Entertainment
EXCLUSIVE: New short film details the role of black excellence in rodeo
Texas boasts the nation’s largest rodeo, the famed Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a stage where the nation’s top athletes, including expert bull riders and calf drivers, showcase their talents. However, in the historical context of rodeo in Texas, the significant contributions of black cowboys and herders have often been overshadowed, although they played a key role in shaping the sport into the cultural phenomenon it’s today.
The story begins in Crockett, Texas, a spot where the roots of black cowboy culture run deep, intertwining with the very fabric of rodeo history. It was here Myrtis Dightman Sr., dubbed the “Jackie Robinson of Rodeo”, becoming the first black cowboy to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo.
Although RodeoHouston’s origins date back to 1932, trail riding remained largely segregated until people like Dightman and his compatriots forged their very own path. Houston-based director Isaac Yowman explored authentic narratives surrounding black cowboys, shedding light on previously obscure truths. “The trail rides actually started with the Houston Live Show and Rodeo, and they met at Memorial Park every year,” he explains. “It’s principally an enormous block party where people come from throughout the state of Texas. However, the Prairie View Trail Ride covers 140km on horses, buggies and wagons, and I do not think many individuals know this about rodeo culture.
Reflecting on Dightman’s journey, Yowman recalls a poignant exchange. “When Myrtis Dightman Sr. rode his first bull in 1966, I asked him if he thought he was making history. Responsibly. If I want to do something, I’ll just do it.” Dightman’s determination challenged the skepticism of his peers, echoing the sentiment captured in his easy yet profound response: “Have you tried it?”
Yowman says, “I assumed it was so easy. Such a straightforward statement, yet so prolific. When I take into consideration anything in life, there can be individuals who might imagine your ambitions are unrealistic. There could also be people around you who haven’t got the foresight to realize your goals, and that is uncharted territory, but in the event that they query the feasibility, it’s essential to ask them:?
Decades later, Dightman’s legacy is flourishing, not confined to the history books but embodied by his descendants. Adia Dightman and her family proceed to hold the torch, keeping the flame of cultural trailblazing burning brightly. Their story is the centerpiece of Yowman’s short film, created in collaboration with Adidas and Jennifer Ford of Premium Goods.
Yowman and his team traveled to Crockett, Texas, where Dightman’s estate stretches over 150 acres. In an clan, everyone from the smallest children to the elderly participates in trail rides as part of their historical heritage. “For the director, this project was really intriguing because as a child, when I was growing up, I didn’t have the opportunity to spend time with my grandparents, either on my mother’s or father’s side. It was truly amazing for me to see five generations of a family at once. The youngest Dightman was one year old, the oldest was Myrtis Dightman Sr., who was 88 or 89,” Yowman reflects.
As the Dightmans’ legacy continues, so does their impact on rodeo culture. Myrtis Dightman Jr., often called “The Trail Boss,” leads the PV Trail Riders Association, a testament to the family’s enduring commitment to heritage. “There is a lot of legacy in their history,” Yowman explains. “They call him [Junior] “Trail Boss” and just seeing him carry on his dad’s legacy is incredibly admirable. Founded by Dightman Sr., Dr. Alfred N. Pointdexter and James Francis, PV Trail Riders has proudly participated in the annual Houston Rodeo trail rides for 70 years.
Another remarkable aspect of the Dightman family’s legacy is its pioneering efforts to not only integrate trail riding but in addition embrace women – a groundbreaking move in the early Nineteen Sixties when such practices were virtually unheard of. “At that time, there was no thought of women empowerment. For them, it was bold to include women in their rides. I actually met a woman, Miss Fuller; who appears in the film, has been riding with Dightman for decades. It was really great to see how willing they were to engage with the rodeo culture,” Yowman says.
As popular culture increasingly embraces country music in mainstream circles, there’s an ideal opportunity to attract attention to the role of women in each the rodeo and country music spheres. This cultural shift is reflected in Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s recent announcement of her upcoming country album, aptly titled .
“As a Texan, you grow up in this place. You better believe Beyoncé got a drip from people who embraced cow culture before her, like the women of Prairie View Trail Rides,” Yowman jokes. “She said it in the ‘Formation’ song ‘Mama Louisiana.’ This Louisiana, this Texas, this Cajun, this country, this zydeco – we grow up on it as Texans. Whether you are super immersed in the culture or not, you are already doing it – rodeo is an enormous deal. I feel black women coming into the country, rodeo culture could be very essential for people to see.”
In creating this short film, creatively, Yowman wanted viewers to grasp how Black people, and particularly Black women, come forward. As a culture, we should not a monolith, he emphasizes. Like Beyoncé’s long-awaited album, it’s a poignant return to a culture that has all the time been inherently ours, despite historical oversight and lack of recognition.
The film is a strong affirmation of Black agency and cultural ownership. It is a reminder that despite historical challenges and systemic barriers, black rodeo culture thrives and endures. It is a declaration that black culture belongs to us and deserves to be celebrated, recognized and revered.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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