The Side of Texas The Media Won't Show You

[@DanielAtThePark]

This is really your calling. It's Johnny harris with a tech/social angle instead of maps. Top notch production quality. This is reason we pay for YT premium, content beats typical broadcasters.

[@Stellar-Cowboy]

Johnny Harris is all fake bs, Slidebean isn’t

[@slidebean]

Ha! This is a better description of what we do than we could’ve thought of. Thanks 😊. - Caya - Caya

[@producteawithleah]

@slidebean who is your editor?

[@shaynewheeler9249]

😢😢😢😢😢

[@shaynewheeler9249]

😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@sangamchapagain160]

I have lived in smaller towns and cities in Louisiana and Texas for the past seven years. The majority of the people were Republicans, and they were some of the nicest people I have met. They are proud Americans who are honest, welcoming, and respectful to everyone. The news media tends to highlight extreme cases, which creates a different perception of people outside of cities.

[@javelin_if]

We’ll never convince career left leaners that Republicans are nice people

[@manicpepsicola3431]

I've lived in rural texas my whole life and they may be nice to you but they are actuvely judging and outcasting certain people that don't fit into a particular mold. You probably fit that mold and didn't get any bad behavior, but look slightly different and the entire attitude changes. 🤷 born and raised here there's more to them than you think

[@nwerd7584]

@@manicpepsicola3431 NEWSFLASH, those people in those same groups judge each other too, its a normal part of being human, doesnt mean I wont be nice to you unless you do something bad to me.

[@richardarriaga6271]

​@@javelin_ifYou'll get a way different experience if you are visibly trans, brown-skinned, or liberal.

[@javelin_if]

@@richardarriaga6271 Do what? /gen

[@John_McBain]

As a patriotic conservative from Texas, originally from Minnesota, I was expecting something completely different from your video. But you did am amazing job of speaking truthfully. I was a teacher in China for almost a decade. I have had students who've ended up in extremely liberal universities invite me to visit them, but in turn refuse to come to Texas to visit my family because of the lies presented to them by the media and their liberal friends. One mentioned the fear of being lynched (she is Chinese) which I laughed at, but realized she'd been convinced that it was a truth and she wasn't going to risk it. My wife, also Chinese, was surprised to hear these claims. So thank you for making this video, I hope my former students will watch it.

[@slidebean]

We also were expecting something completely different from our video :) Thanks a lot for watching it. - Caya

[@geordirendum583]

Did you vote for trump?

[@piglet7943]

They believed the liberal lies just the same way that conservatives fear Liberalism.

[@dewinmoonl]

As a Chinese who drove across the country from Boston to SF I've met only friendly folks in the "red" states. The media thrives on attention at the price of dividing people apart. Was in Texas few times, great times. 🎉

[@LongerThanAverageUsername]

You can be IN Texas while being originally FROM Minnesota but you’re not FROM Texas.

[@samtorres6087]

Native Texan here. I’m so glad you had a good experience. I currently live in a tiny west Texas town. And I love with some of the nicest most forgiven people in the country.

[@slidebean]

🫶🏽 - Caya

[@euphoricmonk]

Amarillo?

[@Tennishangman]

Native Texan: if you’re not sure which side politically is going to be mad at you, it means you’re in the middle and they’re both mad at you.

[@eastafricannomad]

Sad gang mentality

[@jonreeves3993]

Conservatives aren’t mad at this honest review, not of Texas, but of what the media wants you to believe about texas

[@rickyherna]

Haha my friends hate me for that, i always counter point and ask about middle ground solutions and they all take it as if im on either side thats opposite to them lol

[@leos4243]

What a cowards politics-a Tejano whose family has been here for centuries

[@nabrzhunter]

Naw, I’m not sure how conservatives or average Texans could be mad about this. We love Texas the way it is, which is how he portrayed it.

[@leandrewdixon3521]

As a black man from VA that has lived in Austin for 10 years, THANK YOU SO MUCH for making this. I have spent plenty of time in small town texas and have never been treated with anything other than respect. I find myself so annoyed by liberals (mostly white) who have never been to small town texas perpetuating these caricatures. Not saying it doesn't exist, but most people are kind and welcoming to all.

[@rolandogamez]

First time I visited small Texas, my white friend and his black girlfriend got lot less than respect. And they were glad it was not reversed!

