Whatever one may think about Texas Aggies (I am a die-hard Baylor man, myself), there is one characteristic about this rather strange group that is admirable -- they are serious about observing and honoring our state's cherished traditions.
Yesterday was San Jacinto Day in Texas. On April 21 of each year, we are called to commemorate Sam Houston's victory over Santa Anna and the Mexican army at San Jacinto, a victory that ended the Texas Revolution and confirmed Texas as an independent nation. Each year, Texas Aggies "muster" in honor of this day, and from what I can tell, they are about the only group that takes a moment to recall the heroes of Texas independence.
For that gesture I am grateful.
March 2 also passed unobserved in most corners of the state. Banks, courthouses and offices were open for business as usual. But March 2 also is a special day in Texas history. It is the date upon which Texas patriots declared their independence from Mexico and gave voice to the revolution that already had begun.
Four days later, on March 6, the Alamo fell. That day was not observed, either.
As a direct descendant of an Alamo defender, I am more than a bit disturbed at the lack of respect shown for our state's history. Texas law requires all public schools to instruct students in Texas history (the only state I know of that makes such a requirement), but it seems as though the lessons are taught but then quickly forgotten.
We observe Cinco de Mayo (Mexico's Independence Day), Martin Luther King Day and Cesar Chavez Day, but we do not observe those special days in Texas history that have played a major role in making us what we are. March 2, 1836; April 21, 1836; and January 1, 1846 (when Texas officially joined the United States, although the Articles of Annexation were adopted some months earlier) are all special days in our history.
I am a native Texan, and my roots are deep in the Heart of Texas. I am proud of my Texas heritage, and I consider myself, along with all of my fellow Texans, to be unique. We are not part of the run-of-the-mill from Iowa, New Jersey, or California. We are Texans! And that makes us special.
Whatever our differing political philosophies may be, it's high time we began to understand and accept the responsibility of our heritage and call upon our elected officials to declare these special days as days of observance.
If you agree, make your voice heard. You can do that by posting or otherwise distributing this blog item or by contacting your State Representative and Congressman.
As succinctly stated in the Baylor University motto, "Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana!"
R. David Weaver
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Hello & Amen David!
ReplyDeleteI am a 5th generation Texan. Two of my g-g grandfathers were early TX settlers. I am a HUGE genealogist and am VERY proud of my heritage. Our family still owns an original parcel of land my g-g grandfather owned that was passed down to us. The original land deeds were/are in Spanish.
My kids are incensed that their schools spend so much time on Cinco De Mayo (which they say isn't even celebrated in Mexico) and "Black History Month", but there is NO time that is spent celebrating OUR heritage in this state! TX History is a required subject, but there is no celebration of the important days you mention. That is tragic. We are allowing special interest groups to overrun our schools and dictate THEIR agenda in what the schools teach.
Somewhere along the line, we have been whipped into some kind of submission. Our forefathers must be rolling over in their graves that we have allowed this to happen. They fought for what they believed in and sadly, we do not follow their example.
I have advocated in our school district that our heritage be celebrated, to no avail. My kids have, too. I am sending e-mails today as you have suggested. We would be remiss to our children & grand-children and the memories of our forefathers if we did not.
Thanks for this - sometimes we forget the important things & our children and grand-children need to know their heritage & be proud of it. We used to have "Go Texan Day" on March 21st in Houston, where I grew up. Maybe we need to advocate that we celebrate that here in N. Texas!!