Today is, of course, the anniversary of the declaration at Washington-on-the-Brazos of the independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico. It is something I acknowledge, of course, and not only because it is good for me as a professional to do so as a signification of my participation in the broader community of this state (despite not being a native, which disqualifies me from being a “True” Texan). Despite the many negative stereotypes about the state and its people–and there are reasons the stereotypes exist–I do continue to claim my Texanness, to assert that I am and belong here.

And why should I not? I have lived more years than not in the Hill Country; it’s where I grew up, it’s where my family is, it’s where my name is on the walls and where it remains spoken. It is where I have worked these many years, and it is where the work I do conduces to the health of the broader community, including children, the indigent, business leaders, and visitors in and out of season. It is where I have put down roots once again and from where I picked them up a time or two. And while there are problems to be found in it, as there are in all places, there is also much good, and if it is to our discredit that the bad is often elided or ignored, it would very much be to our discredit were we to set aside the good that is (and for nerd communities, no less; Texas has given rise to no few artists in several genres on whose work much hangs).

At its best, Texas–like many other places, to be sure–is a promise and an endorsement. Nobody is always at their best; I certainly am not, and I do not think it would befit for me to expect the state of which I am a part to be such if none of us who live here can claim to be so. But, damn it, I and others try, and even trying, we can do a damned lot of good.

(Just so you know, I’m not abandoning the Robin Hobb reread; it’ll resume next week. Too, yes, I know this posted later than usual. It was busy. But I didn’t forget.)

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