[@Phisch777]

This.

[@OlabodeAdedoyin]

The world needs more of this TBH, as I travel the world more as black man. I realize I judge people way to early, based on my conceived notions of the place according to what I've heard. If we give people we meet a lot more grace. We'll find the world is beautiful place

[@bretmullins]

Hi @slidebean , I’m the country singer in the video. Congrats on your Chicken Sh$t Bingo win! What a great day under the pecan trees that was. Outstanding job on this my friend, you’re extremely talented.

[@slidebean]

Oh wow! Small world, glad you enjoyed it. Winning my first Chicken Shit bingo is something I’ll never forget! Thanks for the great tunes.

[@chinoyomaji288]

Born and raised texan here, seeing texas become a more pleasant state, society wise, comes from the realization that other states had this perception of us, and texas basically said "oh shit, we aren't that way at all" and I think that's why southern hospitality has become revived as of late, but i honestly love it.

[@anqijiang5816]

I’m Asian and have lived in a small town in a conservative state for 3months for a summer internship. I was scared at first to move there but people were nice to me. As the token minority everywhere I go, I didn’t experience any outright bias against me. However, it’s the implicit bias that over time really bothered me. If anything goes wrong, I would be the first one to be the suspect and take the blame. Constantly having to think how I’m under scrutiny is exhausting. It’s not as scary as the media depicted but I’m not moving back.

[@DigSamurai]

Yes it's the soft bigotry of low expectations.

[@Mitch3D]

Native Texan as well (DFW). Most Texan cities are wonderfully culturally diverse. In general the people are very friendly and I traveled all over rural Texas as well. The main issue I have is the massive growth and gentrification that are pushing out the non-tech workers that are working the low paying service industry jobs. Also because of their growth, the infrastructure; education, traffic, and power grid, etc hasn't caught up. It's also attracts large anti-union companies coming there to have cheaper land, cheaper labor, and tax breaks - I'm not sure it's going to help in the long run when the wealth disparity grows in these cultural neighborhoods. They still have very restrictive alcohol, gambling, and marijuana laws which I can see being changed in the near future.

[@gregorriusadolphus2729]

I am Nigerian-American born and raised in WEST TEXAS (Blue Texas). I experienced more racism living in Colorado and Ohio than I ever did in Texas. I lived in Austin for 10 years, and yes it's quirky and weird (for Texas) but don't forget there is Houston (which is blue and the most diverse city in the country), and you have Dallas/Fort Worth. I think Texans are the most genuine, friendly fun people you will meet, in ANY part of the state (with the exception of East Texas.....you'll never find me there LOL). I will say now that Austin is probably the most UNFRIENDLY city in Texas these days just because all of the newcomers who live in their tech bubble (no offense...I'm actually in tech, too).

[@josue5136]

The tech nerds are a problem. Fix it. Don’t be a problem. Don’t vote for the stupid idiotic stuff that made California or any place you ran from. Keep that in mind.

[@vikm1341]

Really? That’s interesting. To me, people in Houston are the most rude. I am currently in Austin..I don’t really go downtown though. I think its bc a lot of Californians and from other rude states are moving to Austin.

[@ezoni8438]

Ok i severely dont believe you, Im born and raised, originally in a border city, i'd watch people get shot in the streets, KKK rallies, all that shit, move away from the border and toward DFW and its honestly like i moved to norway. Move to austin and it's even better. I hate it when "enlightened centrists" go like "colorado is more racist" when they were in some backwater mountain part of radi, then they move to DFW which is one of the most diverse cities in america and go "wow texas has no racism!!". Even in san antonio my latino friends faced constant judgement especially my friend cat who was in a mixed relationship

[@ricotrejo4125]

Am a native Texan. The vibe here here basically “don’t start trouble and try to just enjoy yourself”. We don’t care what anyone does for the most part, black, white, etc

[@tcjdv]

Thank you for making this video. I'm a third-generation Austinite and a seventh-generation Texan. The politics and culture of this place are complicated, to say the least, and though I think the topic is too big to fully represent in a digestible KZbin video, you did a great job of capturing the nuance and the vibes with honesty and sensitivity.

[@TxGearhead]

I grew up around here...most people from small towns will be cordial, especially if they know you're recording. Once they think you're part of their group, i.e. think like they do, they let their guard down. I always give people the benefit of the doubt, but the overall reputation didn't pop up out of nowhere.

