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Brian Behnken

@historybrian

History prof. Author of Borders of Violence and Justice. Forthcoming book, Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights. Keeper of bees. I like tacos.

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13.11.2024
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Latest posts by Brian Behnken @historybrian

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Assistant Teaching Professor of History Position Title: Assistant Teaching Professor of History Appointment Type: Faculty Job Description: The Department of History in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University invite...

My department is hiring! Assistant Teaching Professor in European history. Check it out here:
isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...

07.03.2026 17:58 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Goes great with a Pepsi.

06.03.2026 00:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Absolutely top-tier AMA answers are getting handed out like candy in here, come ask more questions so @historybrian.bsky.social never gets to leave.

12.02.2026 18:12 πŸ‘ 21 πŸ” 12 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Check me out on Reddit ya'll!

12.02.2026 17:32 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Many thanks πŸ™

05.02.2026 02:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Brian Behnken stands in front of his decorated office door. He is wearing black pants and a maroon shirt and holding a copy of his book Brown and Blue. His door is brown wood and has a picture of the book's cover, streamers, and other decorations.

Brian Behnken stands in front of his decorated office door. He is wearing black pants and a maroon shirt and holding a copy of his book Brown and Blue. His door is brown wood and has a picture of the book's cover, streamers, and other decorations.

A close up of Brian Behnken's decorated office door. It features a picture of the book's cover, the title Brown and Blue is clearly visible. There are also streamers and other decorations and a sign that reads "Congratulations Dr. Behnken! Phi Alpha Theta congratulates Dr. Brian Behnken on the publication of his latest book!"

A close up of Brian Behnken's decorated office door. It features a picture of the book's cover, the title Brown and Blue is clearly visible. There are also streamers and other decorations and a sign that reads "Congratulations Dr. Behnken! Phi Alpha Theta congratulates Dr. Brian Behnken on the publication of his latest book!"

I've posted before about how my department's chapter of Phi Alpha Theta decorates the office doors of faculty who have published books. I was so pumped to come in and find my door decorated today! This is a wonderful tradition and I hope it never goes away:)

03.02.2026 17:59 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Brian D. Behnken, "Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights in the Southwest, 1935-2025" (UNC Press, 2025)

I had a really great experience with Michael Stauch being interviewed for the New Books Network podcast. It dropped today.
open.spotify.com/episode/5uxD...

21.01.2026 21:31 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

This history helps explain why policing and punishment have operated the way they have in the Southwest and why those patterns persist. Grateful for this review of @historybrian.bsky.social's "excellent" new book, BROWN AND BLUE

16.01.2026 12:59 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Author’s Corner with Brian D. Behnken Brian D. Behnken is Professor of History at Iowa State University. This interview is based on his new book, Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights in the Southwest, 19…

I penned a blog post about Brown and Blue for John Fea's "Author's Corner" site. Check it:
thewayofimprovement.blog/2026/01/15/t...

15.01.2026 15:40 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks for always being so supportive old friend!

13.01.2026 02:53 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A man in blue hoody holds a copy of his book Brown and Blue.

A man in blue hoody holds a copy of his book Brown and Blue.

A man in blue hoody holds a copy of his book Brown and Blue.

A man in blue hoody holds a copy of his book Brown and Blue.

Finally got my author's copies of Brown and Blue! Super proud of this accomplishment.

13.01.2026 01:07 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
#ScholarSunday Thread 254 (12/14/2025) – Black and White and Read All Over We light the first Hanukkah candle this evening, but we could all use some light right now, so here’s my super-sized 254th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episo...

We light the first Hanukkah candle this evening, but we could all use some light right now, so here’s my 254th #ScholarSunday thread of public scholarly writing, podcasts, new & forthcoming books from last week. Add more below, share widely, & solidarity, all.πŸ—ƒοΈ

blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...

14.12.2025 12:57 πŸ‘ 53 πŸ” 26 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 11

Thanks as always old friend!

24.10.2025 12:44 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Color photo of an advertisement poster and the uncorrected page proofs of Brian Behnken's book Brown and Blue.

Color photo of an advertisement poster and the uncorrected page proofs of Brian Behnken's book Brown and Blue.

Got to spend some time in Albuquerque, a truly amazing city, at the annual meeting of the Western History Association, and I got to see...

20.10.2025 13:25 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

This story came right out of my book Borders of Violence and Justice, a work I am still immensely proud of. The follow-up story comes out in about a month, wink wink
uncpress.org/978146969070...

