BLACK OUTLAWS, COWBOYS AND LAWMEN OF THE OLD WILD WEST

The Black West

When you hear about black outlaws and cowboys of the Old West, you might be sitting there scratching your head: “Why that’s an oxymoron! I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

Yeah, I know you haven’t because they were literally “whitewashed” (pun intended) out of Old West history. Oh, I know you may have heard of the “Buffalo Soldiers,” but that was only part of the story. According to historians, about a third of all the cowboys were African Americans. Bet you never saw that in the movies when you were growing up did you? Neither did I!

The doctrine of white supremacy and the inferiority of blacks and other non-whites permeated the air during the old west and after that. So, the exploits of black cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws in the storied history of the Old West wasn’t deemed important or worthy enough of inclusion in the annals of Old West history. This was reserved for white men only.

I mentioned black lawmen, and you probably thought "black lawmen?" while scratching your head at the same time. I thought the same thing when I first started researching the true history of the Old West.

Music Credits:

Tracks :

1.- Horseback Riding
Hunting for Sunsets

2.-Black Pony
Hunting for Sunsets

[richardcolemanjr]

Great Grand Mother said there is "So Much Black History In America, Ain't Enough Time To Tell It."

[kano]

My Grandfather and Great Grandfather were Black Texas COWBOYS!!! My grandfather told me, the Old Man NEVER worked! He owned acres of land and sold cattle! My Grandfather would always say, HOW BOUT DEM 🤠" He lived to be 93 years of age! Rest in peace Grand -PAPA &

[CopperAboriginies]

This is the most awesome story of Black men ever told from the late 1800s into 1900's. How come this wasn't taught to us in the schools as we grow up as children, it could have taught during Negro history week. Bass Reveese we've all heard of him and about this notorious Law man. This is a very interesting and mind opening experience. Thank you for hopefully there's more coming this a great teaching tool of the real OG's not these wannabe people of today.

[gaddyify]

I love Cherokee Bill last words. "I came here to die, not to make a speech."

[robincarter]

I KNEW ABOUT MR. BASS BACK IN THE 80'S.  I HAD A GREAT BLACK HISTORY TEACHER.

[catherineaiello]

Why Hollywood hasn’t done a movie on Bass Reeves is beyond me.

[ericmuhammad]

It's sad that we did not get this kind of history in the School system.

[dupaul]

A real representation of African American cowboys in movies and television is something we need right now. The television show Hell on Wheels on AMC is the only positive representation I have seen over the last 30 years. Jim Brown played Arizona Deputy Sheriff Lyedecker in the 1965 Movie 100 Rifles. Watching a black man confront racism and uphold the law while chasing bad guys put a smile on my face. I have asked many times individuals who work in the entertainment industry were are the western movies and tv shows? Thier standered reply. "It cost to much money to make westerns today." Hollywood can create Game of Thrones and superhero movies, but three buildings a cow and a dog is to much money?! Telling the truth about the past will show African Americans in a positive light. Rangers, Soliders, Stagecoach drivers, trackers, spies, ranchers, etc. Thank you for putting this video together it is a great history lesson for everyone. This is not just black history. This is American History.

[sandraurquia]

He was the real long ranger# He always had a native accompanying him in the Indian Territories (Tonto)! His story is told on American Heroes!

[MrPrshaff]

The world needs more people like Mister Bass Reeves!!!

[imawakeareyou]

Got emotional watching this, black people please do your research - PLEASE !!

[aubreywhaley]

So Motherfucken Proud to be Black! Thank you for those persons that paved the way and illustrated dignity beyond compare.

Teach our boys to be men not pants saggers women bashers excusers no jobbers dont know when to open doors for women and elders its been time teach all boys to be men and notice their self worth for themselves and woman. Sorry had to vent

[JohnIniguez-xtpv]

Reeves life as a US Marshal became the story line for the Lone Ranger. Reeves was the original Lone Ranger. Reeves also had a trusted Indian side kick.

[STURCASE]

I am shocked by the number of commenters stating they were unaware of black cowboys. Growing in 1970's my parents bough two sets of black history encyclopedias, so this information might not have been in school books but it has been available.

[plowboygill]

The subtitles to read is good, but today I prefer being talked to. Gives more ‘feeling’ to the history.

[jacekane]

The name of this video makes it sound like a black cowboy was a pearl unicorn but really there were a lot of them.

[TheOnIyGod]

Hangman: "You have any last words"?

Cherokee Bill: "I'm here to die, not give a speech".

Tekashi6ix9ine: "Pass the Mic, Please"? 🤠

[daw]

First, Thank you for the video. Black Americans played a large role in American history. We have forgotten that not all enslaved people were Black, but they were also White, Native American, Polynesian and Chinese. Not all had to run away to acquire freedom. More often, they bought their own freedom. Yes, that happened more often than historians wish to disclose. Some even became slave owners themselves but most just moved on and lived life the best they could. The cool part, which was actually amazing, is that most fought for their nation and neighbors to protect us. Wow! People, learn about our American history. It Unites us more than separates us. Each State has an Archives online and each County of each state has also has an archives too. Discover how amazing we are. In other words, how the cake was baked. Discover our mistakes and try not to repeat them. Have fun with the information and pass it on to your children and neighbors.

[Tarkifty]

We know today that there were a lot of black cowboys in the old west.
However, the cinema movies very rarely showed them.
An injustice to be repaired.

[dewaynebanks]

Although the music was too loud, I enjoyed watching this video and the interesting information it provided. I look forward to watching more like this. I gave this a well- deserved thumbs-up. 👍🏾 I also subscribed. 🙂