We’ve all seen that movie – the movie of someone from Texas wearing cowboy boots, riding a horse through the desert. We remember the incredible fight scene at a local saloon with their handheld guns and cowboy hats. But what percent of this is true?
If you are interested, you may want to read the works of Carl R. Brush, an author known for his novels set in Texas. But for now, how do we know what is fact and what is fiction? Here are some misconceptions about Texas that are false:
Texas is a Desert
The biggest misconception is that it’s a dry and dusty prairie with a scorching sun all year round; However, not all parts are deserts. Sure, some parts of Texas might look like that, but some areas, such as those in the countryside, are green most of the year. There are even places with forests and swamplands in the East of Texas.
Texas has more landscapes and climates than some countries. So while it is true that you may find some of the hottest deserts in Texas, like the Chihuahua Desert, you’ll also find other landscapes like the coastal plains of Corpus Christi, Central Hill Country, and the chaparral scrub past San Antonio,
Texans look like TV Cowboys
The spunky cowboy hat with the cool boots matched with the rope hanging on the belt or a cool-looking revolver is what we often imagine when we think of a typical TV cowboy. However, assuming that all Texans or most Texans would look like this doesn’t seem right. This idea is more of a stereotype that most people have.
Though a few choose to dress like that, most of the time, this is not always true. If “cowboy-style clothing” is worn for fashion, these are usually paired with other “Western” pieces and are used to style an outfit. Some dress like “cowboys” because they have a farm and need to do farm work. Several Western wear stores can also be found in Texas.
Texans ALWAYS love guns
Contrary to common belief, not all people there are pro-guns or have guns in their own homes. Texas has led the nation to do background checks on people who wish to carry firearms. Though there is a common belief that Texans always love their guns, they are similar to most Americans who believe that the government should still regulate guns.
According to research, a survey shows that 52% of Americans believe gun regulations should be stricter. In a survey by the University of Texas, around 52% of Texans also share the same belief. Though it may be true that some Texans may own guns, there is a lack of evidence to suggest that a vast majority of Texans own guns. Only 36% of Texans own a gun in their home, strikingly similar to the 34% of Americans who have a gun in their home.
Texans love the Bible
Texas is famous for being “America’s Bible Belt State.” However, according to research, 31% of Texans are Evangelical Protestants, so it does not always mean that many Texans follow or read the Bible. It’s not the center of all Evangelical America. The largest single religious groups are Catholics, and 70% are Latinos.
Texas is the center of illegal immigration
This belief often started with Trump’s administration, where he stated that he wanted to make a wall that prevented illegal immigrants from entering the United States through Texas. According to them, it was believed that 50% of murders in Texas were linked to illegal aliens. However, most Texas Republicans knew that these allegations were often wrong. Unauthorized immigration has plateaued, and there has been a shortage of laborers initially filled by workers from Mexico decades ago.
Texas can “divorce” itself from the United States
Many people insist that this is possible in the Texas constitution based on the “Treaty of Annexation” papers. However, this treaty is not valid and does not exist in the current constitution. Even the tiniest hint of this idea is not there. On the other hand, what is present is the ability for Texas to divide itself into five states. This could most likely be done by dividing it into North, South, East, West, and Central Texas, but it is implausible to happen in future years.
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