Beyoncé’s t-shirt during her June “Cowboy Carter” tour performance has ignited a discussion on how American history is represented, provoking criticism directed at the popular performer from various quarters.
The t-shirt, showcased at a concert in Paris, depicted Buffalo soldiers—members of Black Army units from the late 1800s to early 1900s. Alongside the imagery, there were lengthy descriptions of the soldiers, stating, among other things, that they fought against “enemies of peace, order and reconciliation,” and naming groups like “Indians of battle, bandits, bull thieves, murderers, bootleggers, intruders, and Mexican revolutionaries.”
Videos of her performance and t-shirt images are also accessible on Beyoncé’s official website.
As she gears up for a homecoming concert in the US, fans and Indigenous activists have taken to social media to voice their objections, criticizing the portrayal of Native Americans and Mexican revolutionaries as victims of American imperialism while sporting merchandise that seems to promote anti-Indigenous sentiments.
A spokesperson for Beyoncé did not respond to inquiries seeking clarification.
Who were the Buffalo soldiers?
The Buffalo soldiers were formed in six military units established post-Civil War in 1866. They included formerly enslaved individuals, freedmen, and Black Civil War veterans, battling in various conflicts including the Spanish-American War and World War II until their disbandment in 1951.
The shirt’s wording highlights their involvement in numerous confrontations with Indigenous peoples as part of the broader narrative of American expansionism.
Some historians believe the term “Buffalo Soldiers” was given by Native tribes acknowledging their bravery, although this may not be entirely factual. “Ultimately, we lack solid information on that front,” noted Kale Carter, who heads the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston.
In recent years, Carter and the museum’s team have tried to present a more nuanced view of the complex battles Buffalo soldiers engaged in against Native Americans and Mexican revolutionaries, aiming to promote a deeper understanding of American history and respect for Indigenous peoples, much like other institutions throughout the nation.
“We tend to romanticize the western frontier,” he remarked. “The early narratives concerning Buffalo soldiers were shaped by various influences, so up until now, very little has changed in that regard.”
Michel Toval, the museum’s education director, commented on the scarcity of diverse perspectives when discussing the history of the Buffalo soldiers.
He noted that current political climates pressure educational systems, especially in states like Texas, to shy away from frank discussions about American history.
“Lately, we’re facing increasing resistance from school districts unable to teach this history,” Toval expressed. “Our museum can serve as a community hub, encouraging everyone to delve into this topic and promote an understanding of honest history.”
Historians examine land motivations
Beyoncé’s recent album, Act II: Cowboy Carter, invokes a rich tapestry of American symbolism. She is recognized for bridging the gap between country music and Black cultural aesthetics.
Last year, she made history as the first Black woman to reach the top of the Billboard country charts, and “Cowboy Carter” was honored with a Top Award at the 2025 Grammy Awards for Album of the Year.
“Buffalo soldiers played a pivotal role in the narrative of Black people in the American West,” stated Tad Stormer, a historian and professor at Johns Hopkins University. “In my opinion, Beyoncé is conscious of the implications of these images. This tour, the entire project, is part of a multilayered story.”
However, Stormer also highlighted the encumbrances surrounding the stories of Buffalo soldiers.
As evidenced by Beyoncé’s choice of imagery, Black Americans utilize these narratives to affirm their contributions to the country’s founding, noted Alaina E. Roberts, a historian from the University of Pittsburgh who studies intersections of Black and Native American histories since the Civil War.
“She likely sees herself in this context, yet the Buffalo soldiers’ legacy complicates that, considering their role in violent conflicts,” she commented.
Online backlash ahead of Houston show
This week, numerous Indigenous influencers and scholars criticized Beyoncé on social media, labeling the language on her shirt as anti-Indigenous. One post from Indigenous.TV, a cultural account with over 130,000 followers, posed the query: “Will Beyoncé apologize for or endorse the shirt?”
Critics and fans alike expressed their disapproval, as a wave of social media commentary condemned the historical context associated with the shirt.
“Buffalo soldiers represent a significant historical moment, but we must acknowledge their actions, particularly against Indigenous Americans and Mexicans,” commented Chisom Okorafor, a TikTok user under @ConfirmedSomaya.
Okorafor argued that there’s no “progressive” narrative when recounting the historical legacies of American empires, asserting that Beyoncé’s use of Western symbolism communicates a troubling message. “It implies that Black individuals can also partake in the injustices of the American Empire,” she said. “It’s a narrative suggesting that you sidestep immigrants, Indigenous people, and those marginal to the United States. It posits that virtue isn’t a birthright but that deeper roots grant you higher status.”
