is to deny them an audience.My Archie Bunker better half knows I will just leave him in midsentence if he starts spouting s*#t.Wouldn't bother me a bit to pick up my plate and silverware and find a new table in a restraunt.I won't stand around and be a silent condoner.I think technology is going to destroy a lot of bad behaviour-nowadays just flip open a cell phone and yell "Get a picture of their faces and license plates" real loud,if they feel guilty,they will run . Flintysooner,my George is 5'8" if he stands up real straight and is now up to a whopping 135 lbs-he thought I would discriminate against little guys,instead of my preference for them.I'm the shortest of my 7 brothers and sisters, it always seemed like incest if they where taller than me.I've been 6' since 6th grade.One of my childhood hero's was the 5'6" neighbor kid who could kick my brothers behind badly.

[techienomad]

You know what's a more prevalent discrimination these days, the widening gap between rich people and common folks.