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Old 05-21-2016, 03:30 PM
 
10,097 posts, read 9,970,695 times
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After reading some of the comments in the NYT article posted in another thread. For those of ya'll too lazy to go to the other thread, here it is: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/us...exas.html?_r=1

Anyways, it seems as though there is this perplexing and sometimes utter disdain for Texas, what it stands for, it's culture and it's politics (whether right or left). Some people say they could care less what we do but there is always this dismissive attitude when the state actually does something of note. I don't get it. Anything the state does is overblown to the tenth degree such as the right wing loudmouths that are politically vocal OR anything the state does that is of note gets downplayed such as being extremely diverse, great economy, job creator, etc. Other states suffer from worse problems *cough* CA, NY *cough* but still get touted as the best and their issues get overlooked or explained away. I've poked holes in some of the "Texas Miracle" myths but I still gave Texas it's due over creating something out of nothing and building itself up to be the 12 largest economy in the world.
Texas is going through the similar bashing that the entire South goes through by the Coastal elites but it's made bigger by the fact that Texas is so proud and boastful.

When people move here and actually adapt, they tend to love Texas more and see the BS that the media likes to portray about the state. Some don't adapt and think they see everything the media is talking about but it's usually just all in their head because they cop to the fact that Texans are really friendly and helpful (and the economy isn't too shabby).

But just what crawls up their skin about Texas? Is it the perceived arrogance? That they do not want to give a supposed rabidly right wing state that personifies all their worst nightmares any proper due? Dallas and Houston are international cities with burgeoning world class potential. Austin is the only city that they give any credit to, but most if not ALL Texans (that don't live in Austin) know that Dallas and Houston are much more diverse, lively and have more going for it. Yet, Austin gets all the praise because of the hipster character it paints itself out to be.

What do you guys think it is? I don't think it's envy or jealousy. I really don't. If I had to guess I think it's just they really do not want to see the amazing growth the state has accomplished and do not want to give credence to a supposed right wing state because it might negate the progressive politics in other states (which is delusional).
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Old 05-21-2016, 04:08 PM
 
Location: Sugarmill Woods , FL
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The only things that are certain are death and Texas!
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Old 05-22-2016, 05:47 AM
 
Location: Texas
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Many people are hateful, indoctrinated, and see entities like countries and states as black and white. Of course, people are also quick to judge and are attracted to what they believe reinforce their views. Texas bring more right leaning may be the answer. Nothing else explains the portrayal of Texas compared to other major states with their own issues.

I learned not to give any care for those who have always been outside but throw stones at the state. As a child of legal immigrants, I have a strong Texan pride but no American one.
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Old 05-22-2016, 06:27 AM
 
Location: Texas
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I agree with you that I don't think it's envy or jealousy. I've lived in multiple other states as an adult, and all of them had wonderful people who were proud and loyal to their communities and even states as well.

I think it is the "perceived arrogance" to use your term, OP. That, and the fact that many people in Texas have a tough time accepting constructive criticism, at least from what I have found.

And, yes, many of the incorrect stereotypes and misinformation about Texas on these forums and elsewhere bothers me too....
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Old 05-22-2016, 09:44 AM
 
Location: San Antonio
4,422 posts, read 6,233,898 times
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Texas represents the largest and the most outspoken of what the media likes to make fun of.
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Old 05-22-2016, 11:10 AM
 
10,097 posts, read 9,970,695 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Ag 93 View Post
I agree with you that I don't think it's envy or jealousy. I've lived in multiple other states as an adult, and all of them had wonderful people who were proud and loyal to their communities and even states as well.

I think it is the "perceived arrogance" to use your term, OP. That, and the fact that many people in Texas have a tough time accepting constructive criticism, at least from what I have found.

And, yes, many of the incorrect stereotypes and misinformation about Texas on these forums and elsewhere bothers me too....
I agree that many in Texas cannot take constructive criticism. If there is a solution proposed to better the state the knee jerk reaction is that it's some variant of socialism and it shouldn't be enacted. California is used as a boogeyman to scare voters into not voting for increased spending to improve schools, public transport, etc. I think that much is true.

But New Yorkers are just as stubborn and reactive toward criticism yet their arrogance is perceived as well deserved. It doesn't matter how much the city makes it harder for working people, they think it's just a game of survival and they think they're tough because they're needlessly dealing with all the BS. Yet no one in the country has the cojones to tell them that thinking seems ludicrous. Regardless, it's portrayed as endearing.

No matter how much is shown; the data that proves that the economy is strong, more people move here, the safe cities, the happy people, the cosmopolitan and diversity of the major cities, all of that is dismissed as nothing because they believe no one would happily move to Texas if there wasn't a job attached to it. Even when you bring up all the positives of Texas and the other person cannot answer back with a legitimate response, they resort to the canard of "yeah but you're still in Texas", "yeah but you live in Texas", as if just mentioning the word Texas is supposed to be an insult that conjures up negative stereotypes. It's as though it's just a given that it's worse than any other place in fly over country. It's weird.
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Old 05-22-2016, 11:50 AM
 
Location: Central Texas
20,958 posts, read 45,286,647 times
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John Steinbeck said it best:

"Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word"

"I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study and the passionate possession of all Texans."
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Old 05-22-2016, 11:55 AM
 
10,097 posts, read 9,970,695 times
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Nice! Love that quote. So I guess this problem has been going on for a while now.
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Old 05-22-2016, 03:16 PM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,655 posts, read 57,744,979 times
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Texas has a history, just like many places.... I feel it is ironic that societies tend to follw their predecessors line of thought for generations. But it is true.

There is certainly a Texas Proud thing. And an A&M thing.

Texans and CA visitors and immigrants changed my previous state of Colorado 40 yrs ago so... Now I am one (PT)... If you can't beat them, join them... It will serve them right.
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Old 05-22-2016, 03:54 PM
 
Location: Westbury
3,283 posts, read 6,032,537 times
Reputation: 2950
Texas is truly terrible at the political and big business level. Level of corruption and cronyism is absurd and its sold to a populace that says outright they dont care enough to do anything. Despite the **** that gets pulled like wasting hundreds of millions of dollars of tax payer money. I hate being made the fool by a politician so that will always make me angry.

Thats only somewhat discussed by the rest of the nation when slamming texas though. When I travel its mostly ignorance (texas is a desert and we ride horses to school) or complaints of the weather.
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