New Books Network Brian D. Behnken, "Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights in the Southwest, 1935-2025" (UNC Press, 2025)
Jan 21, 2026
Brian D. Behnken, a history professor specializing in civil rights, discusses his latest work on Mexican American interactions with law enforcement. He highlights how police abuse sparked the Chicano movement, emphasizing the pivotal role of activism for reform. Behnken shares insights on the systematic nature of police violence, racial profiling, and the historical significance of landmark legal cases that shaped civil rights. He also explores community-driven reform initiatives and critiques modern policing practices while advocating for meaningful change.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Santos Rodriguez Discovery
- Brian D. Behnken describes discovering a 1970s Chicano press story about Santos Rodriguez, a 12-year-old shot during a Russian roulette interrogation.
- He recounts the emotional impact of seeing the boy's photograph and how it redirected his research toward policing and violence.
Relational Meaning Of "Brown And Blue"
- The title Brown and Blue signals a relational history between Mexican-origin communities and policing, including Mexican Americans inside police forces.
- Behnken argues Mexican Americans often sought reform rather than abolition of police.
Why The Southwest Matters
- The Southwest is central because most Mexican-origin people live there and its policing history is distinct from other U.S. regions.
- Behnken emphasizes regional variation and the importance of local archives for that story.
