the secret with which I am acquainted

Photographed in Australia circa 1938

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Contrary to old Hollywood films, the majority of America’s Cowboys were African American, Native American or Mexican. The romanticism of the “Old West” by “city dwellers” during the turn of century led to the publishing of memoirs and short stories marketed to children. Of course in white America, a person of color was not seen as a hero nor as a role model; but as property and support staff to be rarely seen and never heard, and all free people of color were thought to be criminals. The idea of publishing stories featuring non-whites was deemed a “bad idea” so the characters were written as white men and women even in stories that were about real historical situations. As the advent of motion pictures occurred during the same time frame, there were no “colored” actors and all roles were given to whites. Not until the 1960’s was an acknowledgement of the eradication and a rewriting of history even acknowledged. To this day, many persons of color in America have a false sense of history that has been forced upon them.

Dolly Parton on the Queen Latifah Show.

Tennessee

(Museum of Costume and Lace, Brussels)

Tea Gown, 1880

with Mick Ronson