Some things about austin

Maybe because I'm new to Austin, or maybe because I like to think about places and why I'm in a particular place (or not), I do a lot of reading about Austin. And some writing. In light of the recent bombings in Austin, I wanted to just share some of the articles that have recently caught my attention or that I've come across in research. (I would do this on Storify if it weren't closing down . . .)

This one about Cody Wilson, the man who created the 3D gun, undetectable by by metal detectors, is one of the most disturbing: Cody Wilson, Austin's Edgelord Prince. 

"How I Navigate the Overwhelming Whiteness of Austin" by Doyen Oyeniyi discusses the little-discussed segregation of Austin.

The history of Keep Austin Weird, which came about during the rapid explosion in Austin's population, which brought with it, of course, gentrification.

Religion, immigration and the Confederacy: less about Austin than about Texas. But Austin is the state capitol, and so it is the site of enactment and protest.

The Radical Theology that Could Make Freedom of Religion a Thing of the Past (Lt. Gov Dan Patrick an insidious and powerful practitioner)
Austin is a sanctuary city
Hate groups, Nazis and schools
Confederate monuments at the state capitol
and, of course, guns

Like any place, Austin and Texas are more than the sum of their negative parts. And I find much hopeful about how the state is changing. The activism here is mind blowing. Changes here bode well for change in this country. So a bit of that, too. The Resistance Against Donald Trump Begins in Texas by Greg Cesar, the youngest person to be elected to Austin City Council.

Nonetheless, someone is planting bombs in Austin: (as of this writing, the most recent update on the bombings).