Mita Lakhia

“To inhabit a place physically, but to remain unaware of what it means or how it feels, is a deprivation more profound than deafness at concert or blindness in an art gallery. Humans in this condition belong no where.” E.V. Walter, Placeways

A few days after visiting the Bob Bullock State History Museum I feel very connected to these words. The moment we walked into the museum I saw the importance of knowing who you are and where it is you come from. The museum is massive and when one walks in it can be an overwhelming experience. It takes over and leaves nothing in its place – much like the state of Texas. I have lived in Texas my whole life, born in raised in Bedford. I know my fair share of Texas history, from my seventh grade course, and although I made great grades back in the day I remember a remarkable little of the specifics of what Texas is. As we walked into the building amidst the elementary school students on field trips and the tourists from distant states who probably had no idea how many flags have flown over Texas, I knew I was about to get another glimpse into our states colorful history. The exhibits reminded me how important and why it was important to know where we come from. I have always felt a connection to history, and therefore have recently decided to pursue a minor in the department. This trip reminded me why it is important to know where you come from. The moment the Spirit Theater began a chill ran down my spine. Hokey, I know, and tad bit on the childish side, but I truly felt the awe that a child feels when expose to such history. I felt what it was like to be a Texan, what it meant and what it means in the future.

Where do you belong? What does it mean to be a Texan? How does it feel to be a Texan?

Until I left for UT last August it was my first big move. Other than that I have lived my whole life calling home Bedford, TX. When thinking about the question – where do I belong – all I can think of is home. The white brick house with the windy driveway and the rose bushes by the patio is that place that comes to mind. This place is also Texas. When walking around the museum I was struck by the first title on the wall – “colonization begins on faith.” The first Texans knew hat they wanted to be here, and they knew that Texas was full of opportunities they would not necessarily have otherwise. Texas was the fad, it was the cool place to be – after all as the Spirit theater told us, “It looked like everyone in the world was going to Texas.” This spirit that the first settlers had is still with the land and people of Texas. What does it mean to be a Texan? A Texan is strong, independent and believes in themselves. Life was hard for the first Texans, but they stayed for the promise of a better future. They knew that it was not going to be hard forever and that in the long run their hard work would pay off. Texans persevere through just about anything. I would like to believe that I still have this quality. The feeling associated with Texas is unique to our state. The pride, sense of accomplishment and knowledge about our past is not necessarily a characteristic that other states share. With so much history, Texas stands apart from other places and is proud of that fact. After all we are the only state to have been its own country, and as the Spirit theater told us, “The first word from the Moon was ‘Houston.’”

What “moral categories, moods, and conditions of morale” define Texas?

Texas is a distinctive place. The land is vast in areas, urbanized in others and covered with historical buildings in the rest. The Alamo vs. The American Airlines Center. The contrast is there but both buildings still represent what Texas is. It is a place of strength and remembrance of what came before us. Texas not only has a colorful history, but it also makes a point of remembering the facts for the future. As a place, Texas is lively, exciting, and mostly happy. We are proud of our past heroes and excited about having more to come. Oil was first struck in Texas – and more Texas spirit came out of the ground as well. When disaster strikes, such as the Hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas is also quick to recover and help out its own people. Moral is always high, and second best is just not acceptable. These “feelings, symbolic meanings, moral sentiments and intuitions” of Texas relate to its “intellectual, rational features” in many ways. Texas is filled with promise and heroes who are idealized forever. Rationally, these stories that we are told about the ancestors of Texas not leaving the Alamo and standing up for what they believe in are true and are used to add feeling to history. The way a story is told often makes all the difference and Texas stories are certainly told with pride. The symbolism behind the vast lands and with contrast the big cities is that Texans are as diverse as the land around them – and therefore are capable of surviving in difficult worlds.