I can't be part of this conversation as it has progressed. Some good ideas and motivations, but too many erroneous assumptions and will take too much precious time to address.
My feeling is that Tulsa, all four of its geographical segments, will never face its sex, class, age and race biases. They are historical, political and institutionalized. Therefore, we will always be a second city without much of a clue. That is why we have such slow growth as Artist has pointed out.
I'm sure you guys will figure it out!
I think there is a generation right now that is giving the big middle finger to that. Bike riding is more popular than ever and a good chunk of the population wants to be around a more urbanized environment or are intrigued by that. It's why I live by Hillcrest. Sure, it's a little seedy in the area, but I have access to Cherry Street, Downtown, Brady, Pearl and to an extent Brookside. By bike, foot or a very short car drive. That matters to me, even at the expense of a higher crime rate.