Austin's David Rice shares Five Things He's Learned about America
View the next in our new series of messages, ideas, and inspiration – shared directly from Americans we admire.
Five Things I’ve Learned began with the aim of learning directly from people we long admired. Now, as we get ready for our upcoming Fall Class Series, we’re also continuing to collect and share written pieces, short videos, and other bursts of ideas and inspiration from people whose ideas and experiences give shape to the issues at the heart of our upcoming national election.
Thanks to everyone for the kind and enthusiastic response we’ve received to this ongoing series.
Today, from Austin, Texas, writer and educator David Rice shares Five Things He’s Learned About America.
David is an award-winning writer – he’s written books, plays, and movies. He’s also an equally great teacher – he’s an adjunct Associate Professor of English at Austin Community College.
David was one of the first people we met for this Five Things I’ve Learned series. We’re so glad to have met him and to be able to share his reflection with you.
Five Things I’ve Learned about America
Americans don’t believe in impossible.
My grandfather, David Hume Rice, was born in 1898 and attended the University of Illinois and studied English. He was a philosopher and poet and came from a wealthy family. He probably never thought he’d move from Barrington, Illinois to Edcouch in South Texas in 1926.
In the 1950’s he adopted my father, a little Mexican boy who crossed the border without documents. My father was left at Grandfather David’s dairy farm by the foreman. Grandfather decided to raise him as his son.
My grandfather’s parents and siblings were not happy. They cut him off financially and he lost his dairy farm, livestock, and equipment. He moved in with us and he practically raised me. In his much later years, I took care of him. Fed him, bathed him, and lit his pipe.
I spent thousands of hours with my grandfather. From watching baseball and football games on TV to reading stories together. People think blood makes a family. Nope, it’s love.
America’s bond is love. Hate always fails. We are not going to let anything, or anyone tear us apart. A perfect union sounds impossible, but this is America, and we don’t believe in impossible.
Don’t drop the American flag.
My Mexican grandfather, Papa Lalo, gave me a broom and told me to practice walking around the yard. I was a Cub Scout and was going to carry the American Flag in the town parade. My grandmother, Mama Locha, said it was like carrying the cross at church. “You can’t drop it.” I was an altar boy and carried the cross when church started. So, I knew what I was doing, but we were going to lead the military veterans, so no messing up.
I had the chance to carry the flag a few times. When I become a Scout, I was promoted to assistant senior patrol leader and had to pick a Cub Scout to carry the flag. I formed a committee, and we picked three scouts to carry the flag. They shared the responsibility because the American flag can get heavy.
My father and brother served in the National Guard. My brother, Roger, died in a car accident in 1989 and had a military funeral. The honor guard gave my mother and father a folded flag. It’s on the fire mantel under a picture of my brother in his uniform. Every so often I clean it and make sure it hasn’t moved, but it’s not going anywhere. It’s the heaviest thing in the house.
The American flag carries hope, dreams, struggles and love. It has unconditional love for us. It will let us burn it, tear it, and abuse it. Sure, it’s just a symbol and we should carry the flag in our hearts, but I love Old Glory. I display it proudly 18 times a year and have never dropped it.
Our children are watching.
In 1979, I was voted best Scout Spirit at Camp Perry in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. When you win an award, people notice. Months later I was asked to be the judge at the annual Cub Scout Pinewood derby race.
Ernest Mehlhorn, director of the Scout Council Wewanoma Lodge 272, looked like my white grandfather and had the same mannerisms. He was going to attend the derby and scouts from the area were going to help.
I was told to wear my full uniform: my merit badge sash and my Order of The Arrow-Brotherhood sash. I wasn’t an Eagle, but I already had my Life badge. I thought it was a little much, but Mehlhorn said I had to look very official.
The derby was held at the McAllen National Guard Amory. Bigger than a basketball gym and it was packed. Scouts and parents from all the nearby towns.
I stood next to Melhorn as he thanked the National Guard, the volunteer scouts, the parents, the Den leaders, and the cub scouts.
“Today’s judge is David Rice. He was a Cub Scout, a Webelo, and he is a Life Scout. He also Order of the Arrow Brotherhood and the assistant senior patrol leader of Troop 154. His is the final word. Here’s to the spirit of competition and good sportsmanship. Let the derby begin!” The place went wild with cheers. Mehlhorn patted my shoulder, “Hold fast.”
There were two brackets, and the races were a blast. I made sure to shake the hands of every competitor, and the calls were easy until the last race. The two fastest pinewood derby cars at the top of the track. The crowd seemed bigger than when we started. More scouts and parents everywhere.
I put my hand up with the scout sign and the place got so quiet you could hear the imaginary engines in the pinewood. I shook the hands of the Cub Scouts and singled a scout to the release the cars.
