| Chapter 1: | Step It Up in the Lone Star State: How Identity and Myth May Impact a Movement |
discuss some of the challenges posed by identity and myth, which may have contributed to this relatively high attrition rate across Texas.
The SIU events in Austin, San Antonio, and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex demonstrate how appeals to identity and myth can contribute to, as well as challenge, the development of social movements. Austin, Plano (a Dallas/Fort Worth suburb), and San Antonio all project a strong Texas-centric identity. To varying degrees, organizers in all three locations drew on local identity and its connection to the Texas myth to rally people around the cause of global-warming activism. The Austin event occurred on the steps of the Texas capitol, which provided a symbolic backdrop representing the seat of Texas government. The city of Plano promoted Live Green in Plano at the Cox Playhouse in recognition of the National Day of Climate Action; without an iconic setting, it was less successful in terms of numbers in attendance and raising local awareness of climate change. San Antonio rallied at the Alamo, the most revered site in Texas. Sam Houston's famous battle cry, “Remember the Alamo,” which is widely credited with filling his Texas soldiers with the necessary rage to beat Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, was only the beginning of this mythology.
We first describe how identity and myth contribute to community building, specifically as applied to social movements. To clarify our points, we briefly summarize the mythology of Texas. We then explore how SIU organizers negotiated the challenges and opportunities posed by strong identification with the Texas myth, and use our experiences as participant-researchers to suggest lessons other organizers and activists may take from the Texas events.
Identity and Myth
Identity plays a crucial role in how we view ourselves in society. As members of a community, we present ourselves to others based on our occupations, extracurricular activities, upbringing, and a multitude of other experiences. Our identities define us and enable us to differentiate ourselves from others. As such, we feel the need to guard our identity