BRB, GTT (Gone To Texas)

“Mr. Brown is at Santa Fe, in the service of the General Government, and Col. Parmer is said to have taken French leave and gone to Texas.”  (1)

Gone to Texas, or GTT was a saying used by American emigrants to Texas in the 1800s. The phrase was seen written on abandoned houses and fences.

Yes, a large number of these American emigrants were debtors and outlaws but many of them were just curious. Let’s call them mavericks, or early day entrepreneurs, who were ready to embark on the best-dang decision of their life and the lives of their progeny.

All jokes aside… The initial question posed by the Participation Topic is “Do Texans exhibit a Texas Exceptionalism?” I think I just proved that answer is a resounding YES because I am a Texan who thinks it’s the best dang place, EVER.

As the Budweiser ad in our prompt shows, Texans have Texas t-shirts and tattoos, bumper stickers, cups all showcasing a true and deep Texas Pride.

Houston Chronicle editorial writer Chris Hooks agrees that Texas pride has leveraged itself so much that it is now a brand that companies tap into or exploit to sell stuff. (2)  Furthermore, an informal survey via text of three of my friends, all non-native Texans, said basically, “Yeah, duh, of course they do.” And, a quick survey of my neighbor Noel, from Bastrop, led to the same conclusion: yes, Texans exhibit Exceptionalism.

Texas is big and bright and deserving of the pride. It has an OK climate, fertile soil, no state tax, a booming economy, innumerable industries, and wonderful culture. It boasts delicious ruby red grapefruits , George Strait and ZZ Top. All reasons for Texas Exceptionalism.

However, I believe Texas Exceptionalism is indeed mistaken and arrogant. Texas is exceptional but so are many other states. Like what state? Like California!

Chuck Devore, Vice President for the Texas Public Policy Foundation examined the long-standing rivalry between Texas and California. In an article for Forbes, he compared the two states that one in five Americans calls home. In short, they are both competitive in education, economy, and industry. Texas comes out ahead on energy sources, of course. (3)

In closing, I think too much Texas Exceptionalism is a net negative because it creates closed-minded Texans who think their state is the best at everything. I think it’s one thing to be proud but another thing to be too closed-minded and too "exceptional." Along with being closed-minded vs. open-minded comes statements vs. questions, saying rather than hearing and the difficulty (or inability) to change or challenge ideas. 

Works Cited

1. “Gone to Texas.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Oct. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gone_to_Texas.

2. Hooks, Chris. “Texas Exceptionalism Obscures True Lone Star History [Opinion].” HoustonChronicle.com, Houston Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2019, www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Texas-exceptionalism-obscures-true-Lone-Star-13585116.php.

3. DeVore, Chuck. “California Vs. Texas: Education -- Comparing The Two States 1 In 5 Americans Call Home.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 31 Oct. 2018, www.forbes.com/sites/chuckdevore/2018/10/31/california-vs-texas-education-comparing-the-two-states-1-in-5-americans-call-home/.