This course presents a general overview of important aspects of the civil rights history and struggle in Texas, including good and bad, of which many people are not aware. It also lays out salient themes that have arisen or re-arisen during the last few decades and are currently at play. The class sessions focus on:

• overview of the push for civil rights in the Mexican American and African American communities in Texas,

• farm worker organizing,

• police oppression,

• privacy rights,

• immigration and violence against women,

• poor people and access to the courts,

• disability rights, and

• free speech and assembly.

There is no textbook, but a bibliography will supplement class discussions. For each class, students will be expected to do readings, which are available on the internet or provided by the instructor. Discussion and critical thinking are valued. No written papers. Our instructor is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, past Director of the South Texas Project in the Rio Grande Valley, and former Legal Director of the Texas Civil Liberties Union. A leading civil rights attorney nationally and former university and law school professor, he served as César Chávez’ Texas attorney for 18 years.  His recent memoir published by U.T. Press, The Texas Civil Rights Project: How We Built a Social Justice Movement, will provide the framework for the class. Limit 25.

Jim Harrington
1:00—3:00 P.M. Monday, Starts Feb. 16
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Howson Hall
4700 Grover Avenue (78756)