Podcast Summary
Black Cowboys in American History: One in four cowboys in the American West were black, challenging the popular image of cowboys as blonde-haired, blue-eyed men. Black cowboys like Nat Love, John Ware, and Bill Pickett made significant contributions, including inventing bull dogging, but many of their names have been lost to history.
The image and myth of the cowboy in American history is often limited to blonde-haired, blue-eyed men, but in reality, one in four cowboys in the American West were black. This revelation challenges the popular perception of this time period and the contributions of black people in Western expansion after the Civil War. Black cowboys like Nat Love, John Ware, and Bill Pickett played significant roles in the West, with Bill Pickett even inventing the technique of bull dogging, which is the origin of the phrase "grab the bull by its horns." Despite their achievements, many of these black cowboys' names have been lost to history, and authors and podcasters like Walter Thompson Hernandez are working to change that.
Unexpected Attention for Black Cowboys and Cowgirls: During the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, a group of black horse riders in Houston gained unexpected attention, highlighting the existence and importance of the long-overlooked community of black cowboys and cowgirls.
The Nonside Riders trail riding group in Houston, which was founded in 2016, has gained unexpected attention during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, as images of black people riding horses through the streets went viral. The group, which includes both horse owners and those who ride in a wagon, is a part of a larger community of black cowboys and cowgirls who have long existed but have often been overlooked. Cassandra Johnson, the first lady of the group, shares her experience of being surprised by the viral videos, as horseback riding is a normal part of her life. Walter Thompson Hernandez, who grew up in Los Angeles and was surprised by the sight of black cowboys as a child, also reflects on the importance of remembering the history of black cowboys and their continued presence in contemporary society. The Nonside Riders group serves as a reminder that there are thriving communities of black horse riders, and that their history and presence should not be forgotten.
Uncovering the Hidden History of Black Cowboys: The history of black cowboys has been underrepresented due to historical amnesia and deliberate erasure, but their stories are important and relevant, as shown by the popularity of Lil Nas X's Old Town Road and the release of Red Dead Redemption 2.
The story of black cowboys has been historically underrepresented in mainstream American history, a result of both historical amnesia and deliberate erasure by gatekeepers. Walter's encounter with two black men on horses sparked his curiosity and led him on a journey to explore this overlooked aspect of American history. In 2018, Walter's New York Times article about black cowboys in Compton coincided with the rise of Lil Nas X's Old Town Road, which also challenged assumptions about who could be a cowboy. The song gained popularity through social media and the release of Red Dead Redemption 2, further highlighting the relevance and importance of acknowledging the existence and contributions of black cowboys in American history.
Intersection of Hip Hop and Country Music: Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road': Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' sparked controversy as it blended hip hop and country music, with the artist facing challenges in being recognized as a country artist due to his race. The song's success led to a resurgence of the 'yeehaw agenda' and a debate on who gets to define what a cowboy is.
The intersection of hip hop and country music, as represented by Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road," sparked a controversial yet significant moment in popular culture. The song's success led to a resurgence of the "yeehaw agenda," which has historically straddled the line between these two genres. However, Lil Nas X, a black man from Atlanta, faced challenges in being recognized as a country artist due to both his race and genre blend. The controversy surrounding the song's country music classification reached new heights when Billboard removed it from the hot country chart. The release of a remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus aimed to address this issue and ultimately propelled the song to even greater heights. The debate over who gets to define what a cowboy is continues, with the emergence of black cowboy communities challenging traditional perceptions. Walter Thompson Hernandez's book, "The Compton Cowboys," further explores this topic and sheds light on the rich history and contemporary realities of black cowboys in America.
From Horses to Safety: The Compton Cowboys' Story: The Compton Cowboys, an urban horse riding group in Compton, CA, found solace and protection in their community and horses, providing a sense of safety from violence and gangs. Their story highlights the power of community, resilience, and finding something transformative.
The Compton Cowboys, a group of urban horse riders in Compton, California, have a unique connection to their community and their horses that goes beyond just a hobby. For many of them, horse riding became a way to find solace and protection in their environment, where being on horseback can provide a sense of safety from police violence and gangs. The group's origins can be traced back to 1988 when Maisha Akbar started the Compton Junior Posse organization. The riders, who stopped riding in their teenage years, reconnected in their mid-twenties and officially formed the Compton Cowboys. The impact of these riders on their community is significant, as they are seen as a positive influence and a source of pride. In contrast, in urban communities, horses can represent a shield and a sense of armor for riders. The Compton Cowboys' story serves as a reminder of the power of community, resilience, and the transformative effect of finding something that brings people together.
Cassandra's peaceful protest against loud music ticket: A loud music ticket led to a peaceful protest, highlighting community frustration with police enforcement and the desire for respectful communication
Cassandra and her husband's experience of receiving a loud music ticket during a Friday night party led to frustration and anger, culminating in a peaceful protest with their Nonstop Riders community the following day. Cassandra expressed her disappointment that her husband, a working man and taxpayer, was issued a ticket for complying with a police officer's request to change the music. This incident fueled her anger and led the group to organize a protest, riding in on their wagon with red shirts and raised fists. Cassandra emphasized that she did not want to be disrespectful, but felt compelled to speak out against this experience and the larger issues it represented.
Teaching children to navigate fear with law enforcement: Black parents instill love but teach kids to cope with potential danger during law enforcement interactions, highlighted by Cassandra's personal experiences and the community's response to George Floyd's death.
Despite the pride and love instilled in their children, many Black parents are forced to teach them how to navigate fear and potential danger during interactions with law enforcement. This reality was brought home for Cassandra when her son and husband were both subjected to such experiences. The death of George Floyd, who was a family friend, was an especially painful reminder of the potential consequences. In response, Cassandra and her community took to the streets to protest and raise awareness, with Marcus joining on horseback. Marcus shared his overwhelmingly positive experience of participating in the ride. Overall, this conversation underscores the need for systemic change to address the disproportionate impact of police interactions on Black communities.
Black men and women on horses at protests symbolize power, resilience, and the quest for racial equality: The sight of Black riders at protests challenges historical power dynamics and represents Black presence, political expression, and creativity.
The sight of Black men and women riding horses at protests against racism and police brutality carries a powerful symbolism that speaks to historical power dynamics and the resilience of Black communities. This image challenges the historical representation of white men on horses as symbols of power and control, and instead, represents Black presence, political expression, and the quest for racial equality. The Black cowboy groups are more than just trail riding groups; they are a statement of existence and a call for change. The use of horses as vehicles for this message highlights the creativity and resourcefulness of Black communities throughout history. The image of Black men and women on horses at protests is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the importance of representation and self-expression.
