The State of Texas as Parent

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I recently attended a panel discussion at the capital in Austin during the book fair with same title as this article. I wanted to meet the historian Dr Bush who was one of the panelists. Bush has done extensive research for his book that chronicles cycles of scandal, reform, and retrenchment in the Texas Youth commission. Sherry Matthews, author of We Were Not Orphans was another panelist. Both spent time discussing the abuse issues that plagued the Waco State Home and Gatesville State School for Boys. At one point in the discussion Matthews made a statement about how the kids are looked upon in many cases by staff and politicians as having mental issues but after all her research she has come to the conclusion that it is the staff who gravitate to these jobs with the mental issues. This received applause and cheers from a relatively packed chamber room.

The moderator, Michele Deitch, pointed out the coincidence of having the panel discussion in a chamber where many discussions regarding the most recent fate of tyc had been held.

The take away I received from the discussion was the entrenched culture of what could be called state sponsored child abuse in state schools/homes can’t be fixed. There is absolutely nothing that can be done, no matter how many well intended hours are spent by qualified individuals tasked with reforming these places. The people of Gatesville were so bad, apparently our legislators  thought they weren’t good for anything else but abusive penal work. Evidence the growth of facility’s out there in the last 30 years. The old buildings and land were turned over to tdc where the indigenes could continue to profit on the miseries of others, a local custom started in 1888.Who knows what secrets lie buried out there.


I found it very informative. The best part was getting to meet Dr Bush and have him personally autograph a copy of his book. Thank you Dr Bush for being a voice.