Everyone rides their own horse, nearly all of us wear a cowboy hat at all times and most importantly Texas’ whole population votes Republican.
These are just some of the generalizations I heard when I asked strangers what they thought about Texas.
“I hate Texas, you all are a red state,” one particular girl who will remain anonymous for her own sake stated absolutely. When asked why she thought this was true about the entire state she replied, “Say what you want about my state and I’ll say what I want about yours.”
Well it’s definitely not my place to restrict her right to free speech and opinion, but is it too much to ask where people get these impressions of my home state without ever visiting or doing their research?
“There are several different Texas’,” Bob Berger, Texas History teacher said. “We’re just a big state, you have everything going on in different parts.”
In the latest elections, Texas has been counted as a red state most times, but according to Berger, this is somewhat a recent development.
“Texas used to always be a democratic state. Before the 80’s we were a very blue area.” Berger said. “And in the Rio Grande Valley where I live in deep South Texas you get a very different demographic than other, larger portions of the state.”
Living in McAllen, Texas the percentage of Latinos populating the area is in the 90% range and the amount of registered democratic voters is calculated in the 80% mark.
“In the Valley and areas like Travis County where you have places like Austin you have a very liberal population,” Berger said. “In other cities like Dallas it is largely Republican, but in the end they balance each other out and offer a different perspective.”
Before moving to Texas from Florida for college at the University of Texas in Austin, Berger denied believing in the stereotypes surrounding the Lone Star State.
“My brother had a lot of friends who went to UT’s journalism school so I got to know some Texans before going there myself,” Berger explained. “Although I was a little bit disappointed when I found out the rest of Texas wasn’t like Austin after graduating.”
When asked what his favorite thing about Texas was Berger replied with an unique answer.
“I just find the geography fascinating. Forget the people, the towns, just environmentally speaking, we are one the most diverse places.” Berger said. “You can start driving on the coast and in two hours you’re in the desert, drive another two hours and you’re in the rolling hills.”
With such diversity offered in one state, a true Texan can only think, what else do you want?
“We’re in such a day and age where the Modern Texan isn’t made of the same stuff we were decades ago.” Berger said. “Sure, hicks and hillbillies exist, but to judge all of us based on just a few is unrealistic thinking and prejudice.”
