The Lesser-Known History of African-American Cowboys

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Full disclosure: Donny Ferguson is a RW loon. Nevertheless, he brought the Smithsonian article to my attention, and he does deserve credit for doing that.

Donny Ferguson 🗽 Retweeted

Many cowboys were black:

Link to tweet

[Wellstone ruled]

1. This fact would have been better known

had it not been for Hollywood and it's all White Image of the so called wild west.

Sold tons of Swag and Breakfast Food ,did it not.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. I don't have the time to read the article today, but I hope the article goes into how they were

disappeared.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. So true on the disappeared.

Much like the SP Railroad getting rid of the Chinese Laborers.

Our National History has so real ugly events when it comes to Race.

[hlthe2b]

5. Not so ignored in CO, WY and MT--they were renowned on the rodeo circuits.

If you visit the several western museums out here, you'll see that they have not been forgotten. Obviously, Hollywood had different ideas, but given how they treated Native Americans in films, it is hard to be surprised.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. As a youngster,

when the Rodeo circuit hit our area of Northwestern Wisconsin,mind you this is 1946 era,there was always a couple of African American Riders. And they were darn good.

[rsdsharp]

4. There were also the Buffalo Soldiers

of the 9th, 10th, 24th, and 25th cavalry regiments. All African American regiments formed after the Civil War, and sadly largely forgotten now. They were given the name by Native Americans whom they fought in the Indian wars.

[Bradshaw3]

7. Some are keeping their tradition alive

Buffalo soldiers were stationed at Ft. Verde in Arizona. A group of reenactors educates visitors as to their history in an annual event and other times.
https://www.verdenews.com/news/2019/feb/13/fort-verde-hold-13th-buffalo-soldiers-event/

I've talked to some of them and they do a great job. Some are veterans themsleves.

[rsdsharp]

10. Thanks for posting this.

I wasn't aware of the reenactors.

[Bradshaw3]

13. They love to inform visitors

As well as honor the tradition. The Buffalo Soldiers were also used extensively in Indian and Oklahoma Territory, including during the land runs. They often faced hostility (not surprisingly) but were known for doing their jobs with professionalism.

[Blue_Tires]

8. Epic kick!

[BillyBobBrilliant]

9. There is a functional

Historic African American ranch that participates in the HUGE cattle drive event at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo each winter.
Mollie represents it well.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/native-texan/article/Historic-ranch-lies-in-Houston-s-shadow-4638390.php

[mahatmakanejeeves]

11. There's at least one AA rookie riding in the PBR this year.

Full disclosure: I am wearing cowboy boots. But I'm always wearing cowboy boots.

2019 Rookies Thriving Together

BY : JUSTIN FELISKO
APRIL 19, 2019

PUEBLO, Colo. – It was a Sunday night in Tacoma, Washington, when the group of rookie cowboys went zooming up Broadway at close to 15 mph.

The adrenaline rush of racing an electric scooter through the streets of downtown Tacoma may pale in comparison to riding a 2,000-pound bucking bull, but the competitive fire between many of the members of the 2019 rookie class remains the same.

It was in Tacoma last month when Mason Taylor, Cannon Cravens, Taylor Toves, Dylan Smith and Lawson Nobbs were racing each other all throughout the city.

“Oh, me without a doubt,” Taylor said jokingly when asked who the best racer was that night. “We found those speed bumps in the parking lot and we would jump them. We have a blast together. If there are those remote scooters anywhere, we will go out there and ride the crap out of those things.”

The 2019 rookie class is currently 10 riders deep, and the group, especially the younger trio of Taylor, Cravens and Ezekiel Mitchell, continue to push each other in the arena while remaining the best of friends outside of it.
....

RELATED: Mitchell enjoys touring Negro Leagues Baseball Hall of Fame
....

Mitchell Enjoys Touring Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

BY : JUSTIN FELISKO
MARCH 27, 2019



PUEBLO, Colo. – Ezekiel Mitchell was rocking his fresh new Kansas City Monarchs hat inside the Sprint Center locker room in downtown Kansas City with tremendous pride.

At first glance, it appeared as if Mitchell were a University of North Carolina fan for this year’s March Madness. In reality, Mitchell had bought the hat at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

Mitchell wore the Monarchs cap almost every day he was in Missouri after touring the museum last Friday before competing at the Caterpillar Classic.

The 22-year-old was always a black cowboy history buff growing up in Rockdale, Texas, but he admitted his knowledge of baseball and the Negro Leagues was lacking.

“I have always been a black cowboy. Looking into other black history is something I have been getting into lately,” Mitchell said. “When I was younger, I didn’t feel like I had time to do any of that. But looking into it now, looking into not just black history, but history of America and stuff is pretty cool.”
....



The No. 11-ranked bull rider in the world standings is now on his own path to joining a historic group of black bull riders.

At his current pace, Mitchell could become the fifth black, American-born bull rider in PBR history to qualify for the PBR World Finals if he rides at T-Mobile Arena this coming fall in Las Vegas. He would be the first black, American bull rider since Neil Holmes (2016) to do so. Brazil's Juliano da Silva also was a Velocity Tour Wild Card qualifier in 2016.

Mitchell is currently 310 points ahead of the Top 35 cutline.

Holmes qualified as a Velocity Tour wild card winner in 2015 and 2016. Therefore, Mitchell would be the first black rider to qualify via the world standings since Lee Akin in 2005.

“I would be the first one to qualify in 14 years,” Mitchell said. “That would be pretty cool. But you definitely can’t forget what Neil did too.”

RELATED: Ezekiel & Ouncie Mitchell inspired by Sampson
....

[Nitram]

12. There's a troop of Buffalo Soldiers here in Virginia that sets up a booth at various culture fairs

and other events. Tend to ride big Harley Davidsons...

https://www.facebook.com/BSMCVA/