Texas

[mellowtigger]

Surprise, surprise. Some more crazy folk down in Texas are making headlines. Granted, this group is imported rather than native, but it is still reminiscent of the Branch Davidians and other less well known groups. I suppose I could take this opportunity to explain something...

There is an undercurrent to thoughts of people raised in Texas that I don't see in more recent transplants. The only single word I can think of that comes closest to describing it is "nationalism". I haven't seen this sentiment in natives of any other state either. (The closest, though, is neighboring state Louisiana.) Unlike most states, you see, Texas really was its own sovereign nation. And, as every kid knows who's gone to the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park (all 6 flags wave at the entrance to the park), it's been subject to 5 other national flags besides its own.  7th grade history class is even limited solely to state history, not national or world history.

I consider myself Texan first and American second. It's why, back during the 2000 Census, I marked my "race" as "other:" and wrote in Texan. Other states just don't have this kind of thinking amongst their citizens. So whenever I saw tv newscasters talking about those crazy folk who want to secede, I just assumed that the newscasters were themselves imported Texans and so didn't "get it" that even the locals who want to remain a state can still understand the secessionist concept.

It's not the same thing as the southern Dixie mindset, trying to relive a moment of past glory (and exploitation).  It's more like a notion amongst European nations, that "we've lived through crap, and we can stand on our own feet if we need to, thank you very much, so get your act together or we will do it on our own".  Texas has its share of problems (water consumption, civil liberties, religious rhetoric, language barriers, etc), but I don't consider these secessionist ideas to be among them.

Comments

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Heh... you might want to read Ecotopia and the prequel Ecotopia Emerging by Ernest Callenbach. Joel Garreau's Nine Nations of North America is a valuable read too.

I've noticed a certain (to me, inexplicable) attitude of superiority from some Texans; that doesn't really exist amongst the surprisingly large number of people who think the Pacific Northwest (in various configurations) would be better off on its own.

Nah

[arkanjil.livejournal.com]

these were Mormons before they were ever Texans- The Latter Day Saints have this neat trick of direct revelation from God, such that if you don't like how the current church leader says you can't bugger your 14 year old niece, you can declare yourself President, and then ask God yourself if it's ok.

Usually, for that sort, the answer is yes.

Cults like this are as common as tumbleweeds out in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona, usually no one bothers them unless some unlucky lass escapes and starts blabbing. I remember reading a piece about these particular clowns a while back, saying it was coming to a head with the law 'soon'...

As for Texans in general, They do indeed have a certain mindset that is different than most any other place you may go. I think it might be something in the water, really.

[kauko.livejournal.com]

My 8th grade history class was devoted solely to North Carolina history, I assumed all states do the same :P

I dunno about other states, but this Northern Californian has it, too.

[bigsockgrrl.livejournal.com]

I am a Northern Californian first and an American second. And there is no other place better. We'll be a lot better off if/when we succeed. Maybe we'll take the rest of the Pacific Northwest with us if they're good. ;)