15.10.2025 18:39 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
CortΓ©z, https://www.lavacacountytoday.com/index.php/lifestyle/story-gregorio-CortΓ©z

CortΓ©z, https://www.lavacacountytoday.com/index.php/lifestyle/story-gregorio-CortΓ©z

On June 12, 1901 Gregorio CortΓ©z killed 2 Texas law officers in self-defense and led Texas Rangers on a nearly 10 day chase through south central Texas. Cortez was regarded as a "bandit” by the law but became a hero to many Mexican Americans. /1

12.06.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 30 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 5

I'll have a double.

23.05.2025 01:40 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Brown and Blue | Brian D. Behnken | University of North Carolina Press This sweeping history tells a story of fits and starts of Mexican Americans' interactions with law enforcement and the criminal justice system in the US Sout...

@historybrian.bsky.social sequel to Borders of Violence & Justice, BROWN AND BLUE not only foreshadows today's policing of the border but also shows us how the southwest's Mexican/Mexican American community responded to & resisted this policing.
uncpress.org/book/9781469...

14.05.2025 16:50 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
"Ranchman Killed," Fort Worth Sat Telegram, May 5, 1909

"Ranchman Killed," Fort Worth Sat Telegram, May 5, 1909

#OTD on May 3, 1909 Ranger Levi Davis killed Severo Lopez in Rio Grande City. Lopez and several friends had been enjoying a festive dinner when Davis and 2 other Rangers ended the festivities with gunfire. /1

03.05.2025 17:40 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2
Photo of Profs. Best and Behnken standing in front of descriptive blocks at the CJM.

Photo of Profs. Best and Behnken standing in front of descriptive blocks at the CJM.

Me and my boy @besthistories.bsky.social at the Capitol Jewish Museum in DC.

25.04.2025 15:07 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Heading with my man @historybrian.bsky.social to DC with our great students in HIST 4690x: History of Racial Violence!
@iowastatehistory.bsky.social

24.04.2025 15:58 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
short version of Hellward by Hemp, Santa Fe New Mexican

short version of Hellward by Hemp, Santa Fe New Mexican

#OTD in 1881 the Texas Rangers crossed the border into Mexico to illegally apprehend Onofrio Baca on a charge of murder. They delivered Baca to authorities in New Mexico. He was lynched shortly thereafter. /1

31.03.2025 16:14 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
https://texasranger.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Allee%2C%20A.%20Y.%2C%20Sr.

https://texasranger.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Allee%2C%20A.%20Y.%2C%20Sr.

#OTD in 1963, Texas Gov. John Connally dispatched Ranger Captain Alfred Young "A. Y." Allee to Crystal City. Connally did so to "keep the peace" during the local election cycle for city and county offices. Instead Allee would go on to brutalize several Mexican Americans. /1

01.04.2025 15:42 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 5
Preview
Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights in the Southwest, 1935–2025 Amazon.com: Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights in the Southwest, 1935–2025: 9781469690704: Behnken, Brian D.: Books

So cool when a book drops on Amazon.

30.03.2025 16:22 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Austin Weekly Statesman, March 25, 1875

Austin Weekly Statesman, March 25, 1875

#OTD in 1875 the Nuecestown Raid occurred. In the 1870s and 1880s across the Southwest, a number of raids by Mexican outlaws into the US, as well as Anglo raids into Mexico, took place. The raid on Nuecestown provoked lynching and large-scale massacres of Mexican people. /1

29.03.2025 20:24 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Man just saw George Foreman died. What a life.

22.03.2025 02:45 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Super expensive if you have to pay for permissions.

20.03.2025 23:32 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Been wondering this myself.

19.03.2025 22:53 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
this is the pdf, p 608, https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/Housejournals/36/H_36_0.pdf

this is the pdf, p 608, https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/Housejournals/36/H_36_0.pdf

this is the pdf, p 608, https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/Housejournals/36/H_36_0.pdf

this is the pdf, p 608, https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/Housejournals/36/H_36_0.pdf

#OTD on March 17, 1919 the Texas Legislature significantly restructured the Texas Rangers by passing House Bill No. 5, originally authored by Rep. J. T. Canales. This was one of the most important outcomes of Canales’ activism. /1

17.03.2025 13:17 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Great and timely work by @historybrian.bsky.social on this thread.

13.03.2025 12:38 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0