Will brown & black people ever get credit for the "American cowboy" aesthetic?

@mohuyaakhan

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Why it worked

The video likely resonated due to its timely discussion of cultural appropriation and historical revisionism, particularly in relation to a popular aesthetic. By highlighting overlooked contributions and connecting them to contemporary artists, it tapped into a desire for more inclusive narratives and sparked conversation.

Summary

This video discusses the origins of the "American cowboy" aesthetic, highlighting the contributions of brown and black people, including Native Americans, Spanish vaqueros, Mexican charros, and enslaved individuals. It critiques how this history is often overlooked, with white settlers being credited for popularizing the style. The video also touches on the cultural significance of turquoise and the appropriation of South Asian fashion elements.

Structure

1Introduction questioning credit for cowboy aesthetic
2Historical roots of cowboy culture in indigenous and Black communities
3Cultural significance of turquoise and its connection to Native American culture
4South Asian contributions and exploitation
5The role of enslaved people in cattle ranching
6Modern artists reclaiming the narrative

Original caption

The "American cowboy" aesthetic was made by brown and black folks, but no one wants you to know that 🫣 We've seen the West claim denim jeans, bandanas, turquoise jewelry, studded jeans, and cowboy culture, but let's finally give credit where credit is due 🔍 Our history textbooks don't teach this and this is why so many creatives like Beyoncé and Lil Nas received backlash for speaking out!! as always, let me know your thoughts 💖 #cowboyaesthetic #beyonce #culturalappropiation #blackculture #fashionhistory

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On-screen text

Will brown & black people ever get credit for the "American cowboy" aesthetic? Brown and black people invented the American cowboy aesthetic so why did Beyonce receive backlash and people still don't want you to know the truth The Wild West is actually about Spanish vaqueros and Mexican charros who were the first cowboys in North America before it got romanticized in western media Native Americans and them introduced roping techniques fringe and clothing styles like studded jeans that meant a lot more than just aesthetic designs turquoise is a color that's super trendy this season but I bet you didn't know that it's a big part of Native American culture where it's a symbol of happiness and protection from evil bandanas and indigo for denim blue that are also a huge part of this Americana aesthetic comes from South Asians where Bengali farmers were exploited by the British and this is also the part that many history textbooks leave out but when white settlers left in the 1860s to fight in the Civil War they left behind their enslaved folks to tend to their cattle they were used as unpaid labor to maintain the cattle herding and lassoing up herds even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed them historians say that one in four cowboys were black and they pioneered the wide brimmed hats leather chaps and boots for harsh weather but yet white settlers are still credited for making it mainstream and if you've noticed there's a common thread of the same people continuously erasing our cultural history it belongs to us and it always will and we need to be the ones to tell the story now we see incredible artists like Beyonce and Lil NAS reclaiming the narrative Pharrell x Louis Vuitton by bringing this back to a global audience you know I have so many more things to say South Asian fashion was seen as "uncivilized" & "tacky" until the whole world tried ripping it off so make sure to follow along for more videos like this this is BALLOON PANTS DHOTI PANTS You know that the puppy quite luxury and the old money so make sure to follow along for more videos like this let me know what your thoughts are down below

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