[@blakelzbentley]

Born and raised in Texas. I love my ability to understand both sides and respect certain aspects of both because of it. It’s not what the rest of the world thinks it is.

[@marcl7307]

If I didn’t live on the west coast, I would live in Texas. I lived there for three years and it was great. The people are prideful and some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Great job getting showing the realities rather than falling in line with the medias conjured up narrative. Could you do a video on tech’s exodus from California? I’ve seen the headlines of some companies moving out but have been curious if this migration is different from any time in the past or just a regular occurrence that is due to reverse over time.

[@richardarriaga6271]

They want low taxes, no unions, no regulations.

[@DefiantJazzEnthusiast]

I’m a progressive African American male born and raised in the South. The South does have its issues for sure and there is no sugar coating that, but the majority of people down here are good people. Ironically and anecdotally, the places where I have been most uncomfortable bc of my race has been in other so-called “progressive” areas of the country.

[@methe7738]

Have you even seen Africa ? Has either of your parents seen Africa ? Has your grandparents seen Africa ? If you answered no it probably means your just an American

[@kiyoraka3537]

@@methe7738 dawg who hurt you 😭african american is a race just like asian american or hispanic american due to genetic and cultural differences as a result of separation from their native land and mingling with other races

[@methe7738]

@@kiyoraka3537 African American is not a race. Race is the color of your skin. What if your from the Caribbean ? Are you still African American ? Hispanic American is stating an ethnicity, not the continent you’re many generations disconnected from.

[@InterstellarKev]

​@@methe7738arguing over semantics why for what purpose does your explanation add to the OP's main point?

[@methe7738]

@@InterstellarKev what does your life have to add to the world ?

[@Dragon_rls]

Well done Mr. Kaya. I’m 59 years of age, and I turned my television off in 1970. Funny thing is all of this social hatred seems to not present itself to me. I couldn’t be happier. Excellent video. Thanks for posting 👍

[@txjeb]

This needs to be a long form (2 hour plus) documentary. Thank you for actually going out, and talking to real people.

[@RLHFreeeee]

7th Generation Texan here, glad you got out and see what I know about this state and it's people. Love that you are talking and listening both. Great video!

[@twenty-fifth420]

"What comes to mind when you think of Texas?" My second home. (I am New Mexican.). But also where the undercooked Arizonians, Californians and New Mexican's go to for either cheaper housing prices or less crime. Sometimes both.

[@TheDreamWyrm]

Yeah, that's why there's no more cheap housing and skyrocketing crime rates. So...thanks.

[@twenty-fifth420]

@@TheDreamWyrm Stop working backwards from your conclusion, if you want cheap housing, abolish zoning and if you want less crime, do a mixture of imprisonment and rehabilitation services. If you want to whine and bitch, then fine but since you are not in politics trying to fix the problem, you clearly don’t know better. “This is the best we can do folks!” - George Carlin

[@Fg-ye2zp]

I’m a proud Texan, and I love this states hospitality and immense diversity, you get it in the city and in rural towns. No matter what, if you’re respectful you get respect back! 🇺🇸❤️

[@Decembersown21]

As a first-generation Latino and a "peak" millennial who spent the majority of my childhood years in NYC, and later moved to a suburb just outside of Minneapolis, MN, I find myself in my early 30s applauding this video wholeheartedly. I've come to realize that the media, often championed by 'insta-lefties' and woke/PC culture, really promotes a form of sheep or mob think. You've done an outstanding job of stress-testing your assumptions by being open to the world and seeking multiple inputs to achieve as much clarity as possible.

[@richardarriaga6271]

What do you think is PC mob think from the media?

[@boyzinadazeify]

I was born here in Austin and I can say we are true Americans we love Texas and we love our people we will protect our country and our land with every ounce of our body’s we don’t care what you are as long as your no harm to us your can join in everything we do those are facts

[@TerryMcKenzie]

Excellent work Mr. Kaya! Austin is beautiful, accepting, and innovative. Come back when you can stay longer. Thanks for the posting ....

[@matt96920]

great video! I moved to Austin a couple years ago, and I couldn't be happier. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed rural Texas as well. I don't think the former Austinite you interviewed did much traveling outside of the city, and most of his second-hand negative experiences sounded like they were borrowed directly from the news or from a like-minded friend (who also probably got it from the news). The fact that he never personally had a negative experience really tells you all you need to know. Austin is a great city, but the rest of the state is great as well. You won't find a more welcoming people.

