Timely ASU Lecture: How Early Mexican Immigration Agitated Race Relations

SAN ANGELO – The Dr. Arnoldo De Leon Department of History at Angelo State University will present its second annual Lone Star Lecture Series featuring Dr. Miguel A. Levario, an associate professor of U.S. history at Texas Tech University, on Wednesday, March 22, in the Houston Harte University Center, 1910 Rosemont Drive.

Titled "The Myth of the Mexican Nemesis in the 20th Century," Levario's presentation will begin at 6 p.m. in the University Center's C.J. Davidson Conference Center and is free and open to the public.

In his presentation, Levario will explore the history of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. Topics of discussion will include how Mexican immigration to Texas in the early decades of the 20th century agitated race relations, as well as the diverse ways the Mexican Revolution of 1910 impacted diplomatic, economic and ethnic relations along the border.

A native of El Paso, Levario is also the program coordinator for Mexican American and Latina/o Studies at Texas Tech. He specializes in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands with an emphasis on the 20th century, and his research focuses on the transnational context of immigration, militarization and race in the U.S. West and Northern Mexico.

In his book, "Militarizing the Border: When Mexicans Became the Enemy," Levario explains current tensions and controversy over immigration and law enforcement issues centered on the U.S.-Mexico border. He has also contributed chapters to several other books, including "War Along the Border: The Mexican Revolution and Tejano Community" by former ASU history professor, Dr. Arnoldo De Leon, which won the 2011 Robert A. Calvert Book Prize.

Additionally, Levario has published numerous articles and book reviews in the Journal of American History, Aztlan, Civil War History and The Chronicles of Oklahoma, among other journals. He has also presented his research at the Organization of American Historians, Western Historical Association, Texas State Historical Association and other state, national and international conferences.

Among his many honors and awards, Levario has earned a President's Excellence in Diversity and Equity Award from Texas Tech University, and he has been named a Texas Tech Honors College Faculty Member of the Year. He was also awarded a Marlene Nathan Meyerson Fellowship by the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas.

The Lone Star Lecture Series annually hosts outside scholars of Texas history to deliver a keynote address coinciding with the anniversary of Texas Independence in March. It is supported by ASU's Dorsey B. Hardeman Endowed Chair in History.