As I sit here packing my bags for a 5 day trip to the country of Texas, I am regaled with the memories of growing up in that country. In a small town just two and a half hours North West from San Antonio, my hometown of Menard laid nestled in the heart of West Texas. Growing up in Menard was nothing short of exciting. We got our first stop light in 1986, competitive football started in the 5^th grade complete with homecoming and cheerleaders, fishing was great especially for catfish, 4-H and FFA were events that the entire school district closed down for, I did not realize that nigger was a derogatory term until the 2^nd grade being that I was the only “nigger” in a 60 mile radius, my former junior high principal was a former Grand Dragon and referred to me as “Colored” and “Boy,” in the 6^th grade a friend of mine came dressed as a KKK member complete with a noose and won first place, and the best part of growing up in Menard was that I would always get all the watermelon and chicken I ever wanted at every potluck.

Wow, what a fun time. I just can’t wait to go back. But, you say, things have changed, its 2008, Texas is a new country and open to all Negroes, Mexicans, and Orientals… right? Well, maybe. Maybe in places like Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio where intercultural competence is actually practiced at intermediate levels. But in small towns where the population barely reaches 1500, good old fashioned red-neckism and racism still abide greatly to this day.

I am further cautioned by the signs that many small towns in Texas have as you enter the town right next to the Boy / Girl Scout and church signs that state “If you’re colored, don’t be out after midnight.” That seems to concern me and my natural tan. Moreover, my wife is White and my daughter, well, she’s a Blacxi-mexi-whiteacan and I was told, not too long ago on another visit to this country, that “race mixin was not natural and or biblical.”

Oh, I ‘m sure we’ll be fine. It’s 2008, and there are many who would agree that racism died out years ago. More importantly, this is all just a figment of my imagination, I’m just paranoid. That being said, when my wife and I make trips to Southern states, I typically have her speak to the police when we’re pulled over, I let her go into stores that are just off the interstate, and we keep to the main highways unless we are with other people. That is not to say I wouldn’t get involved if something were to pop off, I’m simply trying to avoid the “pop-off.”

I’m sure this is hard for many of you to understand how all this feels when approaching countries like Texas. But for people that look like my family and I, there is just a little hesitation and apprehension when going on those lonely farm roads that lead to my grandmother’s place—that is the whole purpose of this visit.

As I prepare my passports for this trip, I just wanted to share some thoughts here as I reflect on a good childhood (overall) and the thought of going back to a town that has given me mixed feelings and emotions upon entering it. It’s one of the many reasons why we live in LA—which I’m sure some would call a country in and of itself too! All that said, I’m sure we’ll be fine—after all I’ll just have more lecture material for my minorities in America class!

I guess the real questions I keep asking myself is, how do I live out a Gospel message in this type of climate? And, how do I stay authentic in these types of worldviews? We’ll see…more on this, I’m sure!