Tales from the Oil Patch: Exploring the Nexus of Fossil Fuel Corporations and Oklahoman Identity

This thesis examines the nuanced relationship between the fossil fuel corporations and regional identity formation in Oklahoma, a state deeply entwined with fossil fuels yet marked by the volatility of a boom-bust economy and the looming calls for divestment. Through a comprehensive historical analysis coupled with interviews with prominent figures in Oklahoma's oil and gas industry, this study explores how Oklahoma's frontier history and the narrative of fossil fuel exceptionalism continue to influence the state's cultural and economic landscape. I highlight the nature of Oklahoman identity, which champions the benefits of oil and natural gas even as the industry's externalities wreak environmental and economic havoc upon the state. By analyzing the roles of corporate interests, governmental policy, historical identity, and modern ethos, this thesis challenges generalizing notions of one of America's oft-ignored "fly-over" states. Additionally, I explore what I term the "inverse embeddedness" of the Oklahoman economy and society. The findings of my research suggest that identity in extraction-based states like Oklahoma is not only a reflection of past and present economic conditions but also a product of the pervasive and coercive influence of corporate interests on daily life and cultural values. I hope to contribute to the current understanding of the socioeconomic dimensions of the fossil fuel industry on regional identity formation and offer insights into the broader implications of corporate activities in state identities. I argue that attempts to sway Oklahomans towards divestment and sustainable energy without taking into account the nuances of Oklahoma as a corporate artifact can only alienate Oklahomans from green movements and risk the sustainability of our shared futures.