Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Orginal Publication Date
1991
Journal Title
Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Volume
11
Issue
ess/vol11/iss1
First Page
17
Last Page
18
Abstract
Except for books such as The Negro Cowboys, the African American West remains an enigma to most Americans. Popular media continue to perpetuate the stereotype of a white West, in spite of the fact that some of the earliest explorers accompanying the European invasion were of African descent. Beginning in 1501 with the Spanish conquest of Mexico, Africans were there. They were with Balboa when he "discovered" the Pacific, with Cortes in Mexico, with Cabeza de Vaca, Coronado, and others. Estevanico (Little Stephen) first explored New Mexico and Arizona.
Rights
Copyright, ©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1991