Texans aren't shy. Perspectives is where our writers and contributors make the case — on politics, power, culture, and the fights that define this state. Sharp arguments, firsthand accounts, and the occasional righteous holler. You won't always agree. That's the point.
Perspectives
Ah, summer: a time for sunscreen, grilled meats, and your cousin showing up to the family cookout, quoting Joe Rogan between bites of brisket. Or, as happened to me recently, you post something on Facebook, and, all of a sudden, here comes that high school acquaintance you haven’t talked
Perspectives
UPDATE, Apr. 22, 6:15 p.m.: Elon Musk confirmed Tuesday afternoon, during Tesla's earnings call, that "my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly" likely starting in May, Axios reported. "I think I'll continue to spend a day or two per week
Immigration
In a mere three months, the Trump administration has arrested legal residents, stripped them of their status, accused them of being members of transnational gangs, and sent them to a prison labor camp in a foreign country. Upon scrutiny, many of these cases reveal a disturbing pattern: many of those
Health
This week I’m celebrating seven years married to my husband and we still have no children. We’re happily married and very much enjoy not having parenting responsibilities, but it’s a part of life that we both want. We thought for sure by now, in our mid 30s,
Culture
If there is one dark joy these days, it’s still being able to laugh at the world’s richest man, who consistently exhibits the aura of a divorced dad showing up at the skate park. Over the weekend, zillionaire Elon Musk, who has reportedly been using AI to spy
Perspectives
Once upon a time, in the 1920s, the State Fair of Texas hosted “Fitter Family” contests that graded entrants on physical appearance, health, behavior, and intelligence. The winners, according to the eugenicist judges, were most likely to produce offspring deemed genetically superior — and were “invariably white with western and northern
Perspectives
Editor’s note: The views and opinions presented by guest contributors to The Barbed Wire do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the company, the newsroom, its staff, advisers, or advertisers. Late last week, the White House issued a memo ordering the attorney general to seek disciplinary action
Culture
Let us tell you a tale, youngster, of an Austin ruled by crushed tallboys, pink hair at Barton Creek, and Butthole Surfers songs blasting from FM car radios — long before Lime scooters were invented. Once upon a time, migas tacos used to cost just $.99 and include a free Lone
Perspectives
Ah, school vouchers. They’re like a coupon for 30% off, but only if the discount is covered by swiping your neighbor’s wallet. Texas is back at it again, folks. Last month, our state senate passed Senate Bill 2, which proposes giving families $10,000 in public funds per
Culture
Texas hasn’t gotten its due as a major piece in the complex puzzle of American art. We’re here to rectify that. Every three weeks, H. Drew Blackburn will conduct a thoroughly scientific analysis of the 254 integral (one for every county) books, movies, tv shows, albums, podcasts, songs,
Culture
Last month, I went to my homegirl’s wedding. We’ve been cool since high school, and the wedding was in our old stomping grounds: the south-eastside of Fort Worth. Aside from a few folks here and there, the reception was all-Black — chopped and screwed music flowed from
Culture
Texas hasn’t gotten its due as a major piece in the complex puzzle of American art. We’re here to rectify that. Every three weeks, H. Drew Blackburn will conduct a thoroughly scientific analysis of the 254 integral (one for every county) books, movies, tv shows, albums, podcasts, songs,