I pledge to the Texas Flag.... (Houston, Dallas: transplants, middle school, live in)

[bluelion_ms3]

i don't remember saying a pledge to Texas when i was in school.....but i also wouldn't have a problem with my kids saying a pledge to Texas AND United States, nor would i think it's ridiculous and walk out. although it's the UNITED states, every state is still different. you should respect that and appreciate it.

[d2mini]

I respect having a certain amount of pride. Texas has a distinct history and as much as I would like to poke fun, I can admit that there is something to be learned. I think it's charming in a way.

What I don't respect is the extreme side of it, those that are alienating themselves from the rest of the U.S. and the smugness of thinking they are better than others that are still part of their own country.
Every state is NOT that different. Every state does not treat themselves as their own country. Cities definitely have their own cultural differences, but when you cross the border from state to state you usually don't even realize any difference, except for Texas.
L.A., NYC, Seattle, Miami are all very distinct cities. But leave NYC and travel up north into the heart of the state, then cross the border into Connecticut, or Pennsylvania or Massachusetts and it's no big deal. NY state doesn't think it's any better than MA. MN doesn't think it's any better than RI. But Texas on the other hand.... woah nelly! Watch out. LOL!

I like Houston though because it's SUCH a melting pot of people from all over the country.

[Topaz]

I just asked my children, who attend schools in FBISD, and they told me the state pledge from memory. Apparently, they say it every school day:

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

Indivisible? I guess that means Houston and Austin can't have a civil war.

[calebaw]

Nothing is wrong with the pledge to the Texas flag. Texas is a great state I mean we even have our own TOAST!!!

[texas7]

Originally Posted by d2mini

I respect having a certain amount of pride. Texas has a distinct history and as much as I would like to poke fun, I can admit that there is something to be learned. I think it's charming in a way.

What I don't respect is the extreme side of it, those that are alienating themselves from the rest of the U.S. and the smugness of thinking they are better than others that are still part of their own country.
Every state is NOT that different. Every state does not treat themselves as their own country. Cities definitely have their own cultural differences, but when you cross the border from state to state you usually don't even realize any difference, except for Texas.
L.A., NYC, Seattle, Miami are all very distinct cities. But leave NYC and travel up north into the heart of the state, then cross the border into Connecticut, or Pennsylvania or Massachusetts and it's no big deal. NY state doesn't think it's any better than MA. MN doesn't think it's any better than RI. But Texas on the other hand.... woah nelly! Watch out. LOL!

I like Houston though because it's SUCH a melting pot of people from all over the country.

lol - NY thinks they are better than the rest of world. They just don't show the same pride in their own state in the same way.

[Zembonez]

What a lot of folks don't get is that much of the "Texas Pride" thing here is simply us having a little fun with the other states. The vast majority of Texans don't see it as anything other than a little light hearted fun. I love it here in Texas, but I don't think it's somehow superior to all other destinations. Frankly, none of the people I socialize with do either. There are always a few people anywhere that take things to a level that was not intended.

I don't see anything wrong with having a little pride - no matter where you are.

"Don't Mess With Texas" which is simply our "don't litter" campaign is a good example of our humorous approach.

[Svensk08]

Originally Posted by vegankris

I had to laugh the first time I was at one of my kids' schools and listened to them "pledge to the Texas flag...". Is this ALL over TX or just in HISD? And, why???? Every time I'm at school and I hear it, I can't help but just laugh. I literally have to leave the room. I just find it utterly ridiculous.

You're living in Texas now and are a property owner. Various things are done differently here. As a native, may I suggest that you get a copy of The Handbook of Texas (also available online) to learn some of the reasons for our actions and beliefs.

Laughing and leaving the room when you hear the pledge to the Texas flag is extremely disrespectful and embarrassing to your children and their teachers.

[David Dollar]

I think one thing also to remind the people from up northis that the south favors state rights over federal jurisdiction. Hence the entire CIVIL WAR thing. Many if not most people in the south would consider themselves from their state first and from the USA second. Even when I am abroad and people ask where I am from I tell them Mississippi.

[westhou]

Originally Posted by bluelion_ms3

i don't remember saying a pledge to Texas when i was in school.....but i also wouldn't have a problem with my kids saying a pledge to Texas AND United States, nor would i think it's ridiculous and walk out. although it's the UNITED states, every state is still different. you should respect that and appreciate it.

I also don't remember saying a pledge to Texas when I was in school from 1987 to 1999. Maybe it wasn't required in Cy Fair ISD. It seems a bit unnecessary since we already say a pledge to the United States. What next? A pledge to the City of Houston?

[TexasCatherine]

Originally Posted by d2mini

NY state doesn't think it's any better than MA.

Unless the Yankees are playing the Red Sox, of course...