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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TerryMiller" data-source="post: 1379121" data-attributes="member: 7900">Please allow me to weigh in on this topic.  As for bona fides, I was raised in Cimarron County in the Panhandle, and I am 64 years old, so I am well acquainted with many of the original Okies.In spite of the Californians attempt at cutting down Okies in the '30's, I view both those that left and those that stayed as very courageous people.These were people who lived with the double whammy of depression and the dust bowl days.  Those that chose to leave and move to other states, whether California or not, did so with the full knowledge that they were moving their families with very few possessions into an area where there were no guarantees of work.  Keep in mind that those folks definitely had the work ethic.  Would many of us today have done the same?Those that chose to stay also displayed courage in deciding to stay and fight with nature and the economy, doing whatever work they could find in order to keep their families sheltered, clothed and fed.  If you've never stood and seen your land blowing away and creating "drifts" at the ends of the fields, you can't begin to understand the horror that they faced.A few of my extended family went to Oregon but most, including all of my parent's brothers and sisters stayed in Oklahoma.  At least until WWII broke out.  Then all my dad's brothers enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific.So, if you want to call me an Okie, go right ahead.  I stand with a lot of courageous fellow Okies.  As far as I'm concerned, there is no shame in the term, even if some folks try to make it so.  When they try, I just throw this same explanation to them and they become dumb-struck.Also, I welcome those wishing to come here, as long as you don't come here and try to make Oklahoma like a failed state..</blockquote>

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