[@profpigeon5441]

Hill country is beautiful, been in Austin 10 years and enjoy leaving and visiting other parts of Texas a lot. I’ve gotten into fishing in the hill county and coast also. People are typically cool

[@carloserodriguez2465]

This is a great video and that's why I love TX. I have been here for 6 years and never received any kind or racisms and I am also Latin with black roots. I've learn so much from this culture and how tolerant they are. Love your videos.

[@ianbrown5381]

As a Native Californian living in the south, I appreciate your honesty that the media is main culprit of fear & division 🤙🏽

[@srami004]

Appears that you haven't been to a border town. No one is going to blatantly provoke you. Their motto is if you're good to me. They're good to you.

[@SadisticallyOptimistic]

Lmao what’s wrong with that….ever heard of the golden rule?

[@thecatladytm7172]

That is generally how people work, yes

[@FirstNameBasis_]

theres hella places i haven't been in Texas because i was sheltered but i was born and raised here. ironically, ive encountered the bad side of Texas systematically at almost every turn. but theres also just as many good people in Texas who are just pure of heart. its fuckin crazy who youd meet in the various small towns ive lived in vs the big and medium sized cities.

[@funlovincriminal2052]

Wow ,just wow , in terms of opinion-based videos you've uploaded,this must be the best!

[@slidebean]

Thanks 🙏 . Can't help myself sometimes :) - Caya

[@richardarriaga6271]

Enlightened centrism. Show up being visibly trans and see how it is.

[@nabrzhunter]

Glad someone took the time and made the effort to come see who we really are. It’s wild to me the way people talk about Texas. I’ve lived here my entire life, and while I want to move to New England for the views and weather, I don’t know if I could ever bring myself to leave Texas, thanks to the people, schools, and sense of safety and goodwill here. Texan pride is a real thing and it has nothing to do with race; in fact, it brings us together. Texans love Texans who love Texas, and anyone else who loves our great state. When you hate us, though…you’ll never get to see or experience that love.

[@hugazo]

Knew Austin before the pandemic and i loved it.

[@Bbqluv7]

Should of seen it in the 90s

[@Bbqluv7]

@@pointnemo369 that would be dope

[@brentpeddy4223]

Native Houstonian. Great video! Great message . Great content. I'm now subscribed!

[@jeffxgoodman67]

Great video. I am an Austin resident and have lived in Texas my entire life because all of my family lives in Texas. The truth is that most people I knew were raised to be very racist while believing and seeming like you are not racist in the least. It’s an insidious system, almost self-perpetuating without needing to ever be overtly discussed. I’m white. I think if you asked people of color *that grew up in Texas*, I think they’d largely agree with me on this dynamic. If you want to understand this better, you’ll find the best scholarly sources at HBCUs in Texas and across the country. I think doing a follow-up from a different perspective would be amazing. Shining a light on injustice is important to fighting injustice, just as sweeping injustice under the rug compounds injustice.

[@thomasgarza-pate3830]

Born and raised Austinite here!! If you’re from Texas (regardless of being born in Austin), there’s a high chance that you have tons of family in the country still. Here’s one thing most people that are from Texas understand: ITS OKAY TO NOT LIKE SOMEONE AND THEIR VIEWS. It’s okay to agree to disagree! It’s okay to have a counter culture opinion! It’s okay to not follow an agenda of “love and peace” that hates everyone else outside of their “safe space”. We were raised learning that the world isn’t your friend so just shut up and work hard. And that’s why we have the best economy. We don’t give a shit about your beliefs, we’ll still do business with you! That’s just how we are. So don’t come running from the blueberry states trying to fuck with our Texas peach cobbler.

[@Turdinkledge]

People from Austin, despite moving here for opportunity, seem to have a superiority complex over rural Texans, which is ironic considering it is mainly driven by socio-economic differences.

[@jd76668]

Great video. Thanks for doing it with an open mind, without pre-determined story you were looking to tell and being honest in sharing what you found.

