Autobiographical influence of race in my community

Race in Lawton, Oklahoma

The Influence of Race in Lawton, Oklahoma: Introduction

The city of Lawton, in Oklahoma, is an amazingly diverse place to live. There is a great variety of people that represent the greater diversity in the United States as a country. As such, I like to think of the city as a prototype representing the way in which the United States aims to interact and live together. Lawton is a city where every person has an equal opportunity to make the most of themselves, to pursue their hobbies and work aspirations, to live in comfortable conditions and to be healthy and happy. The city government strives to provide these rights to the best of its ability, and has succeeded remarkably in doing so.

Specifically, Lawton features a White population that is 61% of the total, a Black population of 23%, and a Mexican population of 9.4%. The rest of the population is made up of populations such as Native Americans, Asians, and Hawaiian Island natives (City of Lawton, 2007, Profile). I am part White and part Mexican. In this capacity, I like to be aware of both my heritages and therefore engage in activities that cater for both. Being part of two population groups, I feel, places me in a privileged position - I feel myself wholly part of either group when I interact with them. Having grown up in Lawton, I have a close circle of friends, from whom I have never experienced any racism, as they are themselves a very diverse group of people.

In general the Lawton population is also free from racism. The only cases of racism I have ever experienced was from strangers, who do not know me for anything other than my appearance. Luckily in our city, such instances are few and far between. Indeed, I think in the whole of the United States, racial attitudes and racism are changing for the better. People are realizing that we all have the same basic hopes, dreams and needs. This mindset comes all the more easily when, like me, a person grows up with a widely diverse set of friends. Because Lawton schools are open to all races, children grow up and learn not to judge from a very early age. Teachers are also very diverse, as all job opportunities in the city are open to all who wish to apply (City of Lawton, 2007). Equal opportunities are also available in other public sectors such as the firefighting profession, the police, the government, and so on. School children are well prepared for this job market by an environment that teaches them tolerance and understanding.

II. Race and the History of Lawton

In terms of diversity and also prosperity, Lawton has a very interesting history. Lawton was founded fairly recently in comparison with the rest of the United States, on August 6, 1901. The Indian lands - the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache reservation was opened for settlement in this year. It was a much-sought after place to live and registration was required. The current diversity is accounted for by the fact that people from the whole country made the journey to register for residence in Oklahoma. In the city itself, lots were sold at a public auction (City of Lawton, 2007, History).

Another interesting fact is that there was no initial municipal government, as the town's origin was extremely sudden and unplanned. Instead, the Comanche county government was appointed by the governor of the Oklahoma Territory to rule over the town. It was only in October of that year that Lawton city formed its own government. Perhaps this testifies to the fact that the people of Lawton had a "live and let live" mentality from the beginning. They were more concerned in working out their lives and business for themselves than in gaining political power or fighting for a cause.

This had its consequences in terms of living conditions; without a municipal government, people lived in tents for months while establishing their businesses and homes, with a lack of sanitation and clean water resources. While there were initial difficulties with started and faded hopes for wealth and prosperity, Lawton is now a thriving city, which can be said to be truly representative of American diversity and prosperity. In fact, Lawton and Fort Sill in cooperation is currently on of the best military communities in the United States (City of Lawton, 2007, History).

III. Equality in the Law and in the Community

According to the Lawton city policy, all citizens in the city's community are equal in all areas of life. This includes accommodation, which includes purchasing, renting, leasing or occupation; public accommodation; the job market; and the social and economic activities within the city. The policy states that this is to be allowed without regard to race, creed, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex or disability. These conditions are also not to hinder anyone, according to the policy, from reaching their full potential among their fellow human beings (City of Lawton, 2007, Policy).

The promise of the Constitution is therefore echoed in the policy of the city. As such, the government fully supports every effort by all members of the community to further themselves, celebrate their culture, and live within the community in a peaceful manner. Being provided for in this manner, the Lawton community also supports its citizens in their effort to strive for and live in equality. This benefits the whole community.

Lawton has also received some media attention in terms of prestigious efforts by community members. A story of particular interest to me because of my Mexican heritage is the one of Isidra Chavez, a Lawton citizen who was reported to receive the Community Service Award from Governor Brad Henry on 29 November, 2006 (Lee, 2006). This award focuses on individual contributions to the arts in Oklahoma communities.

According to the report, Chavez contribution relates to the cultural diversity of Lawton by promoting the artistic beauty of Mexican folk dancing. This is something that she has done since 1976, when she began the Mexican Folkloric Dancers of Lawton. Their first performance occurred at Ft. Sill during the Hispanic Month, and has grown from strength to strength since then. Currently, Ms. Chavez's group include not only Mexican and Hispanic children, but all ages and cultural backgrounds are welcome. The only requirement is a willingness to learn and honor the beauty of the Mexican culture.

Ms. Chavez's group gives performances in community organizations throughout the southwest. Costumes are sewn by volunteers. The main aim of the group, for which Ms. Chavez also received her award, is to promote not only interest in and the beauty of the Mexican culture, but also more generally to promote a positive outlook and the joy of movement (Lee, 2006).

Chavez became an American citizen in 1967. Since this time, she never stopped her work and contributions, and was provided with a grant from the City of Lawton Arts and Humanities Department. This testifies to the city's commitment to cultural diversity and its promotion of cultural diversity in the community. She has even received the Papal Holy Cross from the Pope for her outstanding service and leadership.

The Oklahoma Arts Council was responsible for the most recent award ceremony mentioned above, in which Chavez was honored for her efforts. As such, the Council seeks to help those like Ms. Chavez, as its mission is, concomitantly with hers, to promote a thriving arts environment (Lee, 2006). The arts, when sustained, contributes to community health by providing an essential component to the quality of life, education and the economy for all the citizens of Oklahoma in general and Lawton in particular.

Stories like the one above are particularly inspiring to me, as half of my heritage is Mexican. By learning more about this part of my culture, I am more in touch with my roots, my parents and my grandparents. I also become more aware of the beauty that I have within myself. The story is further inspiring to me, because I identify with Ms. Chavez as a result of her Mexican origin. Obviously she has come to America in pursuit of a dream. She has fulfilled her American dream many times over. I can only hope to do the same with my life.