For years, America's frontier has been portrayed as mostly White, overshadowing the history of Black people in western culture. But one photographer saddled up to explore the deep history of Black cowboys in the United States. Clint Eastwood movies and shows like Bonanza were prime examples of what it meant to be a true cowboy.
But the media's portrayal of only White cowboys isn't the full story of western culture. Since the 1850s, Black cowboys could be found from Kentucky to Texas, hosting rodeos and rounding cattle since the Civil War era. Ivan McClellan is a professional photographer and author of the book "8 Seconds," a picture book that highlights the history of Black cowboys.
Movies Some of the earliest visuals of Black cowboys go all the way back to Nat Love. But even today you can see them perform in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo — one of the most notable rodeos with all Black competitors. And while the men ride and show off their shiny spurs, there's a common misconception about who's really holding the reigns of the show.
"The women are generally in charge and that's something you really wouldn't expect," McClellan said. "The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo — touring rodeo — that there is and it's run mostly by women. Valeria Cunningham is the president and a lot of the leaders under her are women.
" McClellan's new book shows Black people embracing western-style clothing in everyday life as ranchers and performers. The book also underscores the hardship.
