Fighting Their Own Battles: Mexican Americans, African Americans, and the Struggle for Civil Rights in Texas

Acknowledgments

xi Acknowledgments This book represents the culmination of more than a decade of research, reading , writing, and revising. Throughout that lengthy process I have incurred countless debts; indeed, this book would never have been completed without the assistance of numerous individuals and institutions. At the University of California, Davis (UCD), special thanks are due a trusted adviser, Clarence E. Walker, who has read every word that I have ever written. His generous comments, discerning eye, and knowledge of the literature have taught me how to think as a critical historian; his guidance has served me well in the present study. Clarence seemed to have read every book that I used; even when I thought I would stump him with an obscure reference , he had generally either read the work or knew of it—surely the sign of a master craftsman. Thanks also to Kathy Olmsted, a gifted historian and teacher, who has invariably been there with clever observations and an incredibly critical wit. Her advice is always welcome and her support a true gift. Finally, Lorena Oropeza pushed my analysis of the Mexican American struggle for rights in ways that I would never have imagined. Her comments were unfailingly warm, friendly, and always right on point. I usually got back pages with more red ink on them from Lorena than anyone else. Additionally, her command of written English saved me from odd phrases and awkward statements on numerous occasions. At the University of Houston (UH), Tyrone Tillery showed a keen interest in my academic career while I was still an undergraduate; through his wise counsel he shepherded me through my years as a master’s student.Guadalupe San Miguel offered incisive criticisms of my work and stridently encouraged me to turn this project into a book. I’m glad I listened to him. Bob Buzzanco urged me to think beyond standard academic boundaries; in many ways this xii acknowledgments book represents the final product of that encouragement. Russell Curtis gave comprehensive and insightful comments on this study. Thanks to you all. Numerous other friends and colleagues provided important criticism of this project. My good friend SimonWendt read every word of the manuscript; his copious comments and marginal notes were invaluable. Simon frequently put his own work on hold while he edited versions of this book. More importantly , his extensive knowledge of the civil rights and Black Power eras greatly augmented myown. Simon, I can honestly say that you repaid your huge debt. My close friend Greg Smithers, who read a number of chapters and other bits of my writing, always had perceptive comments. Greg frequently encouraged me to broaden myanalysis, which helped make this book more methodologically sound.Carlos Blanton, Beverly Bossler,Chris Danielson,Charles Eagles, José Angel Hernández, James Kirby Martin, Anthony Quiroz, Deb Reid,Vicki Ruiz, and Alan Taylor all read parts of the manuscript and offered significant insights. For turning me into the fastidiously anal-retentive historian I am today, I must acknowledge the faculty members and my fellow graduate students at UH and UCD. I was fortunate enough to attend two of the hardest working , most dedicated, and productive history departments in the country. At UH, special thanks to Professors Richard Blackett, Bob Buzzanco, Andrew Chesnutt, Susan Kellogg, Jim Martin, Tyrone Tillery, and Eric Walther, and to my closest grad student colleagues, James Carter, Chris Danielson, Christos Frenzos, José Angel Hernández, and Theresa Jach. At UCD, one of the best history departments in the country, special thanks to Professors Bev Bossler, Karen Halttunen, Ari Kelman, Lisa Matterson, Kathy Olmsted, Lorena Oropeza , Andrés Reséndez, John Smolenski, Charles Walker, Clarence Walker, and Alan Taylor; and to my grad student friends, David Barber, Lori Clune, Patrick Craig, Ryan Fischer, Brooke Newman, Matt Osborne, Ben Perez, Beth Slutsky, Greg Smithers, Robbie Weiss, and Pablo Whipple. For giving me a permanent academic home, I thank my colleagues in the Department of History and the U.S. Latino/a Studies Program at Iowa State University: Tunde Adeleke, Jim Andrews, Mike Bailey, Amy Bix, Jana Byars, Julie Courtright, Ham Cravens, Lina Del Castillo, Charles Dobbs, Paul Griffiths, Kevin Hill, Cathy Hilliard, David Hollander, Jeff Houghtby, Xiaoyuan Liu, Marta Maldonado , John Monroe, Loreto Prieto, Pam Rhiney-Kerhberg, Jennifer Rivera, David Wilson, and Tim Wolters. My gratitude also extends to members of the broader academic community who through e-mail, conferences, conversations, and more than a few acknowledgments xiii...