Is Oklahoma Culturally Southern?

Often, people wonder if Oklahoma's unique culture is more aligned with the Southern United States or other regional influences.

Unique Cultural Background

Oklahoma, despite its southern border, has a culture shaped by Indian, cowboy, oil, and hard work influences. Despite its southern proximity, it is known to have its own distinct identity, with no single county supporting Kamala Harris in recent elections. This suggests a level of self-reliance and independence among Oklahomans.

Diverse Cultural Influences

The combination of the South and the Great Plains, as well as Western influences, makes Oklahoma a melting pot of cultures. People from all over the country, including California, the Midwest, Ohio, New York, and Florida, have settled in Oklahoma. Additionally, its geographical and cultural diversity means that it is not strictly Southern and not entirely Western. My experience living in Oklahoma and visiting the South, as well as the Gulf Coast, reveals a unique blend rather than a singular cultural identity.

Pioneer Background and Cultural Identity

The majority of pioneers who settled Oklahoma, or those from 'evil white men' as some may perceive, came from Arkansas or Texas, Southern states. Similarly, many Native Indian Nations supported the Confederacy and believed in retaining State Rights, which aligns with the Southern tradition of prioritizing state power.

Cultural Geography and Diversity

Geographically, a significant portion of Oklahoma is part of the Great Plains, leading to an agricultural and cowboy culture similar to states like Kansas and Nebraska. This has influenced the cultural practices and values of Oklahoma. However, it also has cultural influences from the Midwest, making it a unique blend.

Personal Reflection

I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and currently live there. My experience living in both the South, specifically in Oxford, Mississippi, during my college years, and the journey between the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Oklahoma in 1962, provided a comparative perspective. While there was a cultural difference between Mississippi and Oklahoma in the past, both places shared a laid-back, easy-going attitude. However, their differences in cultural practices and values made Oklahoma feel more like a cowboy-farming, oil-producing state compared to the New England region of the United States.

Despite its unique blend of cultures, Oklahoma has managed to carve out its own distinct identity, allowing individuals from various backgrounds to call it home and contribute to its rich tapestry of traditions and practices.