Cowboy Carter Chronicles: A snowy pause in our journey

Hey y’all, welcome back to the Cowboy Carter Chronicles! This week, I was all set to dive into another enlightening session of the University of Houston’s course on the American West and the incredible contributions of Black men and women.

But as life would have it, Mother Nature had other plans. A historic snowstorm rolled through, and the class was canceled. So, unfortunately, there’s no new content to share this week.

COWBOY CARTER: Beyoncé becomes 1st Black woman to top Billboard country albums chart

In the Cowboy Carter Chronicles, Digital Producer Jyesha Johnson write a weekly series, delving into the significant Black history and cultural contributions highlighted in the course on the American West.

What I’m most excited to learn

While I’m bummed about the pause, it’s given me some time to reflect on what I’m most excited to learn as the course progresses.

One topic that has me especially eager is exploring the ways Black people freed themselves from oppression beyond the well-known story of Juneteenth. Don’t get me wrong—Juneteenth is monumental, but there’s so much more to the story of Black freedom.

JUNETEENTH: Explore the history and meaning behind Juneteenth with

Shedding light on forgotten history

It’s vital to shed light on these often-overlooked narratives and celebrate the forgotten figures who’ve contributed to Black liberation.

Freedom wasn’t a one-size-fits-all journey, and learning about the different paths taken, the strategies used, and the resilience shown is incredibly inspiring. From the establishment of Black towns to the roles played in shaping the frontier, there’s a wealth of history that deserves praise and recognition.

Looking ahead

So, while this week’s Cowboy Carter Chronicles might be a bit quieter, I’m looking forward to digging deeper into these stories in the weeks ahead.

Cowboy Carter Chronicles

• From Juneteenth to Sundown Towns, a new chapter in American History
• New UH course uses Beyoncé’s album to explore forgotten black history

Thanks for sticking with me on this journey. Stay warm out there, and I’ll see you next week—hopefully with more to share once the snow melts and class is back in session!