The cars were a blur. Side by side to the finish. They were tied and there were no devices to confirm my decision. I stood up and knew I had to be quick. I pointed to a car and said, “The winner!” The two Cub Scouts cheered for each other and shook hands. All the other scouts were cheering too and then it got messed up by the parents.
The parents started shouting about who won and were demanding a do over. They were pointing and shouting at each other. Some even used profanity. I looked around at the other scouts and we didn’t know what was going on or what to do.
Every so often, at scout camp, if things got heated between rival troops, the scout leader would raise a hand with the Scout sign and belt out loud, “Scout Law!” It worked every time.
Director Mehlhorn raised his hand with the Scout sign and roared, “Scout Law!”
Every scout snapped to attention and at the top of our lungs we roared back: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
The hall got quiet and Mehlhorn said in a calm manner, “Scouts, the golden rule.” We replied without hesitation. “Do unto others as you would have them to unto you.”
“Scouts, thank you for leading the way. Parents,” Mehlhorn said with a nod.
“Our children are watching.”
America was made strong for a reason.
Americans love hats. Everyone I know has at least three or four. We have: work hats, parent hats, little league hats, Boys and Girls club hats, Scout hats, volunteer fire fighters hats, church choir hats, meals on wheels hats, PTA hats, and the list goes on.
We wear lots of hats because we get involved in our communities. Over 60 million Americans help organizations and let’s not forget helping friends move and much more we never count. Our hats are right up there with hero capes.
On the world stage, America wears heavy hats. When you’re the biggest kid on the block, you don’t bully. You’re meant to help others.
Yes, it can get a little tiring, but America was made strong for a reason. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Adjust your hat and get to work.
5. It’s a very crowded election booth.
We never vote alone. My Tía Lucía in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas did a lot of work to get the vote out before she died. She would call on her friends to remind them to vote. I’ve been an election clerk in Travis County since 2008. It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work. You take classes and take an oath to protect the rights of citizens to be counted at the ballot box.
But why is the voting booth so crowded? Because it took millions of people to fight for your right to vote. Wars, marches, protests, and a continuing commitment from people to make America a good and honest nation. Free and fair elections to ensure your voice is heard and counted. You’re in good company when you vote.
After I cast my ballot, I say thank you to the election workers and to the people who fought for my right to vote. My vote shows my love for my country and my gratitude to those before me. I do my best for American democracy and Tía Lucía.
And: Sí Se Puede.
A friend of mine said Mexicans say, “Let’s try it and see what happens?” And yeah, we say it a lot, but I think we Americans say it the most. Our nation believes rewards are greater than the risk. We’re the home of test pilots, test tracks, and prototype rollouts. We like to break records and barriers.
Scientists say a baby will fall on average of 296 times before it can walk. Who are these scientists who let babies fall 296 times? But yeah, a baby has to learn, and we have to learn too. Every time I fail, I still have a long way to go.
The great democracy experiment is a crazy idea, but someone’s got to try it. Two-hundred-and-forty-eight years of not giving up. We’ve come too far to turn back.
The more perfect union might take another 248 years. Baby steps. Let’s keep trying and see what happens.
Sí se puede.
Austin, Texas
ABOUT DAVID
David Rice grew up in Edcouch, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Texas State University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He is the author of Give the Pig a Chance, Heart-Shaped Cookies, and the award-winning Crazy Loco. He is the author of feature films and plays. South Texas and his Mexican American culture are sources of his artistic inspiration.
He is an adjunct Associate Professor of English at Austin Community College. He teaches Ascender, Integrated reading and writing, Dual Credit courses for high school students.
MORE ABOUT FIVE THINGS I’VE LEARNED ABOUT AMERICA
Five Things I’ve Learned about America presents live, personal conversations with leading thinkers, organizers, and advocates for our democracy. In tandem, we’re soliciting and sharing written pieces, short videos, and other bursts of ideas and inspiration from people whose ideas and experiences are equally inspiring and instructive.
If you’ve just recently discovered us, please check out recent reflections about America from people we admire including including Tony Alcaraz, Yvette Benavides, Matthew Chamberlin, David Martin Davies, Alex Dobrenko, Sarah Fay, Lilly Gonzalez, Francisco Guajardo, Hal Harper, Tina Hedin, Marya Hornbacher, Megan Matson, Jeannine Ouellette, Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, Greg Sandow, Brooke Warner, Oliver Wasow, and Jamie Whalen.
And check out our free conversation series presented in partnership with Resolute Square, featuring 90-minute sessions with Americans we admire including Alan Light, Jennifer Mercieca, Beto O'Rourke, Trygve Olson, and Stuart Stevens.
Five things is a heartfelt message of hope, determination, and pride. Beautifully done by David. Growing up in South Texas as a friend of David’s, he transported me to a time of innocence and living the American dream. Another proud moment for this E-E alum. Austin is blessed to have you.
An absolutely fantastic piece by David Rice. ACC is so lucky to have him. So beautifully done!