Seminole, Texas is where I graduated high school, where I met my best friends, where I played football, and where I drank my first beer. Seminole is where I learned to pick myself up by the bootstraps, that no one is better than me, and that hard work coupled with perseverance will get you far. Seminole is where I learned the value of a handshake, that a person is only as good as their word, how to overcome adversity, and that it takes a Tribe to solve our biggest problems.

Seminole is where ag and oil is the economy, football is religion, republican is the language, and Tucker Carlson is the entertainment. Seminole is home to gun-loving, god-fearing, and red-blooded Americans. Seminole is where I tell people I am from and where I call home.

Seminole is home to one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in the state among school-aged children. Seminole is also now ground 0 zero for the largest measles outbreak in the state of Texas in the last 30 years, with no signs of stopping.

Our town has always been a tribe—not just in name but in the way we show up for each other. Being a tribe means embracing community, supporting one another, and fostering resilience. But it also means making choices that protect the most vulnerable among us.

The first reported child death from measles dropped on February 26th, with a school-aged, unvaccinated child passing in Lubbock, TX (the area’s largest medical hub). This preventable death comes on the heels of the Senate confirmation for RFK, a notable vaccine skeptic. Speculation on further cases and deaths is outside my purview. I direct readers, specifically those in my hometown, to qualified medical experts in the region to calculate & minimize risk.

I’ve participated in discussions about vaccines on social media with various members of my community. When I respond to posts expressing vaccine skepticism, my goal isn’t to argue for the sake of arguing but to provide a broader perspective and highlight missing facts. I urge readers to be cautious of meme-style posts that spread misinformation about vaccines or unverified quotes from so-called “doctors.” Instead, I encourage people to seek reliable information from sources like the CDC, WHO, or, better yet, trusted local doctors and medical experts.

That said, the science of vaccines is well-established. Numerous studies confirm that the MMR vaccine’s efficacy reaches 97% after two doses. Vaccines do not cause autism; what has changed is our ability to diagnose and understand the spectrum more accurately. When weighing the risks, the dangers of measles far outweigh any rare side effects of the vaccine. These arguments have been made time and again, and they will continue to be.

However, this article isn’t about rehashing that debate. Instead, it’s about something the media and even medical teams on the ground may be overlooking—a local issue that requires a local perspective: the unfair treatment and discrimination faced by the Mennonite population in the wake of this outbreak.

Mennonites are an ethnic minority within the county. Contrary to stereotypes, they are not Amish, though some are more adherent to traditional values and dress associated with the church than others. The Mennonites fled persecution from Germany to Russia, then Canada, Mexico, and Central/South America before settling in America. Their history is one largely of discrimination, pressures to conform, and persecution for their religious beliefs.

Many Mennonites remain unvaccinated, not because they believe in conspiracy theories but due to a longstanding tradition of minimal reliance on modern medicine, instead placing their trust in community and religious support. While their position may not align with public health recommendations, it is rooted in tradition rather than misinformation.

That said, I strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated to prevent avoidable illnesses like measles. Public health is a shared responsibility, and vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves and others.

At the same time, I condemn in the strongest terms the resentment and hostility I am hearing toward our Mennonite neighbors in Seminole. If this were simply a Mennonite-only problem, then we would not have seen the explosive growth of measles in the country and across the state.

The dynamic unfolding is similar to that of COVID, where the virus was referred to as the “China” or “Wuhan” virus by President Trump. As a result, we saw an increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans. The world already has too much hate in it for the virus to tear apart my community. On the global stage, we see discrimination, racism, and mis/disinformation run rampant as my home now sees unfolding on the local scale.

To my friends & neighbors, I ask that you take the time to come together as one tribe, to fight against the disease rather than one another, and to love and support those who are undoubtedly struggling as their children fall ill. Be the difference in a world that fosters a negative environment for hate and ignorance. Be the example of how communities, states, and nations should handle serious issues and not be plagued by societal ills on top of a serious sickness.

I urge you to remember that as this outbreak continues to spread, the eyes of Texas—and the entire nation—are upon you. Your words and actions matter now more than ever. Just as our students and athletes represent more than just themselves when they compete, you also represent more than just yourself—you represent the town of Seminole. I ask you to embody the values and beliefs that this community instilled in me rather than the hate and bigotry that have taken center stage in today’s polarized political climate.

Be a Tribe & do not fall into tribalism. Respecting differences is important, but public health is a shared responsibility. Getting vaccinated isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a commitment to keeping our community safe. The frustration some feel over this outbreak is understandable, but resentment toward our Mennonite neighbors is not the answer. We can advocate for public health while still engaging with understanding and respect. Let’s live up to what it truly means to be a tribe—one that protects, uplifts, and stands together.

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