The original cowboys were all white. Meaning, they were all Caucasians. However, long before they came into being, there were already other cowboys on the making. This was in Texas where a group of slaves worked in ranches. The period was the early nineteenth century. As was discussed above, cowboys mainly gained prominence in the late nineteenth century. Black slaves were mainly born into slavery, but they later gained a life away from slavery in the ranches. This is where the thesis of this paper is deduced. Black men became cowboys so as to avoid the discrimination and shame associated with slavery. Since open discrimination and all the vices associated with slavery mainly existed in the city, black men found solace in the country side as ranchers. This is where they could escape the unfortunate vices associated with blacks and slavery. Consequently, the research question becomes, did black men become cowboys so as to avoid the discrimination and shame associated with slavery? That is a question that requires a serious answer.
Towards the end of the 19th Century, there arose a group of some kind of special animal herders in the United States. In addition, they arose in Canada and Mexico. They were given the name cowboys. Though cowgirls also later arose, the original name of cowboys stuck. This name arose from a Mexican word “Vaquero” which literally means legend. It can also mean a person of significance. The role of cowboys was mainly ranching. However, they got involved with other special tasks such as rodeos. Cowboys were not exclusive to North America. They also emerged in Australia and South America. Some scholarly works have adduced the rise of this group of people to Spain (Wukovits, 1997). They have in fact given the evidence of climate and the terrain. These works suggest that this is what influenced the cowboy kind of life.
Civil War in the United States changed a lot of things. After it was over, many black men and women ran away from the cities and got employment. Many became housebreakers while few became managers and foremen. The expansion of the industry of cattle rearing gave the push that the then white cattle farmers needed so as to expand their ranches. This made them to hire not only black employees, but also American Indians. The Civil War pushed former soldiers westwards where they sought to be employed (Wukovits, 1997).
Now, did black men become cowboys so as to escape the discrimination and shame associated with slavery? To answer this, it must be first found out whether only blacks sought to become cowboys besides the whites. The answer is no. As noted, the civil war drove all races westwards in search of employment. From Caucasians to Mexicans and even American Indians, all the races sought employment in Texas and the surrounding areas. Therefore, the main reason why people went westwards was for employment. However, it must be noted that prior to the Civil War, slavery was extensive. Thus many black individuals were tired with the discrimination associated with their skin color. From both angles of the argument, an answer cannot be deduced. Therefore, individual black cowboys’ lives must be examined.
The first individual lives to be looked at will be Bose Ikard, Bob Leavitt and Isom Dart. These three gentlemen came from different area of the Confederacy. Before they moved to Texas, they were soldiers who participated in the revolutionary war. After the War, they were unable to find unemployment, thus could not make ends meet. They were desperate. They could not find work because of the color of their skin. They experienced discrimination and shame for their skin color. After word coming to them that there were ranches in the west where the owners were hiring people to take care of their cattle, they moved there. Bose Ikard ended up becoming a top rancher and drover. The three black cowboys had been slaves and had experienced firsthand discrimination. However, when they moved to Texas, discrimination and shame associated with their skin color ended. They only knew that they would not experience discrimination and shame associated with their skin color. Consequently, the validity of the thesis is proven in this case.
The next examples of Black Cowboys to be examined are Addisson Jones and Bill Picket. William Picket, who was more popular with his name Mr. Wild, made a name for himself as one of the best rodeo performers in Texas. In fact, he is the one who started the bulldogging event. He had his name inducted in the Hall Fame of Cowboys in the year 1971. On the other hand, much of Addisson Jones’ life is not known. The only information about him exists because of his scant association with Mr. Wild. These two gentlemen were slaves. In fact, before they moved westwards, they experienced discrimination of the worst kind. They were unable to find jobs, because of their race. They were also verbally and physically abused in the city where they grew up. Therefore, when they heard that there was no discrimination in the west and they could find employment there, they wasted no opportunity to relocate. In the beginning of their stay, they were mere cattle ranchers. Nevertheless, they earned a living and even settled down with their respective families (Stewart & Ponce, 1986). With time, they exploited their talents and rose in the rank to become black cowboys with enviable positions. Indeed, there is scant evidence that Addisson even became the sheriff and was respected.
The above begs the question, did the two become cowboys to avoid the discrimination and shame associated with slavery. The obvious answer is yes. In the nineteenth century, slavery was at its peak and as noted, the two black men had one desire, to escape it. The Civil War made things better and after the international community passed the legislation outlawing slavery, things became better but there was a time lag before the implementation of that law in North America (Massey, 2000). Therefore, the black community still suffered in the hands of their oppressors. This therefore was the aim of the two men, to escape the slavery effect that was more prominent in the city where they lived. As a result, they did escape the oppression and found better lives. This therefore, proves the thesis statement that black cowboys came to be ion order to escape the cruel slavery and the shame, and the discrimination associated with it.
