These students in Texas taught their teachers about LGBTQ+ issues!
With the help of one of our 50 States, 50 Grants, these students in Texas reestablished their dormant GSA club and organized student-led teacher training sessions so that teachers can learn how to better support their LGBTQ+ students.
THAT'S how we make it better on the ground for students at school every day.
💜 One student said, "The GSA gave me a place to feel like I am part of a greater community."
💜 Another said, "Seeing how our school's community supported us was truly inspiring. I really felt like we were able to make a difference, especially when we did teacher training at some of the high schools. Teachers would come up to us with all sorts of questions on how to support their LGBTQ+ students. We had genuine conversations that I believe will have a lasting impact on our teachers and students."
We're going to keep highlighting some of these amazing projects that came out of last year's 50 States, 50 Grants, 5,000 Voices initiative for ya'll all summer!
I've never been to a pride thing before bc I live in Texas and it's really rare but our local county was hosting a pride event with little tables and shops, crystals, baked goods, candy, books, drag queens performing, it was incredible.
Who doesn't love Texas toast? It's the best kind of toast around! What would make it even better? If it were shaped like Texas!: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1188621235/texas-toast-4-vinyl-sticker-tx-pride
If a man's from Texas, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him by asking? ~ John Gunther
Today I am going to tell y’all a little bit about my home state, as any Texan, born or naturalized, is bound to do when they are subjected to the grievous insult “What’s so great about Texas?" You might as well have slapped us across the face with your glove! Congratulations my friend, you have now set yourself up for a lifetime subscription to Texas: It’s Wonderful and Here’s Why! 🤣
So, how did all this start? Well, it could be my fault. I was listening to an interview with my favorite fellow Texan (outside of actual family and friends of course) Jaren Lewison. On I'm So Obsessed the interviewer, Patrick Holland, asked him if he preferred Dallas, his hometown or LA, where he is living now. OF COURSE he said Dallas. Holland seems truly baffled and asks him why. "Wait how come?" And Jaren has to explain! He very nicely explains that he is a Texas boy (duh!) It's his home, his friends are there, his family is there, his sports teams are there. IT'S TEXAS, he's a TEXAN. Come on Holland, it is KNOWN.
This was around about 23 minutes. I was highly offended on his behalf and made it known. “How dare he ask a Texan if he prefers somewhere else over Texas!” You just don't DO that!
This inevitably led to questions like “What is the deal with Whataburger? He is obsessed with it." and “What’s so special about Whataburger, why do you Texas like it so much?”. Oh friends, let me tell you, I could do a whole blog just on what is so special about Whataburger, more on that later. Also, why Texas BBQ is superior. Or perhaps why breakfast tacos are the best breakfast cuisine.🤣 no, not breakfast burritos, tacos! 🌮.
At that point it was fairly benign. Re-x left it with an “Oh you Texans and your inexplicable obsession with your home state.” But it grew. This is Re-x now.
She is always asking me what’s so great about Texas? Why are we so proud of our state? And can you really blame her when you look at the political situation going on there? We’ll get into that too. But this blog is about Texas Pride.
And why do we like football so much! What the hell?
So, let's start with where we get all this pride.
Quite simply, it's bred into us from a young age.
We learn songs like Texas our Texas, Deep in the Heart of Texas and yes, the Yellow Rose of Texas. We say the state pledge in school along with the US pledge. Es la ley. When I was little I got one of those weaving looms for kids. What did I make? A Dallas Cowboy's sweater for my teddy bear. Blue and silver. If you don't want to read all this though, this poem pretty much sums it up.
Local History
When I was a little girl I went to the Fandangle for the first time. It's an outdoor musical put on by the people of Albany, Texas.
The play tells the story of Fort Griffin, an 1867 military post. Below the fort, along the Clear Fork of the Brazos, a a river I grew up swimming in, a town grew. Western Cattle Trail drivers, ranchers, and Buffalo Hunters, cowboys from South Texas all met up there to gamble and drink including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday.
Look at these cute little performers and tell me you don't believe we learn early to love Texas!
Below are a few more pictures from the Fandangle. The oldest outdoor musical in Texas happens every summer, the last two weeks of June.
