Life in Oklahoma City by Ralph EllisonAuthor Ralph Ellison is a renowned writer and scholar with important nonfiction stories credited to his name. He was born in Oklahoma City around 1913. His family owned a small business where his father worked as a foreman, but he soon died when he was only three years old. After several years, he later discovered that his father wanted him to one day become a poet after the great American essayist known as Ralph Waldo Emerson, who became his namesake. His mother was Ida Millsap Ellison, who was a political activist campaigning for the Socialist Party. Additionally, she was arrested several times in violation of segregation orders. At the time of Ellison's birth, life in Oklahoma City was then still considered part of the frontier. His parents were from the South and came from a lineage of slaves. When his parents married, they headed west to Oklahoma, hoping their children's lives would be better in the state. At that time, Oklahoma held the distinction and reputation of its freedom. However, it wasn't long before the prejudices of Texas and Arkansas descended on Oklahoma. When Ellisons' father died in 1917, Ida had supported Ralph and his younger brother working as domestic help at the Avery Chapel Afro. -Methodist Episcopal Church. The family moved into the rectory and Ellison was exhibited in the minister's library. Growing up, Ellison became passionate about the subject of literature, which became a way for him to grow and enjoy his studies. Additionally, her enthusiasm for reading was encouraged by her mother who brought home many books, including magazines, from houses she had cleaned. There was a time when a black Episcopal priest in Oklahoma City challenged the white custom of barring blacks from the public library. As a result, this custom was overturned. As such, it became another way for Ellison to pursue his passion for reading. Although his family was sometimes short of money, Ellison and his brother were able to study well and have a healthy childhood. Ellison grew up and developed a taste for music where he studied piano and trumpet. It was during this time that Oklahoma City was famous for several great jazz musicians..