San Francisco Riding High For Juneteenth
Black Cowboys Spread Word About Their Place In History
Friday, June 18, 2004
Jason B. Johnson, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco, California
As members of the Buffalo Cowboy Association for more than 20 years, Gregory McDowell, 39, and his uncle, Richard Bougere, 71, take special pride in passing on a part of black history that few people know about, the role of African Americans in settling the West.
McDowell, who was only 9 when he began riding, grew up hearing stories about horses and black cowboys from his uncle. Nearly 25 percent of the more than 30,000 cowboys who worked the cattle frontier were black, according to the Encyclopedia of the American West. Yet their stories have largely been left out of traditional cowboy folklore.
Now, Bougere and his nephew hope to share this well-kept secret when they participate in San Francisco's 54th annual Juneteenth parade on Saturday. "The way things are going now, we seem about to lose a whole generation of black men," said Bougere. "We're trying to do what we can, and that's teach them about horses and ranching."
For the next three days, hundreds of African Americans are expected to fill the streets of San Francisco's Western Addition for events commemorating Juneteenth, the day when the last of America's slaves gained their freedom. Similar observances will also be held throughout the Bay Area.
Bougere, who moved to San Francisco from New Orleans in 1948, plans to ride in the parade alongside his daughter and 12-year-old granddaughter. Juneteenth has long been a major cultural event in San Francisco but went into a lull for a few years as street celebrations gave way to ones held at various churches. The public event was revived in the mid-1970s and is now one of the largest observances of its kind in the nation, said Juneteenth outreach coordinator Wade Woods.
National Juneteenth Freedom Day was signed into law by former Gov. Gray Davis on July 12, 2002, proclaiming it the third Saturday of June each year. Since then, many cities have held their own celebrations. The term Juneteenth comes from the date -- June 19, 1865 -- that the last group of slaves in Texas were told of their freedom by a regiment of Union soldiers. They had no knowledge of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation 2 1/2 years earlier. The historic incident has been of special resonance for African Americans ever since.
Woods said the scope of the city's celebration was largely the product of one man -- the late Wesley Johnson, a Texas native who moved to California as a young man.
Johnson was able to get black organizations to participate in the celebration and attracted more sponsors. By doing so, the event grew from small events at churches to a larger, public event.
Much of the city's black population moved from the Southwest to work at the San Francisco naval base, shipyards and other industries during and after World War II. Early celebrations held in the Fillmore district highlighted the neighborhood's vibrant black community.
From the 1940s through the 1960s, the area's streets were lined with black-owned businesses. Clubs such as Jackson's Nook, the Plantation Club, Wally's Soulville and Jimbo's Bop City played host to stars such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Count Basie and Lenny Bruce, said Woods. Some of the celebrities who hung out at Jimbo's included boxer Joe Louis, Marilyn Monroe and Sammy Davis Jr., he said.
But in the mid-1960s, the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency tore down many of those spots as part of a citywide improvement program, said Woods. "So for two days it all comes back," Woods said of the celebration. Organizations such as 100 Black Men, African American Health Initiative and the San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators plan to participate in the event.
The celebration will also offer free health screenings for diabetes, prostate cancer, dental problems and sexually transmitted diseases. "Last year, we caught about 12 people who didn't know they had a sexually transmitted disease," said Woods.
Bougere said he'd taken part in 25 Juneteenth parades, and he hopes the tradition of having black cowboys ride in the event continues. "You'd be surprised in this urban area how many kids have never seen a horse," said McDowell. Bougere said he and other friends who loved to ride got together in the 1960s.
Up until 1986, he used to lease a 14-acre ranch with more than a dozen horses behind the Cow Palace. Buffalo Cowboy Association members take part in small rodeo events called Jim Canters. The group has members in cities ranging from Stockton and Vacaville to Richmond and Oakland. There are only six members living in San Francisco.
