Oklahoma rapper thanks Kevin Durant for his impact on the state

This is a guest column by Oklahoma-based artist Fedel.

I moved from Memphis, Tennessee to Oklahoma after my parents split. I was a quick tempered teen involved in gangs who had recently lost a friend to gun violence. I moved from that environment to a city that fought for reasons I wasn’t used to — like sports and which school you attended.

One fall night, I watched a high school state championship game sell out a college football stadium. That was the day I realized Oklahomans loves their sports. I will never forget being at parties where police were called because players from two rival high school football teams were there.

This was new for me, but I soon realized I was in a different world.

Oklahoma is a very family driven community, and many families tell their kids from birth that they are going to be an Oklahoma Sooner or an Oklahoma State Cowboy. At the core, this state is split between teams: red and white vs. orange and black. Wear the wrong color, and you may get into an intense conversation or even a vandalized car.

Then, one day several years ago, a rumor gave way to reality.

The NBA gave Oklahoma a team with a legitimate superstar in Kevin Durant! It was a miracle! Given that Oklahoma is considered in the Bible belt for its many churches, I was sure a prayer team somewhere was taking credit for this.

Kevin Durant was special. Not only was he an amazing talent, but his humble demeanor was also quickly embraced by Oklahoma, which heavily impacted the state.

Many outsiders are unaware that Oklahoma had one of the worst race riots ever in 1921. This event is rarely mentioned, but today you can feel an unspoken tension that sits over the state. So when I think back to the first time the Thunder went to the playoffs in 2010, and I had random people (black and white) initiate conversations with me in Walmart asking, “Do you think Durant can get us one?” — that had never happened to me before, and I loved it.

I’m black, my wife is white and we have two wonderful kids, so it is important to us that our kids see all races in leadership. Durant was a unifying leader for all communities across the state — black, white, rich and poor — he represented us all, and we rallied alongside him at every single game.

However, his leadership went beyond the court. I will never forget the picture of Durant walking through the rubble after Moore, Oklahoma was hit with a devastating tornado, and then him donating a large sum to help the community. Or a story I heard about a local organization that helps underprivileged kids going to a Thunder game and Durant going out his way to meet them.

Durant was more than a player to Thunder fans. He became part of the family, and you wanted your kids to be like him. The Thunder did what nobody thought was possible — put every person in Oklahoma behind one cause.

But unity is always tested, and yesterday, July 4, 2016, we faced that test. Durant announced he is leaving us to go to the team that broke every one of our hearts less than a month ago, the Golden State Warriors. This wound is fresh on Oklahoma City fans minds and it will take time to heal. I have already seen the jersey and shoe-burning parties, and I expect to see more.

Though I’m disappointed, my gratitude for Durant will never change. Being a black man in Oklahoma, I feel firsthand the struggle we face with very few minorities visible in leadership.

I told my six-year-old daughter that Durant was leaving the Thunder, and her first response was, “Will he come back?” It was tough to explain, but it was a chance to talk with her about leadership and following her dreams.

I’m so grateful for the stewardship of the position that Durant was given. Not only did he help the economy, but he also helped us all take steps toward racial unity.

Bye and thanks KD.

Photos courtesy of Erik Drost.

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