“The Oklahoma Standard”

by Troy Stevenson
Freedom Oklahoma Columnist

April 19, 1995 – a date that is not just significant to Oklahoma City but is infamous throughout the region, the nation, and the world. At 9:03 in the morning on that day – 20 years ago – an entire generation lost their innocence, and the world witnessed firsthand the resilience that is the spirit of Oklahoma.

In the aftermath of what was - at the time - the worst terrorist attack on American soil, Oklahomans stood in solidarity and refused to let the forces of bigotry and hate define us. In an instant we lost 168 innocent souls, some yet to have even reached their first birthday. In the days and weeks that followed no one asked if they were black or white, gay or straight, Christian or Muslim. All that mattered was that they were our sisters and brothers. They were our fellow Oklahomans, and we all felt their loss right down to the deepest recesses of our souls. The collective response will forever be known as “The Oklahoma Standard,” a measuring stick by which every community is held in the wake of crisis or natural disaster.

For Oklahomans like me who were teenagers at the time, our youth ended in that moment. In many ways, we understood true evil for the first time, and yet we also saw our parents and our leaders step up and model absolute courage and perseverance in the face of devastating tragedy. This is the Oklahoma that I remember, and it is why I believe that our fellows Oklahomans are a good and fair-minded people, capable of the greatest depths of love and compassion. This is why I refuse to believe the stereotypes of hate and small mindedness that are so often hoisted upon our state in the current debate over civil rights.

Yes, there is a very vocal segment of our society that has garnered the label of bigot, but I would contend that they are a minority and that there is a plethora of evidence to prove that. Many would point to the racist chant that made national news after fraternity members at our flagship university were exposed for their hate.

However, I contend that the reaction from everyday Oklahomans exemplified the true spirit of Oklahoma in near universal outrage. Others would point to the eighteen anti-LGBT bills filed in this session - after the freedom to marry came to our home. But once again, I would point to the massive disdain that this hate filled agenda was met with, and the bipartisan effort by our lawmakers to squash it in its tracks.

I refuse to give up hope that we are on the precipice of great progress in the realm of equality, right here in the community that we call home. And I truly believe that while we have a long way to go, Oklahomans will always be on the right side of history, sooner rather than later. For that is the Oklahoma standard!

The Gayly – May 8, 2015 @ 7am.