The Phi Epsilon Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta hosted its first annual lecture on March 22. The lecture was titled “Violence in Reconstruction Texas,” by Dr. James M. Smallwood of Oklahoma State University.
Smallwood is a professor Emeritus of History at Oklahoma State University. In addition to teaching at Oklahoma, he has taught at different universities from Texas A&M at Commerce to the University of Kyoto, Japan. Smallwood is also the author of 16 books. His recent book, The Indian Texans won the Texas Library Association’s 2005 Texas Reference Source Award.
Smallwood’s lecture deals with the history of Texas after the civil war. During that time, the Ku Klux Klan was formulated, resulting in violent acts toward the freed slaves, and the creation of a “backward economic social reputation in the country.” The acts that were made caused an economic growth stunt in the south, until the New Deal took place and turned the progression around.
“It is important for students to know about what the history of the South because it is central and deals with the majority of the black community history”, says Smallwood. Furthermore he stated, “knowledge is good any time you find it.