This Land

I was twelve years old when it happened, in the 7th grade, attending Victory Christian School on 71st Street in South Tulsa. My grandfather, Oral Roberts, climbed up into a tower and began telling the world on national television that God had commanded him to bring in eight million dollars…

Wednesday, June 9, 1982

In the news in Tulsa, Oklahoma:

“Rotarians change laws to allow black members.”
“She doesn’t like going steady rules.”
“Gelatin salads add pizzazz to meal.”

This month, E.T., Poltergeist, and Blade Runner are in the theater; on Dynasty, Steven is in the hospital with…

My uncle, Ronald David Roberts, was born in 1945, the oldest son of the late televangelist, Oral Roberts, my grandfather. My Uncle Ronnie, like me, was gay. He wrote in letters, published after his death, that he “came out” in high school, but only to close friends and family, including…