• Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I often work in rural TX. I’ve had a number of Texans suggest I ought to move there, cause muh freedums. Yeah, I target shoot a little, but I’m lefty as hell. I talk about guns sometimes to deflect questions about my politics.

    They are so full of themselves. They think because great grandpa was a cowboy that they inherit all his toughness. I don’t know how grandpa lived, but I know Texans today live mostly in air conditioning and love shopping, huge portions, and convenience. They’re fully convinced there is nowhere better on Earth. But no, I’ve been all over the Earth. TX sucks and I’d never move there.

    • El Barto@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      They’re fully convinced there is nowhere better on Earth.

      Huh. So Texas is to Americans what America is to the world. Interesting.

      (I’m mostly joking…)

      • Queen HawlSera@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Pretty much, I find it’s funny that it’s considered a Bastion of freedoms and a refuge away from the liberal policies of the world. When it actually is the state with the most human rights violations and the state where legally you actually have less personal freedom than any other state. I wouldn’t go to Texas even if you paid me, I wouldn’t go to Texas even if you could promise me a steak cooked on a propane grill by Hankster Hillington himself.

        • El Barto@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          The thing is, if you think that way (“I would NEVER go to Texas”), then you’re not really better than Texas, because the only image you have of Texas is what you’ve read online or what people have told you.

          And this is coming from a progressive dude.

          Edit: I’ve been schooled.

    • Papergeist@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I’m born and raised in the valley north of Sac. Moved to texas after freshman year of highschool and been here for almost 20 years. I married a texan and God damn if it isn’t difficult to extricate a texan from texas. She has since become a travelling surgical tech and is seeing the country. It took her a whole 2 contracts to be ready to move away from texas.

      texas fuckin blows. The only people trying to stay here are the ones that have never left to see what’s out there.

    • Uncaged_Jay@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I know that this will get buried in down votes, but I lived up and down the East Coast for the entirety of my childhood. I moved to Texas during my time in the military and fell in love. I’m wrapping up my degree now and honestly I don’t want to leave. Your judgemental view of a few Texans does not represent all or even the majority of them.

      • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Look, I never said there was nothing to like about TX, or that everyone is awful. I don’t get jobs in Austin, or any of the major cities really. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is lovely and Big Bend is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

        But you know what I don’t like? Knowing full well that the instant I go mask off, and the small town locals realize I’m a gender-nonconforming, socialist, atheist, antifascist, who thinks Trump should be buried in the NYC sewer, it’s just possible all that fake friendliness might disappear, and I could soon need to defend myself against multiple assailants. Fortunately I blend well, but I was nearly assaulted down there just for wearing a mask during the height of COVID. Do you think I called the cops? I’m not much of a fighter. I’m a cuddly bear. People don’t usually mess with me. Maybe in cities people are cool. Maybe. I do not feel safe just being myself in most places, but especially not TX. Sure, there are lots of belligerent assholes in small towns across the country. I’ve been all over, but Texans go hard about it.

        You see, they aren’t just the meanest gullible suckers in your state who might try to beat my ass or kill me; those are a dime a dozen. They are the people in your state with actual wealth and power. They are the cops. They are the judges. If I lose the fight I might die. What hell would unleash if I won? You think TX is a free state? Only if you consider punching down one of your basic freedoms. I can’t imagine what it’d be like if I wasn’t a white dude. If they wanna fight, they should fight as equals. Otherwise is just… Well, it sure ain’t tough.

        • Uncaged_Jay@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          After living on the East Coast, I can tell you the people in Texas are far friendlier. Beyond that, the skies go on forever and they’re absolutely beautiful. I love the hiking and outdoors, I love the use of public land (Sam Houston National Forest, and several state parks). I really like diversity of culture, the Six Flags that flew over Texas each has left their mark on the state, as well as the immigrants that have moved here afterwards. The Mexican, German, and currently Asian immigrants to the state have each brought their own food and cultures as well. I love the arts scene in Austin and the way the performing arts are done at the high school level in the states. The major state marching band competitions are tremendous and I love how much everyone loves it. The only thing I dislike about Texas most of the time is the heat.

          • mriormro@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            The Mexican, German, and currently Asian immigrants to the state have each brought their own food and cultures as well.

            Lol, Mexicans didn’t necessarily bring their culture to Texas…