Digest

This episode of "It's Been a Minute" delves into the current fascination with the cowboy symbol in American culture. Host Brittany Loose discusses the cowboy's historical roots, tracing its emergence in the mid-19th century as a symbol of rugged masculinity, westward expansion, and American individualism. She highlights the cowboy's diverse history, noting that a significant portion of cowboys were Black or Mexican, and that the term "cowboy" itself is rooted in the history of slavery. Loose then explores the cowboy's evolving symbolism, noting its enduring appeal as a sex symbol and its potential for reinterpretation in contemporary culture. She discusses the cowboy's association with freedom, independence, and a romanticized vision of the American West. Loose also examines the cowboy's potential for reclamation, particularly by marginalized groups who have been historically excluded from the dominant narrative of the cowboy. The episode features interviews with Jay Wortham, a culture critic for The New York Times Magazine, and Nora Burnett Abrams, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver, who offer insights into the cowboy's complex history and its enduring cultural significance.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the topic of the episode, which is the recent resurgence of the cowboy symbol in American culture. The host, Brittany Loose, sets the stage by mentioning the cowboy's popularity in recent years, citing examples like Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road," the television show "Yellowstone," and Barbie's pink cowboy outfit. She also mentions Beyonce's embrace of the cowboy aesthetic and the rise of country music in the US. Loose then poses the question of what the cowboy symbol means to us today and what it reflects about our psyche.

00:23:31

The Cowboy's Complicated History

This Chapter delves into the historical roots of the cowboy symbol. Loose discusses the cowboy's emergence in the mid-19th century, particularly in the wake of the Civil War and the anxieties of industrialization. She highlights the cowboy's association with rugged masculinity, westward expansion, and American individualism. Loose also emphasizes the cowboy's diverse history, noting that a significant portion of cowboys were Black or Mexican, and that the term "cowboy" itself is rooted in the history of slavery. She contrasts the romanticized image of the cowboy, often portrayed as a white, single, male figure, with the reality of the cowboy's diverse experiences.

00:17:50

Kamala Harris Memes

This Chapter features a game called "What Did You Know?" where the host, Brittany Loose, shares stories that have been making headlines and asks trivia questions related to them. The first round focuses on memes featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. Loose presents three memes and asks the guests, Luke Winky and Magdalene Taylor, to identify the context behind each meme. The first meme references a metaphorical coconut tree that Kamala Harris's mother spoke of when Kamala was a kid. The second meme highlights Kamala Harris's love for Venn diagrams. The third meme features Kamala Harris giving advice on how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the historical factors that contributed to the emergence of the cowboy symbol in the mid-19th century?

  The cowboy symbol emerged in the mid-19th century, particularly in the wake of the Civil War and the anxieties of industrialization. It represented rugged masculinity, westward expansion, and American individualism. The cowboy's image was often associated with the romanticized vision of the American West, a frontier of opportunity and adventure.

• How has the cowboy's symbolism evolved over time, and what are some of the contemporary interpretations of the cowboy symbol?

  The cowboy's symbolism has evolved over time, and its enduring appeal as a sex symbol and its potential for reinterpretation in contemporary culture are being explored. The cowboy's association with freedom, independence, and a romanticized vision of the American West continues to resonate with many people. However, the cowboy's image is also being challenged and reinterpreted by marginalized groups who have been historically excluded from the dominant narrative of the cowboy. The cowboy's potential for reclamation, particularly by Black and Indigenous communities, is a significant aspect of the contemporary conversation about the cowboy symbol.

• What is the "Zinternet," and how does it relate to the current fascination with the cowboy symbol?

  The "Zinternet" is a term coined by writer Max Reed to describe a specific online subculture that is dominated by frat-adjacent content, including college sports, light beer, and raunchy humor. This subculture is often characterized by its embrace of traditional masculinity and its avoidance of explicit political commentary. The "Zinternet" is a prime example of how online culture can be segmented and how different groups can develop their own unique online identities and communities. The "Zinternet"'s embrace of the cowboy symbol reflects its appeal to a specific demographic that is drawn to traditional masculinity and a romanticized vision of the American West.

• What are some of the ways in which the cowboy symbol is being reclaimed by marginalized groups?

  The cowboy symbol is being reclaimed by marginalized groups, particularly Black and Indigenous communities, who have been historically excluded from the dominant narrative of the cowboy. These groups are challenging the traditional image of the cowboy as a white, male figure and highlighting the diverse experiences of cowboys throughout history. The cowboy's potential for reclamation is a significant aspect of the contemporary conversation about the cowboy symbol.

• What does the cowboy symbol say about American desire?

  The cowboy symbol speaks to a deep-seated American desire for freedom, independence, and a romanticized vision of the American West. The cowboy's rugged masculinity, his connection to nature, and his ability to navigate the challenges of the frontier appeal to many Americans. The cowboy's enduring appeal as a sex symbol also reflects a desire for spontaneity, adventure, and a sense of liberation from societal constraints.

Show Notes