What I’ve learned From
Living in Texas: I am not Texan
Today, my English teacher asked the class if those who are
not from Texas get annoyed with those who are from Texas (if you’ve ever been
to Texas or met someone from Texas, you know what I’m talking about). When I simply
answered the question with a “yes” there were a few surprised giggles around
the classroom. This got me thinking. One thing that I have learned from living
in Texas this past year is that I am not Texan. Now don’t get annoyed, I am in
no way going to bash Texas—I do live here and my dad is from Texas too. What I’ve
realized is why I take pride in my roots and why I love Oklahoma. Although I was
born and raised where “the wind comes sweeping down the plains,” I don’t take
pride in my home state just because it’s all
I knew up until August. I take pride in being from Oklahoma because when
faced with adversity, we band together and unite for a common purpose. An
obvious example is tornados, with the most recent and possibly destructive being
the May 20th storm. Before the full extent of the damage was
known, donations were being collected and cleanup crews were already being
formed. Even Kevin Durant and the majority of the Thunder basketball team took
part in the cleanup effort. So you say Oklahoma is not the only state that has
been hit with tornados, this is quite true. Let’s talk about the Oklahoma City
bombing. While the OKC bombing was not an attack on Oklahomans specifically,
more the government at large, it was the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S.
prior to September 11, 2001. The aftermath of the events of April 19, 1995
naturally included clean up and necessary medical relief, but Oklahomans also
took it a step further. A beautiful memorial in downtown Oklahoma City was
built in honor of those effected by the tragedy. As well as curriculum related
to the bombing was mandated to be taught in the Oklahoma history class high
school students are required to take. This tragic event is kept alive in order
to come together as a community and
show the world how Oklahomans rise
together. This simple phrase brings me to my next point, and my favorite
point—basketball. Not any basketball, but Oklahoma City Thunder basketball. The
Thunder have used the phrase “rise together” on shirts and as a team theme if
you will as a direct association to the adversity Oklahoma has faced in the
past. This phrase is meant to show how we have risen from the ashes of
adversity, being the OKC bombing or a tornado or any other tragic event and
become stronger.
So you see, I’m not bashing or trash talking Texas, but I have
great reason to love where I am from. It has nothing to do with the physical
things such as roads, restaurants, or even my beloved house (The Plantation as I
generally refer to it as), but more a sense of community and togetherness.
To be honest Oklahoma and Texas are quite similar, yes I went
there.
For now Texas is where I live, but OklaHOME is my home.
Your Favorite Redhead
