The Oklahoma Bar Journal May 2026

SUCCESSES OF FREEDOM: A COMPARISON OF THE AMERICAN AND HAITIAN REVOLUTIONS The American Revolution and Haitian Revolution both emerged from Enlightenment ideals and chal lenged imperial rule. Yet they pursued fundamen tally different visions of equality and law for their citizens. This paper will compare the success of the American Revolution in establishing durable demo cratic institutions, but it continued to also preserve deep social inequalities. But, on the other hand, the Haitian Revolution achieved a far more radical transformation by abolishing slavery and redefining universal human rights. Together, these revolutions reveal contrasting paths toward liberty and the com plex legacies of revolutionary change. Read the full essay at www.okbar.org/lawday. 5

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OKLAHOMA STATEHOOD AND AMERICAN DREAM: BROUGHT TOGETHER OR FORCED APART?

November 16, 1907, Oklahoma officially became the 46th state of the United States of America. Many groups of people were forced to live under one set of laws, but did everyone agree? Were they able to achieve the American Dream? Unfortunately, the first law passed after Oklahoma became a state involved segregation. The bill was known as the coach bill, and it man dated that all public transportation must provide and enforce separate coaches and waiting rooms for black and white patrons. This forced citizens apart rather than together. Read the full essay at www.okbar.org/lawday.

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FREEDOM WRITTEN IN FIRE August 1793 – Saint-Domingue

I do not know if what I am writing is dangerous, but everything feels dangerous now. For as long as I can remember, the law told me I was not a person. It told me I could be owned, traded, punished, erased. I learned early that survival meant silence. Now the law is changing, and silence feels just as terrifying as speaking. Read the full essay at www.okbar.org/lawday.

My homemade Choctaw flute represents both the rule of law and the American dream because it shows how structure and opportunity create harmony. ... When I play it, I’m reminded that the American dream is about finding my voice, honoring where I come from, and using opportunity to create something beautiful for the future. 8

To see the complete list of winning entries, please visit www.okbar.org/lawday .

5. Stephen L. Hall First Place

6. Brekken Youngberg Second Place 10th Grade Writing Vanguard Academy, Broken Arrow

7. Serenity Duvall First Place 9th Grade Writing Spiro High School, Spiro

8. Aliyah Browning First Place 9th Grade Art Idabel High School, Idabel

10th Grade Writing Classen SAS High School at Northeast, Oklahoma City

52 | MAY 2026

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL