LBJ & Mexican Americans : the paradox of power

Author(s)

    • Pycior, Julie Leininger

Bibliographic Information

LBJ & Mexican Americans : the paradox of power

Julie Leininger Pycior

University of Texas Press, 1997

1st University of Texas Press ed

  • : pbk

Other Title

LBJ and Mexican Americans

L.B.J. & Mexican Americans

Available at  / 4 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 299-314) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

ISBN 9780292765771

Description

As he worked to build his Great Society, Lyndon Johnson often harkened back to his teaching days in the segregated Mexican school at Cotulla, Texas. Recalling the poverty and prejudice that blighted his students' lives, Johnson declared, It never occurred to me in my fondest dreams that I might have the chance to help the sons and daughters of those students and to help people like them all over this country. But now I do have that chance--and I'll let you in on a secret--I mean to use it. This book explores the complex and sometimes contradictory relations between LBJ and Mexican Americans. Julie Pycior shows that Johnson's genuine desire to help Mexican Americans--and reap the political dividends--did not prevent him from allying himself with individuals and groups intent on thwarting Mexican Americans' organizing efforts. Not surprisingly, these actions elicited a wide range of response, from grateful loyalty to, in some cases, outright opposition. Mexican Americans' complicated relationship with LBJ influenced both their political development and his career with consequences that reverberated in society at large.
Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780292765788

Description

T. R. Fehrenbach Award, 1997 As he worked to build his Great Society, Lyndon Johnson often harkened back to his teaching days in the segregated "Mexican" school at Cotulla, Texas. Recalling the poverty and prejudice that blighted his students' lives, Johnson declared, "It never occurred to me in my fondest dreams that I might have the chance to help the sons and daughters of those students and to help people like them all over this country. But now I do have that chance-and I'll let you in on a secret-I mean to use it." This book explores the complex and sometimes contradictory relations between LBJ and Mexican Americans. Julie Pycior shows that Johnson's genuine desire to help Mexican Americans-and reap the political dividends-did not prevent him from allying himself with individuals and groups intent on thwarting Mexican Americans' organizing efforts. Not surprisingly, these actions elicited a wide range of response, from grateful loyalty to, in some cases, outright opposition. Mexican Americans' complicated relationship with LBJ influenced both their political development and his career with consequences that reverberated in society at large.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction Part One. The Texas Scene One. The Ladder of Success Two. The New Deal Three. The "Last Hurrah" for Boss Politics Four. The Politics of Progress Five. Democrats of Texas Part Two. The National Scene Six. Viva Kennedy! Seven. Launching the Great Society Eight. Problems with the Great Society Nine. Climax Ten. 1968 Eleven. Denouement Notes Bibliography Index

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