Gulf Coast Region - Live there? How is it?

U.S.A. Texas

Published

Hello,

Considering eventually moving to the Texas gulf coast area. Any of you live there? What do you think of it?

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Camelhappy1,

I'm seeing that [race/cultural issue] becoming a bigger and bigger problem in Texas all over... :(

Hi there,

I need a little help with this one. I am from Chicago and we have a variety of different cultures, (for me, race as a word has lost its meaning). So, I really do not catch the drift here. Is it racial tension between cultures, ?Mexican American, Euro American and Black African American? Or what exactly is it? Is it discrimination against job opportunities or more like such racial tension that if your neighbor is different then you and they cannot communicate as equals for fear of hatred or what?

Growing up we had everyone in our house, between the friends and coworkers of my father, grandfather, mother and our neighbors I didn't experience racism until I was about 11 or 12, (maybe that is the norm for us, when we reach the age of logic and awareness or somethign).

Okay, please help me out with more specifics. Vagueness is not going to help a Chicagoan when you mention race:) So much diversity here which I do welcome.

Thanks!

Gennaver

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Im intersted in Brownsville. I have been offered a wonderful position with world heath. The position is for 13 weeks. What is the area really like is it a bad as everyone makes it to be. I am traveling alone and I am from Ontario Canada. I would appreciate any input here? I would be going early March. I just completed a one year contract in west Texas Midland Odessa area and I really would love to head back. I am just concerned that I am in a safe environment. Thanks....:)

Hello Irene,

How was Odessa?

Thanks,

Gennaver

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.
Hi there,

I need a little help with this one. I am from Chicago and we have a variety of different cultures, (for me, race as a word has lost its meaning). So, I really do not catch the drift here. Is it racial tension between cultures, ?Mexican American, Euro American and Black African American? Or what exactly is it? Is it discrimination against job opportunities or more like such racial tension that if your neighbor is different then you and they cannot communicate as equals for fear of hatred or what?

Growing up we had everyone in our house, between the friends and coworkers of my father, grandfather, mother and our neighbors I didn't experience racism until I was about 11 or 12, (maybe that is the norm for us, when we reach the age of logic and awareness or somethign).

Okay, please help me out with more specifics. Vagueness is not going to help a Chicagoan when you mention race:) So much diversity here which I do welcome.

Thanks!

Gennaver

I am from Texas and we have some friends that have moved downhere from Detroit. They said that they have never seen racism until they have moved here. I think that is very said, but I have seen it happen and I can say that it is true.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
I am from Texas and we have some friends that have moved downhere from Detroit. They said that they have never seen racism until they have moved here. I think that is very said, but I have seen it happen and I can say that it is true.

Hi Kiyatylese,

Please share with me, racism from whom to whom??? What is going on? Thanks,

Gen

p.s. I mean, here in Chicago we have drive by shootings where people are killed for being in the wrong place at the right time, what kind of stuff is happening by you?

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Specializes in home & public health, med-surg, hospice.

Hey Gennaver,

Didn't mean to intentionally be vague. However, with discrimination or racial/cultural tensions it can be just that, often it is expressed in an subtle display so it is hard to put your finger on it.

I have seen outright racism here. Especially growing up, there was a lot of racism against African-Americans. I don't see that near as much now. There has been more of a blending of cultures there, between white & black. It's kind of ironic actually because if you look at the descriptive characteristcs of the African-American culture, you will find they closely resemble the Southern culture in general. Integration of the school systems has really helped break down a lot of those barriers (imo).

Now, more than anything, I see a lot of tension between the Mexican-American and the English-speaking cultures. It's a difficult thing for me to describe. Now that there is a greater incidence of immigration, the communities [Latina] are becoming more sufficient in meeting their own needs within their communities and there is a decreased need to assimilate into the preexisting dominant, English-speaking communities. This in turn, has created a greater division between the two.

For example, when my sister-in-law, who is of Mexican descent, was growing up the girls in her family were forbade from speaking or learning Spanish because her family felt it would be a disadvantage to them. They also encouraged their daughters to marry white men. And it's weird because I have even heard them refer to newly, immigrated Mexican persons as "wetbacks" and other derogatory names. To me, this is craziness and sad, I just don't understand it. However, when I look at where they were coming from at the time, when there were hardly any other Spanish-speaking ppl living in the area and all of their needs were dependent upon the predominant culture, I guess they felt they had to sacrifice their heritage to survive. Now, though, many ppl can meet their needs without ever having to learn English and thus chose not to. Also, I feel that many ppl are here not because they just love America and want to become citizens but rather are escaping conditions in their native country which are proverty-stricken and riddled with corruption by their govt. officials. What I'm saying is, they are coming here because they have to not because they want to. And they still love who they are, who their families are and what they came from - their heritage, and thus don't want to lose it.

