I wasn’t going to weigh in at all on the Washington, DC NFL team’s decision to drop the “Redskins” moniker after years of pressure. The matter is in my territory — the popular culture’s ever-evolving relationship with frontier history — but I just can’t get worked up about it. I know Indians who hate it and Indians who could give a shit about it. I’ve sort of lost most of my interest in professional sports, and I tend to try to resist getting caught up in whatever the outrage machine is spinning out, so…
Then John Boesennecker, whom I respect greatly, opined on a new push to rename the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team:
“I was shocked to read that people are calling for the Texas Rangers baseball team to change its team name. They claim that the Texas Rangers took part in violence against black people, and cite in support of that the new book ‘Cult of Glory: The Bold and Brutal History of the Texas Rangers.’ This book presents a profoundly biased and unfair treatment of the Rangers. As I point out in my biography of Texas Ranger Captain Frank Hamer, he and his Rangers led the fight against the Klan in Texas in the 1920s. Frank Hamer personally saved 15 African Americans from lynch mobs between 1908 and the 1920s. These facts are conveniently left out of the book ‘Cult of Glory.’ The folks calling for this change are ignorant of the history of the Texas Rangers.”
Well, alright then…
*
My biggest problem with demands for name changes and statue removals and all that business is that people claim it’s about being honest with history — and it’s not. It’s about weaponizing history for contemporary political purposes. I’d LOVE it if these tussels over names and pigeon roosts actually produced a “conversation” about history. I mean, there’s nothing I’d rather talk about. Helluva lot more interesting than sports. Yeah, no. Ain’t gonna happen.
Boesennecker knows, as do I, as do you, that nobody’s going to learn a damn thing about the Texas Rangers from scrapping over the name of a team in Arlington. That’s too bad. It’d be interesting to have a real “conversation” about the Texas Rangers’ mixed record when it comes to race. Unlike Boesennecker, I rather liked Cult of Glory. It didn’t come off as a hit job to me; it read as a recognition that the Rangers were part of a decades-long dirty war in rough and dirty times. But, then, I’ve read dozens of books about the Texas Rangers and can put Cult’s approach into a wider context and make allowances for its emphasis and omissions. I don’t have a knee-jerk negative reaction to “revisionist” history. Every bit of work I do incrementally expands and revises my understanding. But if you’re really looking for greater understanding, you have to work, and you have to cope with paradox and the lack of moral clarity that is inevitable when you venture out onto the dangerous borderlands.
Simply mining works like Cult for damning evidence against the Rangers is oppo research, not history.
Boesennecker is absolutely right to defend Hamer’s record. The history — all of it; the good the bad and the ugly — still matters to some of us. But history right now is merely a weapon in a battle to control the narrative, and it will be used and abused and shot out and discarded in the service of political agendas. Those of us who prize it more highly than that are in for further dismay.
I can promise you this: If and when professional sports start up again, I won’t be watching. I’ll be too busy working on a history podcast — and reading whatever John Boesennecker puts between covers. Name ’em what you want.
Matthew says
I’ve gone back and forth whether I want to read Cult of Glory. I’m wary of “revisionist” work since it often is a hit job but I have your word that it is a good book which counts a lot. What other books on the Texas Rangers have you read and would you recommend?
I finished Boesennecker’s biography of Bob Paul not to long ago.
JimC says
Walter Prescott Webb’s The Texas Rangers: A Century of Frontier Defense is the classic.
Michael L. Collins’ two volumes: Texas Devils: Rangers and Regulars on the Lower Rio Grande and Crooked River: Rustlers Rangers and Regulars on the Lower Rio Grande
Harris & Sadler: The Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution: The Bloodiest Decade 1910-1920
Robert M. Utley’s two volumes: Lone Star Justice: The Firs Century of the Texas Rangers and Lone Star Lawmen: The Second Century of the Texas Rangers
Charles M. Robinson III: The Men Who Wear the Star: The Story of the Texas Rangers
Matthew says
Thanks!
