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FROM BULL RIDING TO TEACHING

In today’s world, African-American cowboys see the profession taking on a new role in teaching and shaping the hearts and values of challenged, disadvantaged young black youth
“We have a tremendous opportunity to build on this rich heritage by using it to help our youth,” said David “Rookie” Brooks, a third generation black cowboy from Mansfield near Fort Worth. “We can save a lot of kids from gangs and streets, redirect that energy in a non-violent positive way that helps our young people find their way in life.”

Brooks, who comes from family of 15, started working on ranches training horses, bull-riding, roping calves and learning cowboy skills from his uncles 27 years ago, is one of the highlighting stars in the 2004 Cowboys of Color Invitational Southwest tour that visited Fort Worth last week.
The rodeo includes calf roping; barrel racing, bull riding, horseback riding, relays and more.
According to Brooks, he was inspired by former black cowboy greats Nate Love, Bill Pickett and Myrtis Dightman and numerous other stories passed to his generation about the many great African Americans who helped tame and settle the great southwest.
Pickett inspired many African American cowboys and is the first African American voted into Oklahoma City’s Cowboy Hall of Fame and is known as the father of “bulldogging”, an unusual style of steer wrestling that uses the teeth to subdue a steer. A bronze statue of Pickett stands as a tribute to his accomplishments at the Fort Worth Cowtown Coliseum.
“This rodeo is one way to expose our youth to the Black history and excitement of cowboy sports,” he said. “However, we need more support and opportunities in the community for youth to come and participate.”

Like Brooks, J.W. Hutson is working to transfer the history and skills of the African American cowboy and rodeo to the next generation.
“We must never keep our history alive and never forget it,” Hutson said. “Too much is being lost. The black cowboy played a vital part in developing America and youth need to be aware of this.”
Hutson, 53, is active in rodeos; works with Dallas youth in schools shares the excitement of rodeo and his experiences on a regular basis.
“This was the first equal opportunity institution in this country,” he said. “Our goal is to educate kids on how this is linked to African American history and to get them involved.”
According to Hutson, the value of rodeo helps build character in youth by teaching discipline and promoting respect for people, animals and the importance of responsibility.
“These are valuable lessons in life that go far beyond the dirt, mud, roping and riding,” he said. “It is a program that teaches you how to develop relationships, forge friendships and respect for rules and competition and those are invaluable life skills that help the total community.”
Cowboy professional and promoter Cleo Hearn said today’s cowboys are a tremendous testimony to the perseverance of African American savvy and talent.
Hearn started in rodeo after meeting famous black cowboy Marvel Rogers in Oklahoma. Hearn gave up baseball for rodeo and has dedicated his life to educating, entertaining youth and family about the value of rodeo to developing family ties.

According to Hearn, some of the greatest changes in rodeo today compared to the days of segregation are that more and more black cowboys are financially independent and come from all walks of life to rodeo.
Prior to integration, many black cowboys were forced to learn and perform behind the scenes or after white cowboys held their shows.
“They also represent a growing segment of black economic power in the African American community,” he said. “We are making an economic statement and combined with the history of our survival represents and sends a strong message about the strength African Americans as a people.”

Black professionals touring with the rodeo today include successful pilots, teachers, doctors, lawyers and business and members the media.
“It demonstrates how far we have come and the talents and skills we have that many are unaware of,” Hearn said, “I am proud of this long heritage and believe our youth can benefit and learn from the role models we have doing this today.”
Known as “Mr. Black Cowboy”, Hearn believes that rodeo strengthens family values and proved that by transferring his hard work and knowledge to his four sons who today work with him to produce the “Cowboy of Color” rodeos and competes nationwide.
He also paved the way for aspiring black cowboys founding the American Black Cowboys Association.

“We can learn from people of the old west,” he said. “People depended on each other, worked together and survived and we need more of that, especially when it comes to preparing children for life.”
Hearn’s message and efforts have grown into a major annual event for Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Mesquite and Oklahoma.
Like Brooks and Hutson, Hearn also sees involvement as a way to bridge racial gaps and keep youth out of gangs and trouble.
He said his goal is to continue promoting the values of rodeo among families and youth in working and building their dreams as long as he is able. “I believe to be happy in life you need three things,” he said. “Something to love, something to do and something to look forward to and rodeo has the power to fill those needs in the lives of many of our youth.”