[@kairosworkshop3349]

Native Texan here! I do have to say that any major city here is going to be more left wing, but it doesn't mean people are all bad, there's plenty of good folk out here, there's just a lot of really loud bad apples, and unfortunately, those bad apples *are* dangerous. If you keep an eye out you'll be just fine haha

[@jer-bear48]

Thank You for this!!! The news “profit propaganda” and how we act on this within social media turns us against our neighbors. We must all do better!

[@eliseoarroyo2030]

Born and raised here from Texas. Never in my life have been in a racist confrontation for the color of skin (Mexican) other than some jokes here and there. Even living in a small town outside of the greater Houston area you don’t ever get the feeling of racism at all no matter where you go around Texas unless you go look for it.

[@paulmccoy6431]

Watching this makes me very proud to be a Texan. I was born and raised here, only living in. Especially New York and Pennsylvania for a combined 4 years. The amount of times I have seen Confederate flags, an intimidating amount of guns or any kind of activity synonymous with what the media has portrayed can be counted with one hand. The people in this state are unbelievable and I have witnessed the worst people outside of Texas in much blue states.

[@carvaonline]

Love nuance! We need more of it. Commenting to trick the YT algorithm into thinking this vid is showing an extreme view that triggers lots of engagement

[@slidebean]

This is the way. - Caya

[@TheRealLTJRH512]

Native Texan here. It is definitely not safe everywhere and you should be aware of how you present in certain small towns. There still are sun down towns and if you appear queer or gender fluid you may at minimum not be treated with the same respect. The division and hate is not what the media portrays but it definitely can still be there. Some of have been sensationalized to think all of suburban and rural Texas is all outright racist and militant, on the other side of the coin pockets of rural Texas have been sensationalized to think a trans person is the devil walking the earth, and a black person who doesn’t dress how they’re used to will rob them at their first opportunity.

[@thegizmolife9084]

I am a proud native Texan and I believe in what you say in the media, I understand Texas has its issues (like any place you will find on the earth). But it hurts my heart when people move here with the precognition of hating it because of what the media tells them to think. That’s when I tend to get upset about all the people who move here.

[@BiddaMeanwater]

rural texas is crazy cause this is literally the first place I've been racially profiled (i'm from colorado)

[@notandyvee]

Im still in NYC considering texas. But even where i am, never realy had issue with folks on the right. Always respectful. Bad people are going to be bad no matter which side youre on. Great video exposing this.

[@josue5136]

Don’t, we don’t want you 😂

[@notandyvee]

@@josue5136 screw you too brother.

[@vikm1341]

Um rude? We do want them

[@josue5136]

@@vikm1341 no, we don’t want any soft liberal politically correct people who vote for democrats and the same policies that made the shitty state they come from. If you come here then become a Texan and embrace Texas values. Freedom, Independence, life, and the right to bear arms and protect your family and property. Then after all that we give you friendship because in the end that’s what Texas means.

[@richardarriaga6271]

Just listen to the Texans who don't want you cropping up all the time. Xenophobia is real. This is the US, not China where residency is bound to the town your parents came from.

[@BirdseyeVu]

Wow! Refreshing perspective. Thank you!

[@bostonbragg9810]

I live in Hamilton (the little town in the shot at 12:33), I'm glad y'all had a nice time in Texas!

[@istabkiwisforfun7907]

As a native rural Texan, I have been feeling this for years. Majority of the people here are great. It’s always the minority that is the loudest and that minority is the extreme radical right wing. It’s put an extremely bad rep on my home state and it saddens me quite a lot. I just want to stress that the media coverage only shows you a snap shot of real life. And on top of that, it only shows the worst parts. There is such beauty here in texas that is being dismissed simply because of the mischaracterization from media. Always remember things are never black and white, look for the beauty in the grey.

[@astronomicatx]

What a fascinating exploration of Austin's unique character! 🌟 It's incredible how the city's vibrant energy and inclusive spirit thrive amidst contrasting political landscapes.

[@sandrinojohnsun9949]

I'm originally from Edinburg, Texas! Very different from the rest of Texas since its very homogenous and unique in its own way.

