Is it normal that i'm afraid to move to oklahoma for school?

I work for a big university and our forty thousand students come from 194 of the 195 world countries (we're missing someone from East Timor). Racism usually stems from fear, ignorance, or jealousy, but in the university/college environment, you meet people from more different nationalities at the same time than at any other time in your life. You absolutely need to treat people at face value and everyone has the same status: student. Because of that, people becoming more accepting.

The question you are asking is slightly different but perhaps the same principles apply.

As a sidenote, I sometimes help out at "international society" events and once shared a room with 150 people who made up 100 nationalities. It was one of the most pleasant environments I've ever been in and there was a lot of humour. Nothing has ever made me feel more like a world citizen rather than just English.

Good luck. I'm sure it'll be okay.

You can encounter racism any where. A lot of Southerners may be racists but many of them are still nice to your face. My husbands cousin has lived in Oklahoma for two years and he hasn't experienced any extreme racism. I think you'll be okay :)

Oklahomans are good people with big hearts. They do have very strong beliefs. Do not be afraid of discrimination. I'm a gay Mexican lol, Oklahoma also has mosques, Sikh temples, and people of every race creed and color. The only thing you should probably be afraid of is the weather. It's batshit insane here.

you gonna be with the Oakies

I would worry more about your parents stereotyping the things they know nothing about. I live in Southern Ok., do not ride horses nor do I wear cowboy anything, I don't have an accent (according to friends who live throughout the US), I am not a religious fanatic, I'm a Christian who has tattoos and piercings, I let people have whatever view they want religiously, and to clear up the muddy waters about racism...I hate those that won't stand up for a fellow American, America or human pollution (illegal immigration) that is occurring right now in this rapidly falling nation.

So my advice to you my dear, is to worry about the quiet ones who don't give a shit rather than the ones running their mouths. Quiet ones typically won't vote whereas the loud mouthed racist folks will at least vote for what they believe in.

I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and yeah there are racist jerks here. I get really sick of it. It's a republican state so expect it. BUT at the universities you will be around younger, more opened minded people. No reason to fear. Hopefully one day soon people will realize that if we were to take off our skin, there would be no difference.

There is always a fear of coming across a racist jerk in the south..it's pretty common. Oklahoma wasn't any worse than Texas and the universities are diverse. You could worry but don't let it keep you from your goals.

I live in Texas. (in the hill country) and my sister goes to college in Oklahoma.
It's fine trust me.

So I shouldn't worry about it at all?

I've worked in both Texas and Oklahoma...there is no difference.