H5384 - Blog Response 1

I enjoyed browsing T. R. Fehrenbach’s Lone Star. Traditionalist or whatever he is called, Fehrenbach obviously has a knack for storytelling. He particularly brings the Old Americans back to life in his chapter, “The Amerinds.” One of the few criticisms Fehrenbach deserves, as has already been pointed out by James and Jeromy, is his claim that Old Americans may have descended from a Caucasoid race and not Asian. But given today’s DNA technology, that is an easy Fehrenbach and Lone Star fact to dispute. 

While more time and space may have been devoted to the nineteenth century, instead of categorizing this as a component of the traditionalist school of thought, the fact is that the nineteenth century encapsulates more history than the times preceding. I disagree that Fehrenbach believed that little of interest occurred in Texas prior to 1820; his treatment of “The Amerinds” is sweeping, and would be fascinating even for non-scholarly readers. Also, “Coronado and Comanches” provides an insightful history of Spanish contact with American Indians.

As for Texas exceptionalism, I hardly have a neutral opinion, having lived my entire life in the state. So, I’ll try and explain it from my point of view. I think many Texans identify themselves as Texans before Americans. I have a friend who moved to England several years ago. When the English ask where she is from, she always answers, “Texas.” To which, her new English friends immediately know exactly where she is from. Would the same be true if she answered Arkansas, Missouri, or Vermont? My point is, Texas has its own identity, even outside of our own country. If Texas has its own identity, then Texans themselves have their own distinct reputation. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to why Texans see themselves or their state as exceptional. I think it is the combination of many different legacies, from early nineteenth century settlers pushing the frontier right up against the Apache and Comanche Indians, the cry, “Remember the Alamo!” to the grassy knoll. Texans are part of what makes Texas exceptional; so using “Texas” exceptionalism as the preferred word choice combines the land, the history, and the people. Very interesting primer question! As I just told my husband, who was born and raised in Louisiana, to understand Texas exceptionalism, you have to be a Texan, or at least have been lucky enough to marry one.