Diversity can be a great thing when one (all) group (groups) works (work) with and recognizes (recognize) the contributions of the other. However, when there is no give & take between them, it seems as if it can lead to discord and mistrust, this in turn becomes the only thing that unites them - mistrust of the other. Does this make sense?

As far as your question to safety. I'm afraid I'm probably not the best to answer. I work in a city of only about 85,000 population. I have worked home health and not felt uncomfortable working in communities where I am a minority. That said, are there places I wouldn't go after dark? Uh, yeah, but I don't think it's a race issue but rather a poverty issue and the unfortunate ills that go with it. :(

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Genn,

Hey Gf I was acctually an hour north east in Big Spring I loved it really small town atmosphere very friendly. I cant wait to get back to Tx. I am looking forward to heading further south. I love the Ocean and I never did get down to the gulf when I was there. Odessa has everything you would want but for the shopping you need to get to Midland tis only a fem Mins. up the interstate...

Ttyl take care..

Irene

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.

Irene and Kelly,

Thanks for taking the time. I do get it now. I understand the projection and self-identity rejection of first then second generation immigtrants. I am a mixed cultured person myself and at nearly 40 years old, have gone through several stages towards self acceptance.

Yes, it is very deeply entrenched and in the psyche of many generations and integration into a culture causes many strains that vascillate from mere acculturation, (living as one's own culture while getting along and associating well within a larger society of another culture) versus outright assimilation, (which I detest, "the collective" so to say). Assimilation and projecting self doubts of acceptance while adopting a false consciousness would be a good reason why a second generation would call her own countrywomen, "wetbacks". It is a phase that I hope those relatives outgrow and mature beyond.

Thank you again for explaining that the tension was black/white/brown.

Gennaver

p.s. in my own family we have had the "do not ever speak French!" also as well as the Native American mix where we were told, "Don't tell anyone you are Native" for fear we would turn into hippies in the 70s, growing towards self-acceptance includes self-awareness even on a societal level, good luck!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Okay, please help me out with more specifics. Vagueness is not going to help a Chicagoan when you mention race:) So much diversity here which I do welcome.
My statements might be construed as controversial, but here goes...

I have personally noticed that the small towns of Far East Texas (along the borders of Arkansas and Louisiana) tend to be filled with racism toward black people and illegal Mexican immigrants. Also, the KKK still has a strong grip on a few of these communities.

I have noticed that the small towns of South Texas are experiencing culture clashes between native English-speaking Texans and newly-arrived Latinos.

If you're that worried about experiencing racism, my suggestion is to move to a mid-sized to large city. Stay away from the small towns. I am a nonwhite person with concerns about hatred so I choose to live in a large metro area where, hopefully, diversity is the norm. I am from Southern California, which has a racially-tolerant culture most of the time.....

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
My statements might be construed as controversial, but here goes...

....

Hi,

No worries about being controversial. As I see it, you are calling it like you see it. I also appreciate the responses that people sent out.

Silence over something ugly doesn't make it any less ugly. Prejudice, hatred and intolerance are not good, calling it like it is, in my opinion, doesn't mean that you are endorsing it.

Speaking out is pretty much the first step OUT of denial and things cannot be dealth with as adults as long as they are in the shadows of secrecy and denial.

Thanks for posting,

Gennaver

p.s. I am still exited and hope to get to relocate!

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
... Also, the KKK still has a strong grip on a few of these communities.

.....

Glad to have the heads up on this, they scare the crap out of me!! I live very near the Indiana border and I heard that theie grand poopbah lived in IN.

Yikes, while I do look fair/fair and fair they scare me big time!

I will indeed stay away from the small towns, (or use the most greatest caution!) Holey criminey and I ever so glad that you did speak up. Thank you, I may have had a devestating experience!

Gen

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Specializes in home & public health, med-surg, hospice.

Silence over something ugly doesn't make it any less ugly. Prejudice, hatred and intolerance are not good, calling it like it is, in my opinion, doesn't mean that you are endorsing it.

I very much agree. :)

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Just a reply to those talking about McAllen and Brownsville. I live in McAllen and it is better than most places in the valley. I wouldn't work in Brownsville for anything. But that is just my opinion. I did several clinical over there since I went to UTB there. The nurses were rude and the pay was bad from what I understood. I have several nurses complain of having up words of 15-16 patients in the hospital at one time and no support staff. If you are seeking work locally I have heard good things about Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco and Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen.

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