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Edmon Low Library

Episode 0: Introducing Dear Oklahoma

September 27, 2018

Show Notes

In this episode, Emily and Lindsey chat with Kelly Burley from KOSU radio about the premise for the show, its mission, and the upcoming season. Emily and Lindsey explain how they ended up covering the Oklahoma Teacher’s Walkout earlier this spring and reflect on what it means to inspire the next generation of Oklahoma writers. Listeners will hear poets Clem Heard and Deborah J. Hunter discuss their favorite teachers, as well as teacher-politician John Waldron read his powerful Dear Oklahoma letter.

Show Host

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Lindsey Claire Smith and Emily Blackshear

Dr. Emily Blackshear joined the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library in September 2017. She directs the Deep Roots: Oklahoma Authors Oral History Project and serves as an interviewer for other projects including the Inductees of the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame and the Spotlighting Oklahoma series.

Dr. Lindsey Claire Smith, Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma State University, directs the Center for Poets and Writers at OSU-Tulsa. The Center is a literary arts outreach program that hosts events with diverse writers, residencies for teaching artists in schools, and writing workshops for the general public. Lindsey is a native Tulsan, a product of Tulsa Public schools, and the daughter of two TPS English teacher parents. Lindsey has extensive expertise in Native American and Indigenous studies, especially Oklahoma literature, and has authored three books and numerous other publications on writers and filmmakers of this region. She serves as Editor of American Indian Quarterly journal.



Recommended Resources

  • Oklahoma Oral History Research Program
  • Center for Poets and Writers at OSU-Tulsa
  • KOSU Coverage of Oklahoma Teacher Walkout 2018
  • State of the Reunion
  • Oklahoma Teacher Caucus