Being Southern comes with a pride like no other - and if you’re from the South, you know this.
Actually, if you’re from anywhere, you know this. After all, pick almost any word, and put “Southern” in front of it, and you probably just named a clothing brand.
Growing up, my family and I moved multiple times, due to my dad being in the U.S. Air Force. I was born in England, then moved multiple places before settling in Celebration, Florida in 2002. Living in Florida, I wasn’t aware of the Southern Pride I was supposed to have (I mean, I was pretty far South, we didn’t even have winter). I usually told people I was from England (I thought it sounded cool), and had never even heard of much less tried sweet tea.
The long drive from Florida to Texas was exciting, but I was dreading this new state. On the one hand, no Disney! No beach! No beautiful flowers year round! On the other hand, there would be winter! I would buy shoes other than flip flops! I would ride my horse to school, passing cacti and tumbleweeds as I rode through the desert.
After living in Dallas for eight years now, I have learned to love riding my horse to school, drinking sweet tea, and watching SEC football games (two truths and a lie, anyone?). Although the transition was hard, moving to Texas taught me to embrace the culture I was surrounded by. To embrace country music and cold winters (okay maybe not), to enjoy nights by the lake unafraid of alligators and to force my stomach to handle copious amounts of barbecue.
The funny thing is, I never embraced Texas until I left the state.
When we spent a few weeks in Ukraine, we were often asked where we were from. As soon as the word “Texas” left our mouthes, the person’s face would often light up, followed by exclamations about the “Wild West,” cowboys, and other cliches. Coming from Florida, we would sometimes get questions about Disney or the beach, but no sort of stigmatism came with being a Floridian. As soon as you tell someone from out of state or country that you are a Texan, you are virtually always given some kind of respect (not sure if in Ukraine they didn’t think we all had pistols and horses waiting for us around the corner).
Going to the University of Arkansas has also given me great pride in being from Texas.
Yes, yes, I know, half the school is from Dallas. But that has given me a very satisfactory sense of community every time I’ve been on campus. It gives me an automatic connection with people I’ve never met.
And so, now, I am proud to say I am a Texan. It is not only the place I’ve officially lived the longest, but it’s the place where I’ve made lifelong friendships. It’s the place that taught me the importance of saying “yes ma’am” and “no sir.” It taught me that there is never any case in which the word “y’all” is improper. Texas has given me a sense of belonging, after years of not being sure where to say I was from. I have become aware of God’s great gifts of barbecue, sweet tea, and fried chicken. I know where the stars at night shine big and bright (careful, don’t yell it too loud). And most importantly, SEC football is now a staple part of my life.
I apologize to all those reading this who can’t say they’re from the South. Bless your little hearts.
Lord, it is hard to be humble!
Woo pig!
Claire
