What to know about Beyoncé's Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt and their complicated role in history

USA Today

2 days ago

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter wore a Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt during her Juneteenth performance in Paris, sparking online debate over the group's complicated legacy in U.S. history.
During her international stint, Beyoncé donned a shirt with images of the Buffalo Soldiers — African American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War, primarily on the Western frontier. As part of their service, they built infrastructure, fought in the Indian Wars, and later served in conflicts like the Spanish-American War and World War I and World War II. They also participated in violent U.S. military campaigns against Indigenous peoples during westward expansion and land dispossession.
On the back of her shirt there was a long description of the soldiers that read in part, 'their antagonists were the enemies of peace, order and settlement: warring Indians, bandits, cattle thieves, murderous gunmen, bootleggers, trespassers, and Mexican revolutionaries.' It's unclear where the passage originated.
Some folks quickly criticized Beyoncé's wardrobe choice, specifically making note of the the phrase "enemies of peace" in relation to Indigenous people.
One fan wrote, "Beyoncé wearing a Buffalo Soldiers shirt, an American army unit comprised exclusively of African Americans that helped European and White American colonists fight back Native Americans and seize control of their land, is not the serve she thinks it is." Another questioned, "Girl why I wake up and see Beyoncé calling Native Americans defending their home 'enemies of peace?'"
Meanwhile, one fan offered another perspective on X, "Beyoncé wearing a Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt isn't glorifying genocide. It's a nod to a deeply complex and painful part of Black history — one that involves survival, contradiction and power structures that never had our best interest in mind."
"Yes, these soldiers were involved in U.S. expansion and conflicts with Native nations," the fan wrote. "That's historical fact. But we have to zoom out: These Black men were used as tools in a white supremacist system they didn't control."
These regiments were primarily composed of formerly enslaved Black men. They were deployed to support the U.S. government, which often meant using violence to seize land, resulting in the forced removal and destruction of Indigenous nations across the American West and the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite their role in the military, these soldiers faced intense racism and systemic discrimination within the very army they served.
Riché Richardson, professor and chair in the Africana Studies and Research Center at Cornell University, said it's important to acknowledge both the realities and complexities when it comes to viewing this history.
"American history is very charged, to be sure," she said. "It's about understanding the long-standing contributions that people of African descent have made to the military, and it's not been a perfect union. I think the challenge has always been to help create a more perfect union, and people of African descent have, in some cases, been complicit with policies that are detrimental to other populations. So I think it's important for there to be an acknowledgment of that."
Richardson viewed the Buffalo Soldiers shirt in the context of Beyoncé's background.
"I find her as a product of what I analyze as the Africana Southwest, as a Texas native," Richardson said. "So, given the themes associated with this most recent album and the concert tour, I presume that she's embracing the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers in tandem with that."
The Buffalo Soldiers' complicated legacy doesn't solely consist of their contributions to the United States' westward expansion. According to the U.S. Department of Interior, the soldiers also served as some of the country's first park rangers.
"These dedicated men protected wildlife from poachers, built trails and forged a proud legacy in our nation's history," the department wrote on social media.
Richardson said the criticism of Beyoncé's shirt was valid and important, but she advised folks not to immediately jump to conclusions about the singer's messaging.
"My inclination is not to think the worst of Beyoncé precisely because of her investments and critical thinking and her efforts to bring public attention to so many issues," she said.
Richardson emphasized the importance of viewing Beyoncé's actions within the broader context of her career and activism.
"I think she's gone out of her way in so many instances to try to impact lives and make a difference," Richardson said. "She's consistently compassionate. I think people should not draw conclusions, especially without adequate information. She's a performer. There's performance art. There are all kinds of things. At the very least, it's a teaching moment from which everyone can learn."
She said it's important to remember that a single image doesn't always reflect a full endorsement or clear message.
"I think it's always important for us to have awareness of the messages that we send, but I wouldn't necessarily just assume that wearing a shirt is an indicator of an endorsement of any particular ideas," Richardson said. "Because that certainly isn't in keeping with what we see and know of Beyoncé."
Beyoncé is in the middle of her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour, which is in support of her album "Cowboy Carter." The project, which features emerging Black country artists and country legends alike, became a catalyst for the renewed spotlight on Black country artists and the genre's Black roots. The album has challenged music industry norms and sparked important conversations pertaining to the intersection of race and country music.
The tour spans nine cities across the U.S. and Europe. The grand finale is set to take place in Las Vegas on July 26.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.