Joy Sewing: Galveston's 'dirty beaches?!' Charles Barkley and Shaq, you're wrong

I can think of 8 million reasons why Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal are wrong about Galveston. That's the estimated number of people who visited the island in 2022, spending $1.2 billion. The NBA legends (and TNT sportscasters) are savvy businessmen with net worths in the multimillions. So they understand the value that tourism brings, but they know nothing about Galveston. That was apparent when Barkley and O’Neal joked on air about Galveston after the New Orleans Pelicans lost 0-3 to the Oklahoma City Thunder over the weekend. They spent part of their show dissing the Pelicans. “We’re not even gonna send them to Cancun. We’re gonna send them to Galveston, where that dirty-ass water be washed up on the shore,” Barkley said. We not gonna send y’all to Cancun, y’all drive your ass, y’all quit. Drive your ass down to Galveston. We sending their ass to Galveston, Texas, right where that dirty water washed up on the beach, they can’t even get in the water.” One of Galveston's famous natives, Beyonce´’s mother Tina Knowles, snapped back.

“Chuck we don’t play about Galveston Texas! You better watch it sucker! ???? Our water might not be blue, but it is still the beach and we love it! In fact, what you probably don’t know is it’s an island! Yes me and @angiebeyince still rock our BOI necklaces (Born On The Island),” she wrote. You come for Galveston, you must answer to Miss Tina and me. I have been going to the island since my childhood, spent weekends there during my college years, and continued my love for Galveston getaways through my adult years. A decade ago, I was one of a few media professionals selected to do a short social-media promo for the Visit Galveston's "Love Galveston" campaign. The promo, which was supposed to run online only, was sort of my love letter to Galveston. I was covering Houston culture then and well versed on the island's wonderful mix of boutiques and restaurants. I loved walking or rollerblading along the seawall, flying my kites on the beaches when the crowds were few. I had my favorite hotels and poolside bars. I even enjoyed the trips to Galveston's Walmart, which had a variety of beach toys and towels. My promo was so well-received that it became a regular spot on cable TV across Texas. Friends would call me years later saying they saw my Galveston spot after a Home Depot commercial during a weekend sports game.