Brian D. Behnken
Professor of history at Iowa State University specializing in African American and Mexican American history, civil rights activism, and policing; author of Brown and Blue and Borders of Violence and Justice.
Best podcasts with Brian D. Behnken
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Jan 21, 2026 • 60min
Brian D. Behnken, "Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights in the Southwest, 1935-2025" (UNC Press, 2025)
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.
Jan 21, 2026 • 60min
Brian D. Behnken, "Brown and Blue: Mexican Americans, Law Enforcement, and Civil Rights in the Southwest, 1935-2025" (UNC Press, 2025)
Brian D. Behnken, a professor at Iowa State University specializing in civil rights history, shares insights from his book, Brown and Blue. He discusses how police violence against Mexican Americans sparked the Chicano movement, linking historical abuses to contemporary policing issues. Behnken highlights archival research revealing systemic biases and police misconduct, as well as landmark cases like Hernandez v. Texas that shaped civil rights. He also stresses the importance of community-centered reforms and critiques failed policies that accelerated police militarization.
