Summary: The line, “Don’t mess with Texas,” is commonly used to define the spirit of the Lone Star state. Because for many Texans, being from Texas is more than an identity, it’s a way of life. Erica Grieder, senior editor for Texas Monthly, explains the unique character of Texas as an exaggeration of some of America’s most striking virtues and flaws. Grieder is the author of Big, Hot, Cheap and Right: What America Can Learn from the Strange Genius of Texas.