The final black cowboys whose lives are going to be examined are Daniel Wallace, Charles Goodnight and John Ware. Unlike the previous cowboys looked at, these three are completely unrelated. Charles Goodnight was a servant to Bose Ikard and served as his banker and detective. Daniel Wallace on the other hand ended up becoming one of the richest cowboys of his time by using his savings to buy over 1.200 acres of land and over 600 cattle (Randolph, 2003). This wealthy black cowboy previously worked as a rancher where he saved his earnings and used it to acquire his wealth. Information about John Ware is scant. Like information about most black cowboys. However, it can be truthfully said that, like Mr. Wallace, he was a wealthy rancher. He also had a big family.
The three men most probably never knew one another. Despite this, they had a lot in common. Both worked hard for what they acquired in their lifetime. Likewise, their reasons for moving west were similar. Like the former cowboys discussed, they were slaves and only the war made things easier for them. After war, they wanted to use the skills they acquired working as slaves in order to earn an income. This is because they no longer worked as slaves. They were thrown out of their masters’ houses. After word came to them that there were opportunities in the west for everybody and racism was unheard of, none of them took it to chance. All the three men rushed westwards to take advantage. They started small, but ended up finishing big. They made names for themselves and became men with enviable positions in the society. Their hard work coupled with their skills enabled them to be who they are. What began as an escape of slavery and the discrimination, and shame associated with it ended being a blessing for the three me. The opportunities they got when they moved to the west helped. Therefore, like the previous book, these three men support the thesis that black men became cowboys in order to avoid the discrimination and shame associated with it. They also answer the research question.
Arguments may arise that the black cowboys were never actually cowboys per say. These arguments are allowed. Yet, it must be noted that cowboy life was a way of making a living. Rodeo shows, ranching, horse breaking and other activities associated with cowboy life were a way to earn a living. They put up shows that they charged for and the cattle were a source of wealth. Black cowboys dominated mainly in the ranching sections. This is why in Texas, the black community still work mainly in the industry of ranching. In modern times, the family inherited ranches still bear the signatures of their proprietors. The family members who have inherited them endeavor to bring recognition for them. A good example of such a ranch is the ranch of Taylor Stevenson. This ranch is fourth generation ranch.
The families of former ranchers have kept the legacies of the black proprietors of the ranches. The reasons why black men moved westwards with their families are diverse. Nevertheless, it is clear that escape of slavery and its effects are prominent. As discussed above, most black men wanted to escape slavery. They wanted jobs. They wanted to earn a living. Therefore, they moved to become cowboys in western areas like Texas and Buffalo. By moving there, they avoided the effects of slavery and the discrimination, and shame associated with it.
In conclusion, the thesis id proved. Black men became cowboys to avoid slavery and the discrimination, and shame associate with it. The research question is also answered. The answer is yes. Black men became black cowboys to avoid slavery and the discrimination, and the shame associated with it. There was assimilation in the western part of the Confederacy, including Texas and Buffalo. This is what made most races to move there. The races which were most affected by racism were African Americans and American Indians. They were the one who were most advantaged by the lack of racism in the western part of the country. Therefore, there arose Indian cowboys just like Black cowboys.
Black cowboys eventually became rich and famous. Their acts and skills were unmatched. Being assimilated into the community enabled them to be just like the Caucasians with similar opportunities. In conclusion, the thesis id proved. Black men became cowboys to avoid slavery and the discrimination, and shame associate with it. The research question is also answered. The answer is yes.
References
DeAngelis, G. (1998). The Black cowboys. Philadelphia PA: Chelsea House Publishers.
Massey, S. R. (2000). Black cowboys of Texas. College Station: Texas A & M University Press.
Miller, R. H., & Leonard, R. (1991). Cowboys. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Silver Burdett Press.
Randolph, R. P. (2003). Black cowboys. New York: PowerKids Press.
Stewart, P. W., & Ponce, W. Y. (1986). Black cowboys. Broomfield, Colo: Phillips Pub.
Wukovits, J. F. (1997). The black cowboys. Philadelphia: Chelsea House.
America's black cowboys fight for their place in history - CNN.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/15/world/black-cowboys/
Little Known Black History Fact: Black Cowboys | Black America Web. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://blackamericaweb.com/2012/11/19/little-known-black-history-fact-black-cowboys/