The performers are locals, required to live in, own property or have a familial connection Shackleford County.
The creator of the Fandangle, Robert Nail, was a young playwright from the area who attended Princeton University and studied under Thornton Wilder
And of course it wouldn't be complete without the gorgeous Texas Longhorns
Source: Knight, Paul. "Singin' on the Range". Texas Monthly August, 2013. Photos: Artie Limmer
Six Flags of Texas
It wasn't just a theme park we went to in the summer. It was an opportunity to teach us about one of the unique things about Texas history. Texas wasn't always under the Lone Star.
Flag 1: The Republic of Texas
"Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word.. . . A Texan outside of Texas is a foreigner." John Steinbeck
One of the first things we learn about our great state is that once upon a time it was a it's own country! Texas was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845 and was admitted to the Union on December 29, 1845 as a territory, another unique characteristic. The Anglos residing in Texas at that time were referred to as Texians.
The Battle of Gonzales, an October 2nd 1835 skirmish, sparked the Texas Revolution when the Texian colonist in the city refused to give back the small cannon to a detachment of Mexican soldiers. It had been provided to them for protection from Native Americans but they now wanted to use it to protect themselves from General Santa Anna. After that skirmish, the famous "Come and Take It" flag was created by Sarah Seely DeWitt and her daughter, Evaline, from Noami DeWitt's wedding dress. It has become a Hallmark of Texas pride.
The Battle of the Alamo occurred during the Texas Revolution as well. The thirteen day siege took place between February 23 and March 06, 1836 at the Alamo mission in San Antonio, Texas. While the Texians were defeated, it was a turning point in the Revolution. Mexican troops led by Santa Anna reclaimed the Alamo and killed most of the occupants inside. However, Santa Anna's refusal to take prisoners during the battle inspired many Texian immigrants and Tejanos to join the Texian Army. Soon after Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836.
The defenders of the Alamo came from around 30 different identified states or countries and several were unidentified or uncertain. These include Germany, England, Ireland and Scotland. Tennessee had the largest contingent with 29. Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Kentucky also had large contingents. And of course, Spanish/Mexican Texas. Some of the casualties of the battle include Davy Crocket of Tennessee who was 49 years old, James Bowie of Virginia who was 40 years old and William B. Travis of South Carolina who who was the 26 year old commander during the siege. While the legend of the line drawn in the sand with his sword is unproven, the Victory or Death letter is certainly not a myth.
Commandancy of the The Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World-
Fellow Citizens & compatriots-
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna - I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man - The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken - I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls - I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch - The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country - Victory or Death.
William Barret Travis.
Flags 2-5 Spain, France, Mexico, Confederate States, United States
Spanish 1519-1685, French 1685-1690, Spanish 1690-1821, Mexican 1821-1836, United States 1845-1861, Confederate States 1861-1865, United States 1865-present
And yep, that's pretty much how we see it. lol.
But seriously, the history here is pretty fascinating and certainly helps one understand the culture and diversity of Texas. Particularly our Spanish and Mexican heritage. We are not just a state with a large Hispanic population. It is a foundational aspect of our culture. (more on the culture and diversity of Texas later)
But let's talk real quick about that whole, 'Texas can secede" thing. No, Texas cannot secede. It is true that Texas is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of territorial annexation and part of that agreement permits division into as many as five states without federal approval. Pretty cool right? But does Texit really have any chance of happening? Texit ain't gonna happen y'all.
But just for fun, here is a clip from Bernie about the 5 different "states" within Texas. No offense to you snobs with your Mercedes up in Dallas from this Liberal fruitcake from the People's Republic of Austin.
Coming soon: "What's so great about Texas?" including food, art and literature, culture and some general trivia--Did you know the Capital building in Austin is built from Texas granite and is also the largest state capital building in the US? It's beautiful y'all. I know you can't wait...
[YOU KNOW, SMALL LITTLE SHACK, SERVES KILLER FOOD. WELL, IN ADKINS, TEXAS, ABOUT 20 MILES EAST OF SAN ANTONIO, IT'S NOT A LITTLE SHACK. IT'S MORE LIKE A CULINARY COMPOUND. YOU GOTTA CHECK OUT TEXAS PRIDE.]