[@slidebean]

Ever been to Texas? Has your experience been similar to ours? Share your thoughts on our video. 🤠 Oh, and by the way, get a sneak peek at our new Teammate Beta with Early Access ► yt.slidebean.com/373

[@MCCamels]

The Algorithm has revived this video again. :D

[@MrOhhG]

First time I’ve seen a documentary video on a major city while filming a in different city entirely 🔥

[@SeanMatheson-n3x]

Dude, I live in the South. Visiting a small town for a day or two is not going to give you a good idea of the level of racism and xenophobia that exists in these places. Of course people aren't going to walk around in Klan garb. This isn't 1930, racism isn't as blatant today, it's coded. Most racists don't openly do racist things. Most racists don't even know they're doing racist crap, when they're actually doing racist crap. Also, living in the South, I know that the prevailing culture here is not aggressive, it's passive aggressive. People will be nice to your face, even if they deeply dislike you. Most people that move here from other places often say how friendly the people are, not realizing that many of those people actually hate them and think they're invading and ruining their home. Racist people will often tell POC how they're not racist and don't see color, while at the same time secretly seeing them as lesser human beings and voting according to that belief. Don't think because you're not seeing cross burnings and Klan rallies in plain sight on the main street means people are wrong when they say that these deep red areas aren't extremely racist. Trust the POC who actually live in these areas, not the white folks who tell you how tolerant they are when you visit their town for the weekend.

[@andrewmayfield23]

Grew up in small town texas. With a mixed school demographic of about 50/50 white and Hispanic. And a small minority black. There were definitely times where some racist things were said but those came from places of ignorance rather than hate. When i got out into the real world and interacted with peopl of other cultures it really taught me a lot. You will find racism everywhere, but as long as its not acceptable it will stay relegated to the fringes.

[@theral_24karatgarrett]

Native Texan here. I try to stay out of all controversy and politics as much as possible. It sucks that everyone has to be so divided over some subjects that don’t really affect the quality of living in the long run.

[@FarisC00Li0]

Great amazing video; however, you missed some major story points. Trilogy Systems was the Paypal Mafia of Austin. It led to many of the vibrant companies in Austin getting created. On top of that, you completely missed your chance to talk about Capital Factory and Joshua Baer. Josh used to work at Trilogy Systems and single handedly accelerated the Austin tech scene by creating Capital Factory. Without him there would be zero social infrastructure in place to allow ATX to scale to a Silicon Valley competitor.

[@panamerican0]

It's a shame that the coverage from El Salvador didn't do well with the algorithm, it was really well done!

[@brandonlett]

Good video. As a small town Texan (Hallsville), I can say that while I don't agree with some of your positions, I bet we agree on more than the media and most people think.

[@slidebean]

I think the point of the video is we can disagree, and still sit down for a beer.

[@DanilKV]

Great video and story, Caya!

[@jonnydelnorte]

I want to say we need more videos like this but I think that isn’t the true remedy for this problem. I think people just need more face time with life.

[@danivc9878]

Maeee... Vieras que tuanis se siente escucharlo decir I am a Costa Rican! So proud for you my bruh! keep spreading the good vibe and being an example for the new outcomers in business. 33 years here and feeling inspired. Pura Vida! amazing Work and documentary! the opposite view in the mirror.

[@JustaGamerT2]

I know this is primarily focused on Austin, but what most Americans may not know is Houston is the fourth largest cities and the most diverse city in America in terms of most spoken languages and race.

[@bqb9591]

Just because it is diverse doesn't mean that Houston and the state of Texas is not still segregated by race and what races have what jobs etc.

[@JustaGamerT2]

@@bqb9591 You’re just making sh*t up. Stop being ignorant.

[@azulaquaza4916]

⁠@@JustaGamerT2I mean he’s not wrong, look at your better twin Dallas 😂 Blacks in the South, Whites and Asians in the North/Uptown, Latinos and Blacks in the west

[@JustaGamerT2]

@@azulaquaza4916 self segregation is not the same as segregation. You just disproved your point by saying both Asians and whites are in the north and Latinos and black are in the west. The local government isn’t force anyone to live anywhere. Are Chinatown’s racist now for having communities catering to Asians? Are gated communities preventing black people from owning homes within them?

[@azulaquaza4916]

@@JustaGamerT2 Boy wtf are you on about lmao it’s common sense segregation obviously isn’t enforced.

