Frontier Ethic by John Ferguson

Black coffee and cowboy boots. I believe in keeping things simple, tough, and true. In politics these days, I like my politicians the way I like my coffee. I respect those who give it to you straight, not adding any partisan milk or pundit creamer. Coming from either Republican or Democrat, if they give it to me straight, simple, and true, I'll drink it. With the coffee craze, it is easy to see how some people's core values are reflected in their choice of coffee. Though I myself am not an avid coffeehouse visitor, I have picked up on a few trends: 8, 16, and 24 oz. trends that speak volumes about personal character.

I have seen those who want to be noticed and therefore order the coffee with the longest name as if hoping to impress their associates. I have seen those who order what sounds most enticing and fantastical as if proving their ignorance and whimsical behavior to the world. I have found it such an irony that people today want so desperately to be individuals like everyone else. These are the ones who get to me, the ones who order "the same". Whether out of congeniality or social acceptance, they still get to me.

However, there are still those who order their coffee black; the ones who get up early to make it themselves, and in turn have an appreciation for hard work. True work. One scene that has been etched in my memory from a very early age is the image of the cowboy and the frontier, an image of America and the reason for where we are today. For better or worse this is our history. This is who we are. Engraved on every American is the do-it-yourself philosophy and the knowledge that one day you too could rise to the top. If that didn't work out, then you could always head out west or try something new. It is this freedom that many Americans take for granted every day but nonetheless unconsciously have within them all. This freedom is not manifested in robber barons, carpetbaggers, and the like, but rather in simple, tough and true cowboys. As children we learn to identify with the cowboy because he represents everything that the American stands for: Freedom, Equality, and Opportunity.

Though the frontier as a physical geographic location has officially been closed off, the essence of the frontier is still a part of us today as we are born to think without boundaries, to reach for the skies, and change our stars. It is by this frontier ethic and black coffee philosophy that America was raised. We continue to thrive on those principles today whether we like it or not, whether we know it or not. Like those who I observed ordering coffee, there are those who think that for some reason they need to mix up or add to the foundation of America. Someone who has yet to do this is my grandpa. I still have vivid memories of my grandfather getting up before the crack of dawn to make a pot of coffee and put on his work clothes before the sun was even thinking about coming up. It is that image that has laid the foundation for not only who I am but who American is. So, all of American thought, reason, and ethic have come to this: black coffee and cowboy boots. Not a double mocha latte and soft soles.

John Ferguson is a history major from Abilene, Texas.

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