For years, group members have brought local kids out to area stables in Half Moon Bay to teach them about the animals and their history. It's a much- needed change of pace from their usual inner-city environment, said McDowell. Juneteenth and the efforts of the cowboys are all part of an effort to pass down traditions and life lessons to future generations. For many such as Bougere and McDowell, the event has gone beyond its original meaning. "It's more than just Juneteenth -- it's about black history," said Bougere. "It's a great feeling. It makes you feel good to be part of it."
Black Cowboys Spread Word About Their Place In History
Friday, June 18, 2004
Jason B. Johnson, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco, California
 |
| Gregory McDowell, like his uncle a member of the Buffalo Cowboy Association, will ride his horse Blackie in the Juneteenth Parade. Photo Credit: Liz Mangelsdorf |
McDowell, who was only 9 when he began riding, grew up hearing stories about horses and black cowboys from his uncle. Nearly 25 percent of the more than 30,000 cowboys who worked the cattle frontier were black, according to the Encyclopedia of the American West. Yet their stories have largely been left out of traditional cowboy folklore.
Now, Bougere and his nephew hope to share this well-kept secret when they participate in San Francisco's 54th annual Juneteenth parade on Saturday. "The way things are going now, we seem about to lose a whole generation of black men," said Bougere. "We're trying to do what we can, and that's teach them about horses and ranching."
For the next three days, hundreds of African Americans are expected to fill the streets of San Francisco's Western Addition for events commemorating Juneteenth, the day when the last of America's slaves gained their freedom. Similar observances will also be held throughout the Bay Area.
Bougere, who moved to San Francisco from New Orleans in 1948, plans to ride in the parade alongside his daughter and 12-year-old granddaughter. Juneteenth has long been a major cultural event in San Francisco but went into a lull for a few years as street celebrations gave way to ones held at various churches. The public event was revived in the mid-1970s and is now one of the largest observances of its kind in the nation, said Juneteenth outreach coordinator Wade Woods.
 |
| 2004 San Francisco Juneteenth Parade Route |
Woods said the scope of the city's celebration was largely the product of one man -- the late Wesley Johnson, a Texas native who moved to California as a young man.
Johnson was able to get black organizations to participate in the celebration and attracted more sponsors. By doing so, the event grew from small events at churches to a larger, public event.
Much of the city's black population moved from the Southwest to work at the San Francisco naval base, shipyards and other industries during and after World War II. Early celebrations held in the Fillmore district highlighted the neighborhood's vibrant black community.
 |
| Wesley Johnson, an early promoter of Juneteenth events in San Francisco, with Billie Holliday in an undated photo. Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Juneteenth Committee |
But in the mid-1960s, the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency tore down many of those spots as part of a citywide improvement program, said Woods. "So for two days it all comes back," Woods said of the celebration. Organizations such as 100 Black Men, African American Health Initiative and the San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators plan to participate in the event.
The celebration will also offer free health screenings for diabetes, prostate cancer, dental problems and sexually transmitted diseases. "Last year, we caught about 12 people who didn't know they had a sexually transmitted disease," said Woods.
Bougere said he'd taken part in 25 Juneteenth parades, and he hopes the tradition of having black cowboys ride in the event continues. "You'd be surprised in this urban area how many kids have never seen a horse," said McDowell. Bougere said he and other friends who loved to ride got together in the 1960s.
 |
| Gregory McDowell, right, watches his uncle Richard Bougere lead a horse at Friendly Acres stables in Half Moon Bay. Photo Credit: Liz Mangelsdorf |
For years, group members have brought local kids out to area stables in Half Moon Bay to teach them about the animals and their history. It's a much- needed change of pace from their usual inner-city environment, said McDowell. Juneteenth and the efforts of the cowboys are all part of an effort to pass down traditions and life lessons to future generations. For many such as Bougere and McDowell, the event has gone beyond its original meaning. "It's more than just Juneteenth -- it's about black history," said Bougere. "It's a great feeling. It makes you feel good to be part of it."
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