[@captainofiron]

this is such a great video and really resonated with me, I am Mexican, moved here when I was a kid, and in the 80s there was some racism type stuff, but just dumb name calling. But for the most part people are friendly and welcoming IF you are respectful and friendly yourself I think you hit the nail on the head, most Texans seem like they are more libertarian and protective of individual responsibility and freedoms, not just the far right extremist caricatures that texans are portrayed as. But having centrists that lean right on some stuff is probably not an article that will sell a lot of ad space for "news" companies haha

[@imfnsick]

I’m glad you made this video I’m from central Texas area (Temple).

[@_el_louie_213]

Thanks for making this… AS A BROWN MAN I LOVE TEXAS!

[@kodo936]

Based video. Welcome to Texas

[@thecatladytm7172]

Native Austinite here and wow I was really scared at the start of this video. Id be willing to bet from the framing that we are on opposite sides politically, but that doesnt mean anything to me as long as people treat each other like people. On either side, not knocking that discrimination happens just that its a lot rarer like you said. And it does go both ways, my high school had a pro-abortion walk out after the Roe v Wade repealing got leaked that numbered probably 200 students at least? They filled at least 1/3 of the courtyard, so maybe more. I counter protested at first completely alone, then with 3 other girls who joined me. We nearly got punched in the face, my backpack and sketchbook (which I used to write my signs) were almost and successfully stolen respectively. Sketchbook was stomped on, we were nearly spit on. A school officer had to stand next to us because people were attempting to get physical, like I said. It was frankly terrifying. But even then, the teacher organizing the event told the kids when it first started that "if we have a right to be here and do this, she has a right to be here and do that, too." Which honestly? Props. No idea who it was, never met her before. I did get called to the office once it ended, and despite the jeering of my classmates I wasnt in trouble, they were concerned for my safety. I dont have any social media, so they couldnt do squat to me except in person. After hearing stories of colleges kicking students out for differing beliefs I really was scared I would be suspended quite literally one week (week and a half ish) before I graduated. Anyways, youre not here for my life story 😅 Though, I guess it is relevant to the message of polarization. These were all kids. Mostly faces I didnt know, meaning most of them were probably younger than me. Literal hundreds of 14-17 year olds ganging up on 4 girls. I was simply there to counter protest and hopefully state my case to anyone who would listen, and I was met not with logical debate, but crude acts of violence and immaturity. Because they were taught that people that think like me are the enemy. And I find it absolutely tragic that students (myself included) felt the need to be involved.

[@vikm1341]

Im a Texan and there is definitely racism in Texas. Not all of Texas is safe. I grew up in a north west suburb/town of/near Houston and they would always hate on Mexicans and muslims. Trucks where always with those confederate flags and those pickup trucks. And sometimes I would hear them say “go back to your country “ to people that wore hijabs. Austin probably NOT because it leans more “left”. I was mixed race and I didn’t feel safe there. I left that area. Stereotypes don’t come out of thin air. Also in Houston some random white old man got mad at my mom because she had a accent and started banging a cart so hard against her car that it damaged the side door where she was at. We reported it. I just don’t like that area. Im not sure if people there think that behavior is normal or what. Because that’s how they acted. But im glad I left that area. Lot of agressive people there. But Austin is a lot better. It depends where it is.

[@vikm1341]

I also saw confederate flags in Galveston Texas. I think the closer you get to Louisiana you see more of that.

[@CrushOnFire13]

I was born and raised in south Austin. My family owned acres of land from 1969-2015 when we were forced out due to rising property taxes. Austin USED to be weird and accepting of everyone. Now the lower class are pushed out and we hate rich foreigners for making it impossible for us to keep our homes. Go away tech companies. Austin is so more than just downtown. I really wonder how many original Austinites are left… 😔

[@rickyherna]

Oh buddy austin hasn’t been “weird” in a long time

[@lowdmedia]

People see what they want to and project it. Perfect example at 6:50 "A bunch of white men will show up in pickup trucks and wave around guns." He is referring to a peaceful activist group that gathers to promote the second amendment and the right to self defense. They definitely don't "wave around guns" and the group is not "a bunch of white men." It is actually mixed race, mixed gender, and very welcoming. A large portion of the attendees are Hispanic. One of the prominent leaders of the group is Michael Cargill. A local gun store owner who is black and openly gay.

