Story and Photos by Shireen Fatehi-Sedeh

Texas is a great place because of diversity, Peck Young, Director of the Center for Public Policy and Political Studies said.

On March 4 at the Eastview Campus, ACC students, faculty and staff celebrated Texas Independence Day by discussing diversity’s role in the Texas revolution.

Board of Trustees Chair Jeffrey Richard brought attention to the hundreds of black Texans who lost their free status after the revolution and didn’t regain it for more than 30 years. He also shared stories of black Texans like William Goyens, a diplomat who negotiated with the Cherokee.

History Department Chair Mariano Diaz-Miranda spoke on the treatment of Tejanos (Texans of Spanish or Mexican heritage).

“Once Texas independence was won, Tejanos’ contributions were forgotten or ignored,” he said.

Diaz-Miranda also pointed out that the issue of immigration was different than it is today.

“The first illegals [in Texas] came across the Sabine and the Red River and they spoke English,” he said.

The event allowed students to participate by setting up and organizing their own governments in group exercises.

ACC history major Cole Wilson, 19, made decisions that shaped legislative term limits for the fictional Republic of Freedonia.

“I believe there should not be term limits in the Senate today,” he said. “A senator, who creates a foundation and has power, should in turn, continue to hold that foundation and have such power.”

Diana Pier, a 61-year-old science major, said she usually dislikes politics, but enjoyed debating the issues with students who had different perspectives.