Urban Cowboy

What country girl does not love the smell of livestock? City girls, not so much. I am the perfect mix of the two. Everyone has an opinion of how the other lives. I am always reading and hearing barbs about city people from country dwellers, country music, and social media memes. On the other side I am questioned about my affinity for all things rodeo and ranch from urban dwellers. How did I get this way? The bigger question is how did my child turn out that way?

I believe that the most important thing you can give your children are memories and experiences. That has been my primary focus after love, food,shelter, and a good education. Teaching children how to navigate in our diverse world is how we can help ensure that they will have a world worth living.

There are lots of single minded people who can only criticize how others live. That is largely because they have no understanding of the life experiences of others. It goes beyond conservatives and liberals, city and country dwellers, and racial differences.

I am a firm believer that making memories is one the best gifts you can give your children. My son has a passport with international stamps. He goes to the beach, dude ranches, festivals, Broadway plays and carnivals, He loves gaming and horses. Children can have diverse interest if they are given options. I wanted this for my son. When he showed an interest in horses and doing ranch work I made sure he attended horse camps and took western riding lessons. The next thing was to join 4H. He has fallen in love with raising sheep. How many other city kids can say that?

I am reading so many stories lately of Black people farming on 4th generation land. Young black equestrians taking the arena by storm. And of course there is the all- black championship polo team that originates out of a park in the heart of Philadelphia.

The country music performers of color are finally starting to get air play in big market radio. It is a pleasure to listen to listen to a song only to find out that it is a person of color.

The roots of country music and rodeo transcend the color barriers. Black rodeo stars existed before Bill Pickett made his name. And even after Pickett so many rodeo competitors had to perform after the rodeo. I am seeing some color breakthrough in organizations.like the PBR and PRCA. What I would like to see is the PRCA start scouting small rodeos and giving the young people of color a chance to compete in larger money events. Or even to help them get better horses and practice livestock. Diversity drives better competition. Diversity increases your fan base. Diversity grows your business.

City folks open your mind and try new things. Country folks dont look down at others that live differently. You may fall in love with horses, farming, rodeo, and country music or even the fast pace of city living. We are all apart of the many cultures of America.

Just remember “Yes, We rodeo big in the North”