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Setting the record straight on Texas Setting the record straight on Texas
(3 months later)
Texas state senator Wendy Davis' near-11-hour filibuster of a bill that would have led to the closure of nearly all of the state's abortion clinics has catapulted the "Lone Star" state into the headlines. And with the rest of the country now analyzing Texans based largely on their views on abortion – and lately also, on their views on gun control – now seems like a good time to clarify some of the most common misconceptions about Texas and Texans.Texas state senator Wendy Davis' near-11-hour filibuster of a bill that would have led to the closure of nearly all of the state's abortion clinics has catapulted the "Lone Star" state into the headlines. And with the rest of the country now analyzing Texans based largely on their views on abortion – and lately also, on their views on gun control – now seems like a good time to clarify some of the most common misconceptions about Texas and Texans.
As a born-and-bred Texan, who lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area almost my whole life, I am stepping up to do the job – albeit I have never owned a gun, invested in oil or fully embraced football. But after moving to New York City last year, I see the need to set folk straight about my state.As a born-and-bred Texan, who lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area almost my whole life, I am stepping up to do the job – albeit I have never owned a gun, invested in oil or fully embraced football. But after moving to New York City last year, I see the need to set folk straight about my state.
1. The state motto is: don't mess with Texas1. The state motto is: don't mess with Texas
False. That's the anti-highway litter campaign promoted by Texas Department of Transportation. The motto is "friendship", which I didn't know – until today. And I lived there – for nearly three decades.False. That's the anti-highway litter campaign promoted by Texas Department of Transportation. The motto is "friendship", which I didn't know – until today. And I lived there – for nearly three decades.
2. All Texans wear cowboy hats and western boots. Many still ride horses2. All Texans wear cowboy hats and western boots. Many still ride horses
False. Yes, of course small-town ranchers are rarely seen without their hand-woven straw cowboy hats and way-too-tight Wrangler jeans, but we city folk wear business suits and carry briefcases and drive motorized vehicles – so what if those vehicles are Ford F-150s, Chevy Silverados or Dodge Rams. Our cops, however, have been known to patrol the streets on horseback. Don't ask me what kind of criminals they're hoping to catch that way. Bandits? That said, I once heard of someone who was pulled over in his vehicle by a mounted cop. I'm not sure there's anything more terrifying than seeing a horse chase down a car.False. Yes, of course small-town ranchers are rarely seen without their hand-woven straw cowboy hats and way-too-tight Wrangler jeans, but we city folk wear business suits and carry briefcases and drive motorized vehicles – so what if those vehicles are Ford F-150s, Chevy Silverados or Dodge Rams. Our cops, however, have been known to patrol the streets on horseback. Don't ask me what kind of criminals they're hoping to catch that way. Bandits? That said, I once heard of someone who was pulled over in his vehicle by a mounted cop. I'm not sure there's anything more terrifying than seeing a horse chase down a car.
3. High school football is a religion3. High school football is a religion
True. So is college football. And the NFL. Sometimes, uh many times, churches have let out early on Sundays so families can prepare the barbecue and secure a spot in front of the flat screen to watch the Dallas Cowboys make us proud. Also, we do pray before games – both the boys on the field and the fans watching from home. Don't ever tell a Texan that the Lord doesn't enjoy a good touchdown.True. So is college football. And the NFL. Sometimes, uh many times, churches have let out early on Sundays so families can prepare the barbecue and secure a spot in front of the flat screen to watch the Dallas Cowboys make us proud. Also, we do pray before games – both the boys on the field and the fans watching from home. Don't ever tell a Texan that the Lord doesn't enjoy a good touchdown.
4. Everything is bigger in Texas4. Everything is bigger in Texas
True. The vehicles are bigger, though, not always big enough: it's not uncommon to see a souped-up pickup with monster-truck tires, or a Cadillac or Lincoln Town Car that, thanks to a lift kit, appears several feet taller. Also, the food is bigger – ever heard of the Big Texan's 72oz steak? If you finish it without blocking an artery, it's free. And finally, the land is bigger – or there's just more of it: apartments (and houses) are big enough to make a native New Yorker weep.True. The vehicles are bigger, though, not always big enough: it's not uncommon to see a souped-up pickup with monster-truck tires, or a Cadillac or Lincoln Town Car that, thanks to a lift kit, appears several feet taller. Also, the food is bigger – ever heard of the Big Texan's 72oz steak? If you finish it without blocking an artery, it's free. And finally, the land is bigger – or there's just more of it: apartments (and houses) are big enough to make a native New Yorker weep.
