The African Texans

Immigrants of African descent have come to Texas in waves—first as free blacks seeking economic and social opportunity under the Spanish and Mexican governments, then as enslaved people who came with settlers from the deep South. Then after the Civil War, a new wave of immigration began. In The African Texans, author Alwyn Barr considers each era, giving readers a clear sense of the challenges that faced African Texans and the social and cultural contributions that they have made in the Lone Star State. With wonderful photographs and first-hand accounts, this book expands readers’ understanding of African American history in Texas. Special features include

· 59 illustrations

· 12 biographical sketches

· excerpts from newspaper articles

· excerpts from court rulings

The African Texans is part of a five-volume set from the Institute of Texan Cultures. The entire set, entitled Texans All, explores the social and cultural contributions made by five distinctive cultural groups that already existed in Texas prior to its statehood or that came to Texas in the early twentieth century: The Indian Texans, The Mexican Texans, The European Texans, The African Texans, and The Asian Texans.

Immigrants of African descent came to Texas first as free blacks seeking opportunity under the Spanish and Mexican governments, then as enslaved people from the deep South; then after the Civil War, a new wave of immigration began. Here, Alwyn Barr considers each era, giving readers a clear sense of the challenges that faced African Texans and the social and cultural contributions they have made to the Lone Star State.

About the Author:
ALWYN BARR is a history professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and has served as president of the Texas State Historical Association.

ALWYN BARR, a history professor at Texas Tech University, has served as president of the Texas State Historical Association and as advisory editor on African American history for the New Handbook of Texas.SARA R. MASSEY, general editor for Texans All, is an education specialist at the University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio, where she develops social studies instructional materials for Texas history.