"An Oklahoma I Had Never Seen Before": Alternative Views of Oklahoma History

by Davis D. Joyce (Editor)

Contains 20 essays, some previously published, with brief introductions by editor Joyce (history, East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma). Each essay presents a dimension of Oklahoma's history looked at with new eyes or previously unexamined. Among the socialist medicine in southwestern Oklahoma, black Oklahomans, the Southern influence, abortion rights, violence and oppression of women, gay liberation. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Genres: History, American History

369 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Arrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alternative history indeed for most of the topics, but one is spot-on. That is distinguished historian Marvin Kroeker's chapter on the persecution, including torture and death, of pacifist non-resistant Mennonites during both World Wars in Oklahoma - "In Death You Shall Not Wear It Either." Despite deeply-held religious beliefs about non-resistance and military service and false promises by the US Government, many Mennonites were forced into the US Army, then when they refused to bear arms against their fellow men, sent to prison where they endured mistreatment bordering on torture (certainly would be torture by today's accepted standards) and truly deplorable living conditions. Many suffered; one result was the death of John Klaasen, an Korn OK Mennonite. In utter contempt for his devout religious beliefs regarding non-resistance and conscientious stand against military service, the US Army dressed his corpse in a military uniform before shipping it to his family. The boy's father, Rev Michael Klaasen, removed the flag from his son's coffin and the uniform from his dead son and dressed him in civilian clothes before his burial. Speaking as though his son could still hear him, his grieving father said, "In your life, you did not wear the uniform, so in death, you will not wear it either." It could well be his son did hear his father. His words still resonate today. Fearing for his life, Rev Klaasen fled with his family to Canada, where unpopular religious beliefs were and still are tolerated.

Powerful reading, and an indictment of closed minds, mean-spiritedness and religious persecution in the name of false patriotism, and still applicable today, in both Oklahoma and our nation as a whole. We have only to await the next war and re-institution of the draft to see how little things have changed. I hope I am wrong, but somehow doubt it.

[Patrick McInerney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came into this book for the wrong reasons. It's a series of essays, and my level of interest in Oklahoma history calls for a series of stories. I'll probably revisit this in a couple decades and love it.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Natasha said- you should read this despite the horrific font choice on the cover.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an Oklahoman, I enjoyed the variety of topics covered in the essays. It was fun to learn more about Oklahoma - some essays were subjects I was familiar with; others were not.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read, with a number of interesting essays. I was particularly struck by the essays on race issues, and progressive politics in the early days of the state.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays in the book are some the most thought provoking works that I have read in quite some time. I highly recommend this book for everyone, but especially those who grew up or have lived in Oklahoma!

[Melea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, challenging, and eye-opening. I learned a lot about my state, and myself while reading these essays.