Texas is not the South but the South wants it to be (Houston: college, live in)

[Enean]

Since you can't go any farther south than Texas, without running into Mexico, I would say, by default, that it is southern. I don't get the splitting hairs on this site. Texas is in the south.

[Enean]

Originally Posted by As Above So Below...

Everything East of Dallas is Southern. Houston certainly is.

Everything West of Dallas and east of Midland may have Southern elements, but its more in a transition zone. I also dont really see Corpus and the RGV as Southern.

Texas is just too complex to categorize.

Texas isn't complex, it's just big. All states have differences...southeastern Wisconsin is nothing like northwestern Wisconsin. People don't ruminate about it, though...ever. That's a Texas thing.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by Enean

Texas isn't complex, it's just big. All states have differences...southeastern Wisconsin is nothing like northwestern Wisconsin. People don't ruminate about it, though...ever. That's a Texas thing.

With respect thats a bad example.

Texas isnt Wisconsin. Its multiple times the size and the geographic landscape and culture from one side of the state to the other is far more extreme than Wisconsin.

Its not a knock in Wisconsin because I love that state too.

Originally Posted by NOVA_guy

Not really but ok.

I didnt say that just to pick at you but rather that its ridiculous to say all of Texas is Southern but Northern Virginia is not. Both are on boundary lines of what is and what isnt Southern. NOVA certainly has Southern elements to it and Texas does too. NOVA is certainly more Southern than El Paso, Harlingen, or Amarillo. By consequence NOVA is less Southern than deep East Texas and Houston. Id say its comparable to Fort Worth. They have southern elements but dont full fully into what it is.

[bawac34618]

Counties in red are in the South. Those in blue or any other color our not.

Our definition of "Southern culture" largely comes from the culture that is built around and influenced by the Southern Baptist church. From the experiences I've had and people I know from Amarillo, that town is definitely still the South even if it doesn't look like it aesthetically.

[walker1962]

Originally Posted by JMatl

The thread title says it all. This is your personal issue, the South isn't trying to 'make' Texas be anything. You have convinced yourself that Texas is superior to everywhere, especially when it comes to its major cities being compared to their Southern peers.

Ahhh, JM of Atl fame is here...good to hear from you!

[walker1962]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

Why do so many people on CD try to pigeonhole entire states? Makes no sense.

It does make sense. Some states given their size, population density, type of economy and history are more close in personality than others. Texas 60-70 years ago was more aligned in its thinking and allegiances to its neighbors to the east than to its neighbors to the west. Its evolved quite bit.

Rhode Island is so small, its less difficult to understand who it is. Now NY state is really two states, NYC Metro with Long Island and then the rest of the state outside a 70 mile radius. California is known for its liberal group think, tech and movie industries and great tourist spots.

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by walker1962

Ahhh, JM of Atl fame is here...good to hear from you!

Thanks! A dose of reality is usually needed when you go down this path, as your poll currently shows pretty clearly.

[walker1962]

Originally Posted by bawac34618

Counties in red are in the South. Those in blue or any other color our not.

Our definition of "Southern culture" largely comes from the culture that is built around and influenced by the Southern Baptist church. From the experiences I've had and people I know from Amarillo, that town is definitely still the South even if it doesn't look like it aesthetically.

There is definitely truth in that but the Southern Baptists adherence in Texas the numbers are not nearly as widespread now as it was 60 years ago due to a higher Latino population (Catholic leaning) and more Asian residents. Just look at the fact that Texas is now a majority-minority state in population.

Amarillo as far west as it is I tend to see as being more like New Mexico than Alabama. I could see Abilene as more like the deep south, especially with Abilene Christian University. But Amarillo, well that's a frontier mentality out there with wide open spaces and cattle ranch country.

[walker1962]

So good observations in general noting the influences throughout the state.

[SanJac]

Since Texas was "Mexico" and then settled by United States Southerners it is undeniably "the South." Unfortunately our history proves it. But times are changing...