Roping as a Way of Life: The Proud History of Texas' Black Cowboys

Cleo Hearn has been going to rodeos, roping calves and living the cowboy life since the 1950s. As a professional black cowboy, he's also faced racism and significant challenges that white cowboys have not. Now, he puts on cowboys of color rodeos across the state.
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[@LilliLamour]

I'm from Texas and come from a family with black cowboys. I'm very proud of it too.

[@mdspider]

Proud descendant of a Texas cowboy!

[@Punchy40]

This is awesome! Cleo helped pave a road to help allow other Cowboys of Colour to continue on and do amazing things. Fred Whitfield a 7 time World Champion and Calgary Stampede winner, and Cory Soloman also a Calgary Stampede winner. When they battled it out in a tie breaker in Calgary in 2012, it was a moment I will never forget. Let's not forget about Bill Pickett who is credited with inventing steer wrestling. There are many more that I haven't included, but I am so happy that you guys made this! I love seeing all the things you guy are making keep it up!

[@GardenBandits]

I went to the Invitational Black Rodeo last night and I will never be the same. I am so proud of my people. We do it all!

[@itumelengmokoena6886]

Am from South Africa and I love black cowboys, i love you elder.

[@adellanolden8593]

I loved this article on Cleo Hearn!!!! Thank you for putting together such a great article - the story and videography were excellent!!

[@michaeldavis9733]

I wish people of all colors would learn real American History before it is forgotten

[@adrielpublishing]

What a wonderful piece. Thanks for documenting and sharing a history and legend that many people know nothing about. See you on the trail, Liz Lawless

[@bruceweaver6584]

I must say even the police department is proud to know you Cleo Hearn (ha! ha!). What a great piece of documentation for others to learn more about the Cowboys of Color and Cleo Hearn. I am thankful that our circles overlapped and it was all for the better for me. Continue to be the man of true grit by serving others. Very few people know what a great gentleman you are and how you served on the 'Honor Guard' at 'The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier' in the military. Your roots are deeply bedded in this country and we have been truly blessed by having you as a friend. Your family as created a great legacy.Your friend until the end,LT. Bruce Weaver (retired--RED)

[@cathee_with_2_ees569]

Very Nice Interview! I know Cleo had it hard back in the 50s and 60s. I'm from Texas and spent most of my summers in Mississippi. I've been watching black cowboys since I was a toddler. Fortunately, I never thought twice about what color the Cowboy was......I was just excited to watch each one of them (win or lose). I guess it's all in your raisin'. Thanks Cleo for being Big and Bold! You're one heck of a Cowboy!

[@Redasurc]

As a 7th generation Texan this warms my heart

[@SobayoSowemimoCoker]

THANK YOU! for uploading this documentary onto KZbin I found it to be INSIGHTFUL and INFORMATIVE. Thank you, thank you, thank you

[@charlybrown954]

Well educated men.

[@TheBluesmanBlue]

Well said and done sir 👌 and thank you and your family for keeping black cowboy & cowgirl rodeos alive🐎

[@jonnyhatter35]

Yo, that man is a true OG. A patriarch. God bless him and God bless America

[@janbillups9156]

Your are the best Mr Hearn. Keep on sharing that history so many have yet to learn.God BlessJan Billups Meitzen formerly of Steppin Back Guest Ranch

[@jimmiedavis1970]

refreshing. AWESOME :)

[@fullplate100]

This is cool.

[@averhamilton]

@1:59 yo. This kid knows....he knows and is singing it to the heavens

[@cheyennes.1551]

Watching this In 2020 and it just gives me motivation to continue the Traditions and Heritage. But since I’m from LA county you could say I’m one of the Last Dude Cowboys :)

[@silverado2004]

God bless.

[@zacharyjohnson598]

Mr. Tejano.

[@leonardoarriaga8525]

Great Rodeo

[@ray1983able]

After watching this I wouldnt mind going to one of these rodeo's events.

[@ReconExpert52]

The term COWBOY originated from blacks who tended to cattle. Whites refused to call black men sir, mister, man or brother. They called black men “BOYS” as disrespect and void of honor. This is where the term COWBOY came from! True Amerikkkan History

[@justmyself1000]

This is correct. (I'm a Texan) And one is of black might prefer to be called a "Cowmen" or "Cowman."

[@AsianManiac252]

AYY 8 minutes

[@emanrodr2736]

Cowboys originated in Mexico from Mexicans.....

[@faisaladinugraha7578]

Black Cowboy are 100% Genuine American Cowboy...

[@filipsperez]

Black people Discovered New Mexico? New Mexico was founded by Nuno Beltran de Guzman who was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. He was full blooded Spanish but married a direct descendant of Moctezuma. There might have been some black people in the group like there were in the group that founded Los Angeles, along with Filipinos. The art of being of cowboy was developed in Mexico by the Mexican Natives ( The Mexica and the Tlaxcaltecs) who became allies of the Spanish once the conquest was over. These native people were given the right to own and ride horses freely and participated in the conquering of the Americas along with the Spanish,, and they were the ones who developed this elaborate and complicated art form. To get a taste of what I am talking about look at some videos on the art of Charreria, which is the national sport of Mexico. Why are there no cowboys in Cuba or the Dominican republic, which is where the majority of Black people brought by the Spanish to the Americas reside today? Just so that you know. The Hawaiians were cowboys before the Americans became cowboys. The king of Hawaii invited Mexicans from California to teach Hawaiians how to be cowboys due to the fact that there were many cows roaming freely, which were brought to the islands by the English.

[@chadtep7571]

filipsperez He's referring to Estevanico. He is recognized as the first non native to set foot in the present day American Southwest.

[@chadtep7571]

filipsperez Also blacks had roles in every position on Cuban and Dominican ranches.

[@DavidSaintloth]

@filipsperez, Great history there brother, I think the statement regarding "first" is in reference to the American (US) context. Of course the indigenous peoples of the area who had been introduced to cattle ranching by the Spanish were recruited in that effort before or during the time that Africans were finding their way (or being brought) out West. It's important to highlight the nuanced context of the contributions of our ancestors of color to the nostalgia of our modern nations...often their contributions are erased or minimized and that is always at the hand of the one common enemy we all share , white supremacy. Thanks again for the post!

[@creoleperez6971]

Go head pardner ..I'm seventy ..old cowboy that will be looking for something to rope in heaven 🐎🐎🐎

[@imemovengeance]

When I go to rodeos all the black American cowboys seem to be from up north like NY and a few from Canada but that's just what I see from the south east. Good bull riders though.

[@EpicSxm]

nuh uh

[@williepurdom9253]

The first cowboy was Afrikan American.