Tulia Talks Back
Doyle Ozment
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The filmmakers did a good job of depicting a small West Texas town and farming community in the documentary, especially the early dawn and sunset shots of the train and the monument at the square. The quiet nature of our small town was captured in parts of the film.
However, I would liked to have seen more interviews with jurors that were actually involved in the trials [following the 1999 drug sting]. I do realize from visiting with people in our community, most people do not want to talk to the media because in the past what was said to reporters was twisted, parts were omitted and complete interviews not reported if they were of a positive nature. So, people have become leery of the media.
After seeing the documentary at [a community screening at] West Texas A & M University [in the neighboring community of Canyon, Texas], I was disheartened during the Q & A that the general perception of the audience was that Tulia was a racist community in 1999. I believe most of that audience still holds that opinion of Tulia today.
Due to the media coverage during and since the events that were also covered in this documentary, the negative impact to the community has been very difficult for the residents, regardless of race.
During the time the filmmakers spent in Tulia filming their documentary and interviewing people, there was hope that their documentary would help dispel some of the harmful coverage by the general media. After watching the documentary again, it is my belief that the filmmakers did not achieve this. It seems that the positive things about Tulia were left out because if they allowed the world to see all races in the community getting along and/or helping each other, it wouldn’t fit the portrayal of Tulia that has been in the news arena for almost 10 years. This was a large disappointment.
I do believe however, in spite of everything, that there is a slow process of healing taking place in Tulia and that a stronger feeling of community is emerging here.
Doyle Ozment
Investigator, Tulia Police Department
Tulia resident for 44 years
Hear from Page Lacey Heisser, a former Tulia resident >>
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