I am a 5th generation Texan. Texan born and raised. Currently living here raising a family

I am OVER it.

The power of messaging.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the people I know like this are this way, IMO, because of a lack of travel.

My parents are both from WV. They moved to VA in the 80s and had my siblings and I here. 99% of my relatives are still in WV. They're very much like this with the WV pride because they know of no other places, for the most part. Many have been to visit us in VA and they absolutely hate it here and in DC. Other than that, they go to Myrtle Beach in SC for vacation. A motorcycle event in OH. None of them have passports or any desire to ever travel internationally.

I've been to 5 continents and over 30 countries.

Don't. Mess. With. TEXAS.

Sure, sure, sure, but... West BY GOD Virginia.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

Your ignorance shows you probably never step foot in MI! I recently stayed in Howell, MI and was surprised how nice it was. And Brighton. A ton of lakes and many of the subdivisions had boat ramps etc. and nice parks. I've also been all over the UP and Mackinaw island we took our bikes on the ferry and road all over the island. fyi these weren't even near a 1 million dollar homes...lol Maybe if you change your attitude you find some happiness.

Two MAGA country exurbs of Detroit. Cheap mcmansions, fast food joints, strip malls, and terrible schools. You should move there if it's so great. You won't, of course.

I’m a Texan who grew up on a farm outside of Austin. I can tell you that Texas history was taught in all public schools and is a curriculum requirement. From the Alamo to the Come and Take It cannon - our schools celebrated and often based field trips around Texas historic sights. If not, the trips were often to somewhere in the Texas Hill Country which is really pretty.

Also, as a kid, it seemed like there was a non-stop drumbeat of Texas pride: Don’t Mess with Texas” signs and anti-littering campaigns driven by local celebrities, watching Austin City Limits on TV every week, the space program, great musicians and writers/directors such as Linkletter and Mike Judge.

Today, Texas is a business powerhouse. Aside from the oil industry, Tech companies are relocating here (Tesla, Oracle, etc) and new companies are starting here. Austin is one of the hottest real estate markets around n the country.

Texas politics can be regrettable (as it currently seems to be almost everywhere), but, we do occasionally produce politicians such as Ann Richards.

Lastly, the state has a very recognizable shape. It’s not some amorphous square so it lends well to any type of visual displays such as t-shirts, tattoos, bumper sticker’s etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

On the other hand, way too many people think they are entitled to live in ''affordable housing'' or that we have a ''housing shortage'' in the country and world's most coveted cities when, in fact, this is a big country and nobody is entitled to live in Manhattan when there are SFHs up for grabs in Michigan and 99% of the country. Be a job creator.

I have a relative trying to get out of Manhattan as they hate N.Y. but are stuck there because of their job. Upper state is nice, but high taxes and other problems.

Upstate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

You sound unhappy. Try going for a walk. It's a nice day and might make you feel better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

Your ignorance shows you probably never step foot in MI! I recently stayed in Howell, MI and was surprised how nice it was. And Brighton. A ton of lakes and many of the subdivisions had boat ramps etc. and nice parks. I've also been all over the UP and Mackinaw island we took our bikes on the ferry and road all over the island. fyi these weren't even near a 1 million dollar homes...lol Maybe if you change your attitude you find some happiness.

My husband's entire family has lived in Michigan (Grand Rapids) for multiple generations. Of his family, and his close friends, he and one other cousin are the only people who have left the state and stayed out. They all love the state.

Anonymous wrote:All the people I know like this are this way, IMO, because of a lack of travel.

My parents are both from WV. They moved to VA in the 80s and had my siblings and I here. 99% of my relatives are still in WV. They're very much like this with the WV pride because they know of no other places, for the most part. Many have been to visit us in VA and they absolutely hate it here and in DC. Other than that, they go to Myrtle Beach in SC for vacation. A motorcycle event in OH. None of them have passports or any desire to ever travel internationally.

I have a lot of home-state pride and have traveled all over the place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

On the other hand, way too many people think they are entitled to live in ''affordable housing'' or that we have a ''housing shortage'' in the country and world's most coveted cities when, in fact, this is a big country and nobody is entitled to live in Manhattan when there are SFHs up for grabs in Michigan and 99% of the country. Be a job creator.

I have a relative trying to get out of Manhattan as they hate N.Y. but are stuck there because of their job. Upper state is nice, but high taxes and other problems.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

Your ignorance shows you probably never step foot in MI! I recently stayed in Howell, MI and was surprised how nice it was. And Brighton. A ton of lakes and many of the subdivisions had boat ramps etc. and nice parks. I've also been all over the UP and Mackinaw island we took our bikes on the ferry and road all over the island. fyi these weren't even near a 1 million dollar homes...lol Maybe if you change your attitude you find some happiness.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

On the other hand, way too many people think they are entitled to live in ''affordable housing'' or that we have a ''housing shortage'' in the country and world's most coveted cities when, in fact, this is a big country and nobody is entitled to live in Manhattan when there are SFHs up for grabs in Michigan and 99% of the country. Be a job creator.

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never understood this, but I also don't get being really into where you went to college. I love where I'm from and have fond memories of college, but I don't find either of these things defining aspects of my personality.

And I guess that's my read -- people who get really into their state/city of origin or their alma mater are using it as a proxy for developing actual interests or personality traits. It's just easier to decide early on "I'm a Texan! I love hot sauce and big hats! This is my identity!" than to spend some time figuring out who you really are underneath. And I say that as a Texan (and UT grad who loves both hot sauce and solid cowboy hat. It's just those things don't define who I am.

I find it interesting that no one acknowledges the social privilege aspect of big college football team pride in this era.

There are many people that are big college fotball team supporters that never went to that college, or any other college.

+1 Anyone who thinks otherwise has spent way too much time in the northeast and mid-Atlantic, and not enough time anywhere else in the U.S.

Or has never been anywhere in eastern or central PA. My family has many who went to PSU and more that didn’t and everyone of them is a PSU fan.

I’m from Oregon. I’m proud because it rocks. Traveling the globe, I really came to appreciate how gorgeous it is. In Phil Knight’s book, Shoe Dog, he mentions how Mount Fuji reminded him of Mount Hood. I had to laugh because I had a similar reaction many times. And often was totally underwhelmed by what we’re supposed to be awe-inspiring sights.