Unnecessary divide




Mary Henkel Judson

Mary Henkel Judson

It is unfortunate that there are some who think that because you weren’t born and raised here you can’t love or care about Port Aransas – its past, its present or its future – just as much as the natives.

We’ve lived in Port Aransas for 33 years – more than half my life. It is home and we love it and care deeply for it. We cherish its past, embrace the present and hope we have a vision, as a community, that will make its future bright for all.

Going forward, change is inevitable, and Port Aransas already has changed dramatically. Not all that change has been good – it hasn’t been all bad, either.

The rapid growth and development of Port Aransas have been the catalysts for most of the changes. That growth likely will continue, and how we grow and adapt to that growth will make the difference in the quality of life for residents and visitors in the years to come.

In order to insure the best possible future for us, we must look ahead not just 10 years, but 20, 30 and even 50 years. That requires vision; it requires knowing what we don’t know and knowing when it’s time to seek expert advice. It requires an open mind – open to the technology and trends of the future, to changes in climate that ultimately will affect us, and changes in transportation and communication.

None of that has anything to do with whether someone is a native or not.

To assume that because an individual is a native he or she knows what’s best for Port Aransas has no basis in reality.

Non-natives are just as capable as natives of loving Port Aransas unconditionally and seeking what is best for the community we all love.

The voices of natives should be heard because they have experiences and a perspective unique to them and the history of Port Aransas.

At the same time, the voices of newcomers should be heard as well because they have valuable and diverse experiences to bring to the conversation.

To pit non-natives against natives is counterproductive as well as unnecessarily divisive.

Mary Henkel Judson is editor and co-publisher of the South Jetty. Contact her at editor@portasouthjetty.com, (361) 749-5131 or P.O. Box 1117, Port Aransas, TX 78373.


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