John Bullard says
I would also highly recommend a series of 4 books that are on the Rangers’ early years: “Savage Frontier” by Stephen Moore. They cover the years from 1835-1845 from just before the Texas Revolution to Texas joining the US, and are well -researched reads.
JimC says
Thanks, John. Second the motion.
Josie says
In researching for the book I’m writing on the Mexican Revolution, I also found this book that includes information on the Texas Rangers:
Revolution in Texas: How a Forgotten Rebellion and Its Bloody Suppression Turned Mexicans into Americans.
JimC says
Worthy book?
Josie says
Yes, it is well researched and well written. Probably of most interest to anyone studying the history of the Latino people and in particular South Texas. Certainly not in the texts of any Texas history books that I was exposed to growing up. It tells the story of the Plan de San Diego and the violent reaction to it during the time of the Revolution.
Josie says
Sorry – I forgot to give the author’s name – Benjamin Heber Johnson
Keith West says
“Those of us who prize it more highly than that are in for further dismay.”
It grieves me to acknowledge that you’re right.
I’d rather do pretty much anything instead of watch professional sports.
Norman Andrews says
Professional sport has only ever been about money,the rugby team Exeter Chief’s over here is now talking about changing it’s name, great for business, all the fans will now have to buy the new shrits hats and whatever else ends up with the new name on it.
Norm.
JimC says
Hadn’t thought of that angle — which is why I’ll never be a rich man. Good to hear from you again Norm.
Daniel P Meehan says
An outstanding, fair and well balanced article. Voices like yours are what is needed in this time of twisted revisionist outrage with little knowledge and riddled with biased political opinions all around.
JimC says
Thanks Daniel.
lane batot says
Just waiting for the Norwegians, Swedes, or maybe the Danes to get offended by The Vikings! And then, I reckon, PETA will havta join in and say animal mascots are disrespectful! And sooner or later, it’ll be about the Sooners!(ahem!)
Betty says
College World Series Women’s Softball is pretty good entertainment these days.
Have you visited the Texas Rangers Museum in Waco yet? Much of the artifacts on display were collected by a relative of mine. Great place. Or at least it was when I saw it in the ’90s.
JimC says
Never been to Waco. I’d love to visit that museum.
Quixotic Mainer says
I really enjoyed both the Utley books on the Rangers. I really would have liked to have met Captain Gonzuallas, he strikes me as a good man to work for. Similarly, it didn’t take much political proselytizing for me to completely write off professional sports. My wife’s folks asked her what sports teams I was into on a shopping trip, she told them that I didn’t much care unless it had horses or martial arts. Good to have a soulmate.
JimC says
Horses or martial arts — works for me.
Not really the political kerfuffles that alienated me so much as the stupid money, the over-the-top spectacle and the feeling of time wasted that could be better used DOING.
Quixotic Mainer says
I’m afraid that they are “doing”, with these actions, what it is however, is up for debate. But I agree wholeheartedly; if making things better was actually the goal, the resources applied to snake oiling are ample enough to make a good start.
Matthew says
Always enjoyed actual physical activity more than watching sports. The last time I was really into watching sports was when Michael Jordan was on the Bulls. It’s weird that you find out of shape men who spend all their time watching athletic competitions.
JimC says
Yes, I’ve always found that more off-putting than I probably should.
Matthew says
I once heard a guy complain about the elliptical that while on it he couldn’t watch football. I was bemused since I find watching football boring at all times, but I never had trouble with elliptical.
Quixotic Mainer says
I think that it’s almost an “avatar” experience, like playing a video game for those aforementioned couchbound athletics fans. Participating by proxy in faux heroics, if you just wear the jersey then you never have to do the sit ups.
Matthew says
Basically, it’s cosplay. Except that people who “nerdy” cosplay based on comic books and video games make their own so they have an actual skill. They are also usually female.