Once Upon a Time in Texas: A Liberal in the Lone Star State (Focus on American History Series,Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin)

A prominent lawyer colorfully recounts a lost and lamented era in Texas politics: “Fascinating . . . Vivid, insightful commentary.” —Houston Chronicle Once upon a time in Texas, there were liberal activists of various stripes who sought to make the state more tolerant (and more tolerable). David Richards was one of them. In this fast-paced, often humorous memoir, he remembers the players, the strategy sessions, the legal and political battles, and the wins and losses that brought significant gains in civil rights, voter rights, labor law, and civil liberties to the people of Texas from the 1950s to the 1990s. In his work as a lawyer, Richards was involved in cases addressing the historic exclusion of minority voters; inequity in school funding; free speech violations, and more. In telling these stories, he vividly evokes the glory days of Austin liberalism, when a who’s who of Texas activists plotted strategy at watering holes such as Scholz Garden and the Armadillo World Headquarters or on raft trips down the Rio Grande and Guadalupe Rivers. Likewise, he offers vivid portraits of liberal politicians from Ralph Yarborough to Ann Richards (his former wife), progressive journalists such as Molly Ivins and the Texas Observer staff, and the hippies, hellraisers, and musicians who all challenged Texas’s conservative status quo. Written with an insider’s insights, this book records “a sweeter time when a free-associating bunch of ragtag Texans took on the establishment.” “An invaluable memoir of the time.” —Journal of Southern History Includes photos Once upon a time in Texas . . . there were liberal activists of various stripes who sought to make the state more tolerant and more tolerable. David Richards was one of them. In this fast-paced, often humorous memoir, he remembers the players, the strategy sessions, the legal and political battles, and the wins and losses that brought significant gains in civil rights, voter rights, labor law, and civil liberties to the people of Texas from the 1950s to the 1990s.

In his work as a lawyer, Richards was involved in cases covering voters' rights, school finance reform, and a myriad of civil liberties and free speech cases. In telling these stories, he vividly evokes the "glory days" of Austin liberalism, when a who's who of Texas activists plotted strategy at watering holes such as Scholz Garden and the Armadillo World Headquarters. Likewise, he offers vivid portraits of liberal politicians from Ralph Yarborough to Ann Richards (his former wife), progressive journalists such as Molly Ivins and the Texas Observer staff, and the hippies, hellraisers, and musicians who all challenged Texas's conservative status quo.

A rousing account of the Texas liberals who advanced the cause of civil rights, voter rights, labor law, and civil liberties illuminates the "glory days" of Austin liberalism when left-of-center activists reshaped the social and cultural landscape of the Lone Star State. (Politics & Government)