[@AdamM]

This was great. Thanks for the video and I gotta go watch the El Salvador one now as well. 🎉

[@Efegaming1]

Incredible vid

[@egal1780]

Sweet Caroline at the start is a great memory

[@slidebean]

The closest thing to a country song I thought I could sing. - Caya

[@benf1111]

In the 70's, I grew up in a small town suburb of Houston that had the progressive idea of putting the GATE elementary school in a black neighborhood so that integration would be chosen by white families wanting to send their kids to the best school in town. It was a great experience. And the majority of the top students at both highschools went to that one elementary school. People from outside the state make a lot of assumptions. Its not as black and white as we're told.

[@israelquito3072]

THANKS FOR THE INFO KAYA!!👍👍👍👍

[@JonathanMontgomery77]

I don't know how partisan loose zoning laws are but I definitely am in favor of loose zoning. Loose zoning makes for dense and real neighborhoods. It allows for neighborhood bars and bodegas to pop up. It creates walkable third places. Houston has a huge sprawl and way too much parking though for that to be realized.

[@BenDoesCoolStuff]

great video!

[@key_after_key]

0:11 I’ve actually seen that “Trump” plane on the road to Austin. I don’t really support either president but I found it pretty funny, especially because they used an equally old but much more damaged plane with “Biden” painted on it. I take it the owner of these planes is some Trump worshipper but I give it an A for effort simply because it’s kinda stupid and funny

[@alitaghavi4430]

Great video! Thank you

[@flavoredwaters]

If you aren’t sure which is is going to be mad at you. They’re both mad at you for not being sure the other will be mad

[@millennialmoneymaking7719]

I’m to Texas and I am a minority from the north east and I love it! I experienced way more racism in the north east then Texas which I haven’t experienced any racism at all in 4 years

[@0xmg]

Your content is amazing as always 💯

[@jaredlaster7339]

99% of Texas isn't bad or racist. I grew up in a small east Texas town and went to a school that was around 65-70% black. Small town Texas is so misrepresented in the media. That said, there are pockets of bad apples out there just like any other state. Thanks for making this. Great video!

[@furykillerBZ]

One of your best

[@slidebean]

Thanks

[@sarakeyes5687]

Thanks for showing that we're not a unified bunch of extreme right morons. Texas is an amazing place mostly full of kind, generous, open-hearted people!! I stood up and f***ing CHEERED at about 8:20

[@RobinEHHoard]

As always a good point of view

[@zkiyyeller3525]

Thank you! Great job.

[@matthewao]

Phenomenal video. You delivered such an important message. Thank you for sharing.

[@slidebean]

Thank _you_ for watching 🙂 - Caya

[@larrytrum8388]

I'm from Illinois and has been living in a san antonio suburb for about a year now and I definitely remember everyone telling me it's racist ect but when I got here I was surprised in how nice the people are.. I might get looks when I'm out but I don't automatically think it's because I'm black but because of my Illinois traditions lol🖤😭

[@rolandogamez]

I want to know more about that map with the 100th meridian highlighted

[@RealTJS]

I grew up in Detroit and moved to Texas in my 30's. I saw more racism in Michigan than I ever have in Texas.

[@benf1111]

SXSW was around way before '97

[@etc115]

There should be so much more views on it.

[@redwavez3436]

Great video

[@mattkuhn6634]

As a native Texan and an Austin resident for over 20 years, you've kind of stumbled upon the paradox of the state: people will treat you individually well, while voting for people who treat you collectively like trash. On an individual level, you're Kaya, and there's not gonna be a single person out there I think who will treat you poorly because you're Salvadoran. However, the category you belong to, that is Hispanic immigrants, are treated like an invading army. When they vote, they think of "the bad ones," but you're obviously an exception, you're not one of "them." Even so, most of those people aren't motivated by racial hate, they're motivated by ideas of fairness, and legitimate fears, both economic and personal, which are stoked by the media and politicians. Similarly, people on the left think there's no valid use for a gun, that they shouldn't be legal at all. They think every gun owner is like those guys you talk about at the capital every few months, people who are practically salivating at the idea of being able to get away with killing somebody, but literally not a single gun owner I know is like that. We have a lot more in common than we have differences, but harmony doesn't win elections. Another problem is that our state politicians don't try and run the state the way we the people want, they run the state based on culture war issues, trying to win national brownie points instead of making life better for Texans. Case in point is refusing the medicare expansion, all that does is make life worse for Texans, especially for struggling people out in the rural areas that are supposedly their base, but god forbid the Democrats get a "win."

[@interspect_]

Great video!