Are you ashamed of the state you live in?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

97. No, I am not ashamed.

Texas is vast and it's beautiful. From our fragrant pine wood forest, to our amazing hill country with its lakes, tall grass prairies and their stunning wildflowers, to our rugged mountainous regions and our southern plains. And, Texas is filled with the influence of various cultures which has shaped its food and architecture.

No, I'm not ashamed to live here, even if it means I have to work hard to counter the brainwashing, hate and manipulation which the current Republicans have instilled.

I'm proud of the people I know, and am actively working with to change my home state of Texas to a battleground state. We're tough, we know the work ahead of us, and we're still taking it on. We're from all different walks of life, many of us even have the same Texas drawl I hear mocked repeatedly. We're young and old, we represent every nationality in the state. We're progressives, liberals, and moderates. We all work together with open minds toward one goal. Changing our leadership.

I've never been more proud of my state than I am since I became a part of Battleground Texas. I've learned a great deal about Texans in these past few months. One of the lessons I learned was not to stereotype people or regions. I learned that after meeting a cowboy from a rural district who does the rodeo circuit, who just happens to be a proud Democrat to his very core who volunteers in his spare time for the cause.

I won't let my politicians berating me and belittling me make me feel like I matter less here ever again. The same goes for the media which lets them get away with the hate and lies they propagate. They want me to be ashamed, to be beaten down, to give up and give in. I'm not, and I won't. Eventually we tenacious Texans working for change will succeed. Then, when it's easier to say in public I'm not ashamed of Texas, I plan on helping other people in repressive states be set free as well.