Perspective: How 'The Highwaymen' whitewashes Frank Hamer and the Texas Rangers
Actors Woody Harrelson, Kevin Costner and Thomas Mann star in a scene from"The Highwaymen." By Monica Muñoz Martinez Monica Muñoz Martinez is the Stanley J. Bernstein assistant professor of American studies at Brown University, author of"The Injustice Never Leaves You: Anti-Mexican Violence in Texas," and cofounder of the nonprofit organization Refusing to Forget.
After Texas claimed independence from Mexico in 1836, the Texas Rangers were developed as a “fighting force” for Anglo settlers in the ongoing war for racial supremacy — battling Mexican landowners and indigenous nations while supporting chattel slavery. Frank Hamer started his career in the early 20th century when the Texas Rangers helped enforce new Jim Crow and Juan Crow segregation laws targeting black and Mexican Texans and intimidating labor organizers and anti-lynching activists.
And so, when he came under investigation Hamer used the same tactics to defend himself. In December 1918, Hamer approached State Rep. José T Canales, asking for the name of the “[expletive]” who had accused Hamer and other Rangers of abusing him near Rio Grande City. Hamer warned Canales to stop collecting cases of Ranger abuse, threatening, “If you don’t stop that you are going to get hurt.”
In the end, Hamer’s intimidation failed. Canales continued to lead the investigation, and, despite the hostile climate, Anglo Texans, Mexican Americans, Mexican nationals and African Americans testified. In some cases witnesses identified Rangers sitting in the audience as their abusers. The collection of witnesses showed that Ranger violence touched members of all races, genders and classes in this era.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
University of Texas at Austin suspends Texas Cowboys for 6 years over alleged hazingThe University of Texas at Austin has suspended the Texas Cowboys from campus for six years following an investigation into alleged hazing at a new member retreat.
Read more »
The Latest: Supreme Court blocks execution of Texas inmateHUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the reprieve for a member of 'Texas 7' gang of escaped prisoners (all times local): 8:30 p.m. A member of the notorious 'Texas 7' gang of escaped...
Read more »
Texas Tech ends Buffalo's best season in 2nd roundSophomore guard Jarrett Culver recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds as Texas Tech ...
Read more »
Japanese-American activists fold paper cranes to show solidarity at Texas detention facilityJapanese-American activists who are visiting a World War II-era incarceration camp in Texas will bring paper cranes to show solidarity with migrant families.
Read more »
Texas refineries cut output as petrochemical spill curbs shippingA petrochemical disaster outside Houston that has disrupted ship traffic for day...
Read more »
NASCAR notebook: Suarez embraces mentor roleFORT WORTH, Texas - As he did for much of his racing career, Stewart-Haas Racing...
Read more »
Elite Eight updates: A clash between Gonzaga’s elite offense and Texas Tech’s elite defenseGonzaga’s elite offense meets Texas Tech’s elite defense in Elite Eight
Read more »
Texas Tech earns first trip to the Final Four with defeat of GonzagaTexas Tech is going to the Final Four for the first time after the Red Raiders beat the Bulldogs to win the West Regional of the NCAA tournament.
Read more »