5. Everyone is related to an oil tycoon5. Everyone is related to an oil tycoon
Sadly, false. In fact, I've never personally met one.Sadly, false. In fact, I've never personally met one.
6. Everyone says "y'all", "fixin' to" and "oh, nuttin' much"6. Everyone says "y'all", "fixin' to" and "oh, nuttin' much"
Sadly, true. I can't defend it. All I can say is, not everyone delivers these phrases with the satirized drawl.Sadly, true. I can't defend it. All I can say is, not everyone delivers these phrases with the satirized drawl.
7. Blue Bonnets are the state flower, and people are obsessed with them7. Blue Bonnets are the state flower, and people are obsessed with them
True. Every spring, parents plant their dolled-up (and often squalling) toddlers in the sparse patches of fire ant-infested Blue Bonnets that grow along the side of the busiest Texas highways and snap a photo. Also, it's illegal to pick them, which no one really understands – or abides by.True. Every spring, parents plant their dolled-up (and often squalling) toddlers in the sparse patches of fire ant-infested Blue Bonnets that grow along the side of the busiest Texas highways and snap a photo. Also, it's illegal to pick them, which no one really understands – or abides by.
8. All Texans own guns, have rifle racks installed on their pickups and shoot for sport8. All Texans own guns, have rifle racks installed on their pickups and shoot for sport
False. Not "all" Texans, but many do own guns and most have at least shot one. The issues of gun rights/control vary greatly depending on the person – and the town. More liberal cities such as Austin would shudder at the opinions of small-town Texas, where most people grow up with guns,. For the most part, these are used strictly to hunt the next day's dinner. For many Texans, hunting is as natural as fishing.False. Not "all" Texans, but many do own guns and most have at least shot one. The issues of gun rights/control vary greatly depending on the person – and the town. More liberal cities such as Austin would shudder at the opinions of small-town Texas, where most people grow up with guns,. For the most part, these are used strictly to hunt the next day's dinner. For many Texans, hunting is as natural as fishing.
9. Tex-Mex is a thing9. Tex-Mex is a thing
True. Technically, it's any version of Mexican food as long as it's accompanied by queso – a delicious mixture of Velveeta cheese and Rotel. There's nothing better – except Texas barbecue.True. Technically, it's any version of Mexican food as long as it's accompanied by queso – a delicious mixture of Velveeta cheese and Rotel. There's nothing better – except Texas barbecue.
10. All Texans are George W Bush lovers10. All Texans are George W Bush lovers
False. But I will say most are intrigued by him. Even I may have driven through his affluent neighborhood in Dallas, trying to get a glimpse of his house. Innocent curiosity. And I once thought I saw him driving a pickup through a Sonic drive-thru and got surprisingly excited.False. But I will say most are intrigued by him. Even I may have driven through his affluent neighborhood in Dallas, trying to get a glimpse of his house. Innocent curiosity. And I once thought I saw him driving a pickup through a Sonic drive-thru and got surprisingly excited.
Texans may get a bad rap, sometimes stereotyped as gun-toting, home-schooled Bible-thumpers, but the truth is Texas is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse states in the union. Immigration issues aside, about 9.5 million people, or 38% of the state's population, are of Hispanic or Latino origin. A large number of Texans are evangelical Christians; and some are atheists. More than half are women, 80% are high school graduates and 1.6 million are veterans of the US military.Texans may get a bad rap, sometimes stereotyped as gun-toting, home-schooled Bible-thumpers, but the truth is Texas is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse states in the union. Immigration issues aside, about 9.5 million people, or 38% of the state's population, are of Hispanic or Latino origin. A large number of Texans are evangelical Christians; and some are atheists. More than half are women, 80% are high school graduates and 1.6 million are veterans of the US military.
So, though it may be tempting, never judge a Texan by the size of his or her belt buckle.So, though it may be tempting, never judge a Texan by the size of his or her belt buckle.
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