About the book
Brian Behnken offers a sweeping examination of the interactions between Mexican-origin people and law enforcement—both legally codified police agencies and extralegal justice—across the U.S. Southwest (especially Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas) from the 1830s to the 1930s. Representing a broad, colonial regime, police agencies and extralegal groups policed and controlled Mexican-origin people to maintain state and racial power in the region, treating Mexicans and Mexican Americans as a “foreign” population that they deemed suspect and undesirable. White Americans justified these perceptions and the acts of violence that they spawned with racist assumptions about the criminality of Mexican-origin people, but Behnken details the many ways Mexicans and Mexican Americans responded to violence, including the formation of self-defense groups and advocacy organizations. Others became police officers, vowing to protect Mexican-origin people from within the ranks of law enforcement. Mexican Americans also pushed state and territorial governments to professionalize law enforcement to halt abuse.
The long history of the border region between the United States and Mexico has been one marked by periodic violence, but Behnken shows us in unsparing detail how Mexicans and Mexican Americans refused to stand idly by in the face of relentless assault.
Editions of Borders of Violence and Justice
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469670119
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469670126
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469670140
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890863232
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469670133
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890863225
Read an Excerpt
Brian Behnken offers a sweeping examination of the interactions between Mexican-origin people and law enforcement—both legally codified police agencies and extralegal justice—across the U.S. Southwest (especially Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas) from the 1830s to the 1930s. Representing a broad, colonial regime, police agencies and extralegal groups policed and controlled Mexican-origin people to maintain state and racial power in the region, treating Mexicans and Mexican Americans as a “foreign” population that they deemed suspect and undesirable. White Americans justified these perceptions and the acts of violence that they spawned with racist assumptions about the criminality of Mexican-origin people, but Behnken details the many ways Mexicans and Mexican Americans responded to violence, including the formation of self-defense groups and advocacy organizations. Others became police officers, vowing to protect Mexican-origin people from within the ranks of law enforcement. Mexican Americans also pushed state and territorial governments to professionalize law enforcement to halt abuse.
The long history of the border region between the United States and Mexico has been one marked by periodic violence, but Behnken shows us in unsparing detail how Mexicans and Mexican Americans refused to stand idly by in the face of relentless assault.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Borders of Violence and Justice about?
Brian Behnken offers a sweeping examination of the interactions between Mexican-origin people and law enforcement—both legally codified police agencies and extralegal justice—across the U.S. Southwest (especially Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas) from the 1830s to the 1930s. Representing a broad, colonial regime, police agencies and extralegal groups policed and controlled Mexican-origin people to maintain state and racial power in the region, treating Mexicans and Mexican Americans as a “foreign” population that they deemed suspect and undesirable. White Americans justified these perceptions and the acts of violence that they spawned with racist assumptions about the criminality of Mexican-origin people, but Behnken details the many ways Mexicans and Mexican Americans responded to violence, including the formation of self-defense groups and advocacy organizations. Others became police officers, vowing to protect Mexican-origin people from within the ranks of law enforcement. Mexican Americans also pushed state and territorial governments to professionalize law enforcement to halt abuse.
The long history of the border region between the United States and Mexico has been one marked by periodic violence, but Behnken shows us in unsparing detail how Mexicans and Mexican Americans refused to stand idly by in the face of relentless assault.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Borders of Violence and Justice?
Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure > Local and family history, nostalgia > Local history
Where can I read a sample of Borders of Violence and Justice?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469670119
How long is Borders of Violence and Justice and how many pages does it have?
Borders of Violence and Justice has 334 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Borders of Violence and Justice?
Brian D. Behnken
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Borders of Violence and Justice is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469670119) and paperback(ISBN 9781469670126) and ebook(ISBN 9781469670140) and ebook(ISBN 9798890863232) and ebook(ISBN 9781469670133) and pdf(ISBN 9798890863225)
Where can I buy Borders of Violence and Justice online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Borders of Violence and Justice from below
Where can I buy Borders of Violence and Justice?