Inspired by this print I saw at the Oklahoma History Center last Saturday ...


... I've started a series of posts on "Deep Second", now called "Deep Deuce".

The 1st article is called, "Deep Deuce: A White Man's Pause" and, other than the above pic, it contains none. It is basically a reflection upon/about why such a place as "Deep Deuce" existed in the 1st place, and it is not a pretty story. Read it if you want: Doug Dawgz Blog: Deep Deuce Prologue

A snippet:

This vibrant image resonates vitality and inspires a pride in Oklahoma City of "Deep Second", later to be called, "Deep Deuce", the principal commercial and entertainment area for the Black population of Oklahoma City in a much earlier day. The area was the venue for much Oklahoma City Black heritage as well as for the contributions of many members of the Black community to our city's richness.

Lately, most if not all non-Black Oklahoma Citians have come to take pride in this all but vanished historic part of Oklahoma City history as they continue to shear themselves of their past racial prejudices ... pride in the likes of Black jazz musicians like Charlie Christian and Jimmy Rushing, the internationally renowned author Ralph Ellison, and many others.

I do feel such a pride ... but after researching this post, other considerations give me pause as to whether I have a "right" to claim a share in the pride.
***
While experiencing a walk through the history of this area, it is right to remember why the area existed in the first place - Blacks had no place else to go.
The next article will reflect upon the positive contributions of Black Oklahoma Citians during the era of "Deep Deuce."