To the People of Oklahoma: 

“AFTER an unequivocal experience of the inefficiency of the subsisting federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new Constitution for the United States of America. The subject speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences nothing less than the existence of the UNION, the safety and welfare of the parts of which it is composed, the fate of an empire in many respects the most interesting in the world. It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force. If there be any truth in the remark, the crisis at which we are arrived may with propriety be regarded as the era in which that decision is to be made; and a wrong election of the part we shall act may, in this view, deserve to be considered as the general misfortune of mankind.” - Alexander Hamilton “The Federalist Papers” 

We sit here at history’s feet, and she paves out the path again and again so patiently. 

I want to call for a focus on America’s morals, history, and reputation as they are also at stake during this administration. 

As technology comes more and more clear across the seas, other countries are constantly watching us, through their people. 

If we were playing this smartly, we would focus on what's important, through who is happy through who is full through who are active.

If we were smart, we would stop innerfighting and focus on the fact that we are ridiculed.

The American Experiment is failing. 

The only thing holding America together right now is our military, and the number one thing that kills our children is guns.  

(https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/guns-remain-leading-cause-of-death-for-children-and-teens) 

How  is that the American legacy? 

We were built on the backs of slave and immigrant labor, and that was horrendous enough, but now we continue to build jail systems right smack dab in neighborhoods with a high ethnic minority population. 

(https://www.ncsl.org/civil-and-criminal-justice/racial-and-ethnic-disparities-in-the-criminal-justice-system)

We have the fourth highest incarceration rate, which isn't surprising considering the fact that we’re also in the last five of education, with a direct link between literacy and incarceration later in life. 

(https://readingpartners.org/blog/do-prisons-use-third-grade-reading-scores-to-predict-the-number-of-prison-beds-theyll-need/) 

This is a shame to our future. 

People argue left and right about how to steer America, but no one wants to talk about how we’re all dying because of lack of healthcare inside the boat. 

(https://oklahomavoice.com/briefs/oklahoma-health-care-ranked-nearly-the-worst-in-the-nation/) 

We have time to turn America around, but it starts by paying attention to the timeline of events and facts that have happened instead of promises made. 

Growing up in Oklahoma these past few years, I learned compassion, and kindness. “God bless yous” on bad days from strangers and free eggs from neighbors. I’ve grown up in Mangum, Altus, Calera, Durant, and now I’m in Norman signed on for my Junior year at The University of Oklahoma. 

I love this place, and I hate to see that our morals have been driven so far. We’re a state of perseverance, native heritage, and scrabbling together what we have before the tornados blow it away again. 

We can be more than that. I see everyday that our community picks people back up everyday, neighbors helping each other, praying together, creating and building together. Our federal government doesn’t abide by that. It isn’t in alignment with it. 

We’re in the bottom five of education, ranked 39th in safety, and we have the sixth highest poverty level. During this, we have Ryan Walters putting politics in our public schools, and our mommas don’t deserve that kinda stress. Our teachers don’t deserve mandates or heavy restrictions on their licenses as punishment. 

The path to solving these problems lies on two roads:

The first being to stop backing federal administrations that do the people harm. Oklahoma needs to start pushing back, fighting against the censoring of the people, before the people realize that the federal government isn’t their savior. 
Everyday I speak to people that are disheartened about the path that our administration is taking. One of cowardice, and fear. Our governor threatens our protestors without trusting them to have good sense and justice. 

Our superintendent brings violent politics into our children's classrooms, pushing harsh mandates onto our teachers with harsh threats of revoking their licenses, when our school systems are already falling apart on the inside. 

This is not what Oklahoma stands for. We stand under the protection of our religions, our community involvement, and our freedom.

I see other facets of our government that are protesting with the people; as Oklahoma shows up to protest against the current president. 

8,500 to 10,000 people showed up to the No Kings protest in Oklahoma City, that should say something to our government. I was there. That protest spanned for a mile. Our elderly were in wheelchairs in the rain to protest against the man that is currently holding our presidential chair. I watched as the most conservative towns held signs calling for reform, as small towns came together even without national news sources shining a light on them. 

I learned a lot of things while researching for this essay. The thing that stood out to me the most was that the average salary of our government employees is approx a couple thousand dollars less  than the average salary of us Okies. 

(https://data.ok.gov/dataset/state-of-oklahoma-payroll-fiscal-year-2024) 

That shows me that our government isn’t doing this for fame, or money, but because they want to make a difference. 

We know that our state government is doing its best, we know that. But I also want us to take a step back and look at what they are focusing on, which isn’t us.

People all across the nation are dying, because of cut suicide line funding, because of lack of healthcare, because of fear. The Oklahoma people have been a people of kindness and peace, welcoming neighbors who didn’t look, think or act like them. 

Our fields and towns are built on the backs of immigrant labor, yet we are complying as they are getting taken out of their homes, our children's schools. Oklahoma has been built on blood and betrayal, but we can change that before it’s too late. 

Us Okies are getting restless, frustrated. Our state government and our federal government don’t currently align, and our state government is silent about it. Or, worse, when they do speak up, it’s full of promises of violence and punishment. 

This isn’t okay. 

I’m calling on my neighbors to not walk but run down the second path: of reform, redemption, reparations. 

Vote for the liberal policy, vote for expanding financial help for our neighbors who are struggling. 

Stop looking at red versus blue, and start looking at top versus bottom. 
Stop giving grants to restaurants and instead focus on feeding back into our libraries, our schools. Bring our focus back to art, and creation, and humanity. Bring our focus back to the principals in which seventy nine percent of us were raised: 

(https://uscanadainfo.com/religion-in-oklahoma/) 

Asking questions: Jesus empowered people by asking questions rather than just giving answers.

Having goals and objectives: He had clear goals and objectives.

Investing time with those who bore fruit: He spent time with people who produced results.

Confronting superficial religion and political power: He challenged shallow faith and oppressive systems.

Being motivated by compassion: His actions were driven by compassion.

Willingness to die for His purpose: He was prepared to sacrifice everything for His mission.

I urge us Okies to wake up and realize that pushing money around solves nothing. Threatening us solves nothing. 

Community involvement solves issues. Reform solves issues. Fighting back against oppressive systems solve issues. Building education instead of financial welfare solves issues. 

Oklahoma is on the wrong side of history. It’s not too late to fix this, but it starts with you. 

My call to action is this: Get involved. Pay attention. Start asking questions, stop prioritizing money over community, and speak up.