Native Texans

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by llmrkc07

I am a 4th generation Texan on my mothers side of the family, and I just recently found out on the 4th of July that I am a 6th generation Texan on my dad side of the family. I mean you do have to be born here to be a Texan. I guess someone who loves/respects the culture can be a naturalized Texan, it just bothers me a little bit, to be honest...

It honestly bothers you that someone who loves and respects Texas culture (and who presumably lives here) can be a naturalized Texan? Wow.

[Treasurevalley92]

I was born in Colorado, but don't consider myself a native Coloradoan as I lived there a little less than a year as a baby. I grew up in Idaho so I consider myself a native Idahoan.

I've lived in Texas over 7 years now, (minus a couple summers spent in Alaska and Europe) and I'm beginning to see myself as a Naturalized Texan, sorta. My alma mater is here, many of my friends live here, I pay taxes here and I vote here. The longer I stay the harder it becomes to leave here, but if I did, and returned to the mountains of the west, I'm sure I would take a bit of Texas with me.

[llmrkc07]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

It honestly bothers you that someone who loves and respects Texas culture (and who presumably lives here) can be a naturalized Texan? Wow.

Well, I dont mind someone who loves the culture and respects the state, thats awesome, really it is. The problem I have is that when folks start claiming a place you are not from or have little to no ties too. I mean saying your a Texan is actually doing that. I love New York state, I would live there in a min. if I could..but even after 15,20 years of me being there (regardless of laws) I am and will always be a Texan. Now, I will respect New Yorker's and I will immerse myself in the culture there, but you will NEVER hear me say I am New Yorker, those words will never come out of my mouth, out of respect for New York. Now, I dont want you to think I am being mean or rude, I am very accepting and welcoming to many different types of transplants to the state. I just have so much history here (like MANY others) and it just feels awkward coming from someone who was not born and/or raised here.

[Gunion Powder]

So what do you call a baby that was born on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean? Where are they a native of?

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by Gunion Powder

So what do you call a baby that was born on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean? Where are they a native of?

International waters. Lol

Or just whatever nation the mother is native to. I guess

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by llmrkc07

Well, I dont mind someone who loves the culture and respects the state, thats awesome, really it is. The problem I have is that when folks start claiming a place you are not from or have little to no ties too. I mean saying your a Texan is actually doing that. I love New York state, I would live there in a min. if I could..but even after 15,20 years of me being there (regardless of laws) I am and will always be a Texan. Now, I will respect New Yorker's and I will immerse myself in the culture there, but you will NEVER hear me say I am New Yorker, those words will never come out of my mouth, out of respect for New York. Now, I dont want you to think I am being mean or rude, I am very accepting and welcoming to many different types of transplants to the state. I just have so much history here (like MANY others) and it just feels awkward coming from someone who was not born and/or raised here.

Oh well, I guess all I can say is "too bad." I've lived in Texas for 25 years and consider myself a Texan. It really doesn't bother me that you don't. Like I said earlier, my ancestor fought at Goliad, but even if he hadn't, I'd still consider myself a Texan.

Now - I'm not a native Texan. I'm a native of New Orleans - and while I am proud to be and I love New Orleans, my heart belongs to Texas. I voluntarily moved here, embraced the culture, the people, etc, married a (native) Texan and had my youngest child here as well. I raised all my kids here. I vote here, pay taxes here, work here, volunteer here, and otherwise support my community and Texas here. So yeah..no offense but if you don't consider me a Texan I'm really not going to lose any sleep over it. I'm very confident in my own identity.