Tulia Talks Back

James M. Wilterding

I had the opportunity to view the documentary in the spring of 2007, and did so with both interest and skepticism: interest from the standpoint of a true desire to better understand what occurred in my hometown and skepticism that the portrayal would be honest and unbiased. I grew up in Tulia and have roots that run deep in the Texas Panhandle. At the time of the drug busts and subsequent controversies, I was [not living in Tulia and] in the midst of a hectic time of medical education and had little time to follow the story. But I was keenly aware that my family who lived there felt that the very heart of the place that had been home for generations was slipping away. This wound continues to run deeply through the lives of people in this community.

My viewing of TULIA, TEXAS left me feeling genuinely relieved for what I perceive as an honest and even-handed presentation of all sides of the issue and those involved. I feel that I have a clear understanding of what occurred as a result of watching the film. There tends to be a bias in our society against small towns and rural America in general. I expected to see that in the film, but did not pick up a trace of it. I appreciate that both individual motivations as well as systemic problems are explored in the documentary. It is a masterful piece of work, which allows the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions. I hope that it will lead to some honest discourse on the issues in general and in the healing for the community of Tulia specifically.

James M. Wilterding, M.D.
Former Tulia resident
Albuquerque, NM

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Hear from Lloyd Singer, a Tulia resident >>