Oklahoma City's Ray Ackerman inspired 'outsiders'

The crowd, which included former Gov. George Nigh and U.S. Rep. James Lankford, was reminded about Ackerman, the father and husband; Ackerman the proud Navy veteran and rear admiral; Ackerman the advertising executive; Ackerman the Rotarian; and of course, Ackerman, the tireless advocate of the Oklahoma River.

There were hints, as well, about Ackerman the outsider.

Historically, Oklahoma City has long proven to be fertile ground for an outsider wishing to get a new start. After all, wasn't it 10,000 outsiders who created the city overnight with a single gunshot fired on April 22, 1889?

It's not uncommon to hear an ambitious young newcomer marvel at how easy it is to get involved in Oklahoma City's ongoing revival while also grumbling about some of our city's quirks.

Such frustration is understandable. I still remember the culture shock I experienced when I moved to Oklahoma City from New York as a kid with my family in 1977. My mother, who still carries a hint of her old New York accent, still marvels at various quirks in Oklahoma culture. Just the other day she noted state lawmakers don't trust Oklahomans to buy strong beer in grocery stores but do trust residents to openly carry firearms.

Yep, that's Oklahoma.

The legend of Ray Ackerman is a reminder to everybody that an outsider not only can join the discussion of such quirks — they can effect change, as well.

Ackerman, who grew up in Pittsburgh, moved to Oklahoma City and lamented the dry river bed that for decades was known as the North Canadian River. Long story made short (many of you have heard it anyway): Ackerman successfully lobbied to restore the river as a true waterway and then, in his 80s, outmaneuvered politicians in getting the seven-mile section that runs through the urban core renamed the Oklahoma River.