Tulia Talks Back

Page Lacey Heisser

a young girl and a woman sit at a desk, grinning, holding tickets

I saw TULIA, TEXAS when it was screened in Lubbock in the fall of 2008. I was struck by its honesty and accuracy. This isn’t another provocative, over-produced, flashy news story screaming “racism.” The film is simple, sparse and understated, just like the town itself. But the story it tells so well is a blow to the gut. As a child of Tulia, it was painful to watch.

Sheriff Larry Stewart says in the film that Tulia’s story is about “a community doing its best to do what they believe is right,” and I think that’s true. One of the strengths of the film is its plain explanation of how rural economics, politics and small town justice converge to influence decent citizens of a town towards making such bad decisions. I think Tulia—like other small towns—is made up of women and men who are focused on their families, their jobs, local sports, church events and keeping their heads above water.

Aside from the local gossip shared over a cup of coffee or at a high school football game, I’m not convinced the majority of people from my hometown were very affected by the events of this story or by the media blitz that followed. There remains in Tulia a sense that they are insulated from the rest of the world and that ”if we can’t see them, they can’t see us.” Everyone from Tulia that I’ve spoken to has an opinion, that’s for sure, but I also feel that many honestly don’t understand the relevance of the story or the reasons anyone outside of Tulia should be interested. These were Tulia people dealing with a hometown issue. Why couldn’t everybody else just butt out?

Unfortunately, one piece that’s missing from the film is the voice of average citizens—women and men who were not directly involved in the events but who live and work in Tulia. Knowing home like I do, I doubt there were many citizens interested in helping “outsiders” with another Tulia story. But, by keeping mum on the issues and maintaining their protective attitude about the town, Tulia has lost an opportunity to show the world they should not all be blanketed as racists. I grew up there. My parents still live there. I know the town is made up of hardworking, honest, compassionate people. I think Tulia residents have done little to show that to the rest of the world.

I wish TULIA, TEXAS was required viewing for Tulia High School students and their parents. I hope everyone back home watches it. It has much to teach about the dignity of a few and the humanity of all. It’s a cautionary tale for any town that thinks it can remain insulated from the rest of the world.

Page Lacey Heisser, PhD, LMFT
Former Tulia resident
Currently residing in Lubbock, TX

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