What we are about

Contrary to accepted opinion and current appearances, Oklahoma has a proud history of agrarian people’s movements inspired by popular radical ideals. Imbedded in these movements of only 100 years ago were the noble goals of economic justice, cooperative governance, racial and gender equality, and the freedom and responsibilities of the individual in community with others. The ideas and arguments presented by the people at the heart of the activity greatly influenced the founding of a new state, and provided a progressive standard heralded in the national public discussion of the time. For over a decade, the activism of a dedicated group boldly kept the concerns of the common people - across race lines and in the face of class lines - on the minds and hearts of Oklahomans.

Because of the political prejudice generated against “the left” in the World War I era, these honest voices were shamed, threatened, and silenced. In the years since, they have been forgotten. The wisdom of their ideas and the lessons of their experience have been lost as a result.

In honor of this people’s history, The Oklahoma Revelator exists: To give voice to those Oklahomans who more often go unheard, both of the past and in the present, with faith that in these voices is needed wisdom, and with the belief that Oklahoma, Oklahomans, and others will benefit from access to them.