Iwas raised in a family weaned on a simple premise of making life less difficult for one another. It’s why I cheer for the underdog, detest disparaging people and offer a helping hand wherever I’m able. That conviction has been my north star, reminding me to do the right thing even when I feel like throwing a flame at the world.

Never has that conviction been stronger than in the last four years since I became opinion editor at The Oklahoman. This state that I love has far too many poor life outcomes and not enough courage among those who represent us to fully address them. We're ranked among the worst 10 in the nation for quality of life. Education, the ladder from poverty to success, has fallen victim to culture wars and the political ambitions of its steward. Meanwhile, bigotry is ramp

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