Reclaiming A Legacy

The Derby parties are in full swing here in Da Ville along with all the other events around town that comprise the Kentucky Derby Festival. Celebrity sightings are on the rise around town and even Queen Elizabeth II will be here in the Bluegrass State to watch one of her horses run. It's capped off by "Ladies Day at the Races", the Kentucky Oaks on May 4 and the "Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" on May 5.

But once upon a time the Kentucky Derby was a Black thang. African-Americans once dominated the horse racing game so thoroughly between the Civil War and the turn of the 20th century that when the first Kentucky Derby was run in 1875 thirteen of the fifteen jockeys at the starting line were African-American. The dominance of the sport also extended to and included African-American horse owners, trainers, exercise riders and stable hands.

The first Derby winner, Aristides, was not only ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis but was trained by African-American Ansel Williamson. Jockeys Alonzo Clayton and James Perkins were both 15 years old when they won the Derby. The dominance was so thorough that 15 of the next 28 runnings of the Derby were won by African-American jockeys, 5 of those winners were trained by African-American trainers and one of those was owned and trained by Dudley Allen. The last African-American jockey to ride in the Derby finished 10th aboard an 80-1 longshot in 1921.


Jockeys were the elite African-American athletes of the 19th century. The best was Isaac Murphy. He was the first jockey to win three Kentucky Derbys (1884, 1890, 1891) and did it in record setting style. Murphy also holds the distinctions of not only being the first jockey to win consecutive Derbys, but riding the only African-American owned horse to date that has won the Derby, Dudley Allen's Kingman in 1891.

Before his career was cut short by his untimely death from pneumonia at 34, Murphy won 628 of his 1,412 starts, an astonishing 44% of all the races he rode in. He was the first inductee into the Jockey Hall of Fame when it was established in 1955. His record hasn't come close to being matched by modern day greats as of yet. Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Arcaro said of Murphy's record: "There is no chance that his record of winning will ever be surpassed. Willie Simms is the other African-American jockey that has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is the only African-American jockey to win all the races comprising the Triple Crown (The Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes)

Jimmy Wakefield was the last African-American jockey to win the Derby in 1901-1902 and due to lack of opportunity in the United States ended up moving to Europe in 1903 to continue his lucrative career. Wakefield became fluent in several languages, rode for Czar Nicholas II of Russia and had over 2300 wins to his credit before he retired from the sport at age 48 and purchased a horse farm outside Paris. When France was overrun by the Germans in 1940 he and his family escaped to the United States in 1943. When World War II ended he spent a few years in the States before returning to his beloved Maisons-Lafitte farm where he died in 1974.

So what factors combined to change the horse racing era of African-American excellence? The major ones was White resentment of the Black dominance in a sport that was considered in the late 19th century the national pastime and the fact that the jockeys were making salaries three times what most whites were earning in that time period. Klan intimidation, collusion to deny Black jockeys and trainers work and access to US tracks were factors as well. In addition the mass migration of African-Americans from the farms of the South to northern cities combined to ethnically cleanse horse racing of its African-American presence by the turn of the early 20th century.

It would be 79 years before another African-American jockey was present to ride at the Derby. Lafayette, LA native Marlon St. Julien, a successful jockey in the Texas and Chicago racing circuits was tapped to ride Curule in the 2000 Derby. "I think we're here to accomplish something, not just to be here," St. Julien said in a CNNSI interview. "I was put here to be a race rider and I'm going to be the best that I can be." Curule finished seventh in that Derby. St. Julien also made history by becoming the first African-American jockey to ride in the Kentucky Oaks in 103 years when he guided Zoftig to a fifth place finish.

St. Julien is part of a return of African-Americans to their horse racing heritage. MC Hammer's Oaktown Stable owns the filly Lite Light which won the 1991 Kentucky Oaks. Motown's Berry Gordy has been moderately successful with his horses. St. Julien's goal is to ride Breeder's Cup and Triple Crown winners and has eagerly embraced the legacy of the pioneer jockeys. Trainer James Jackson has 2000 career wins to his credit and in 2005 became the first African-American trainer to saddle a Kentucky Oaks starter when Gallant Secret galloped to a third place finish inthe Run For the Lillies.

Our departed horse racing pioneers would be happy to see us back in the Sport of Kings to win, place and show once again. It's time to start building on their legacy of excellence and reclaim it in this century.

Genetic Women and Transwomen: Can We Be Friends? Part 4

TransGriot Note: It's no longer a secret. Many biowomen and transwomen do form and are willing to do the work to not only have each other as friends, but willingly exert the effort to sustain them. As Jackie mentioned in Part 2, there's a lot we still need to discuss on both sides to keep the positive momentum going. We all benefit when we do our utmost to promote healthy friendships with one another.

photos-Paiige, Miriam Rivera

Joann
TS sometimes forget that Genetic Women interact with each other (as friends) a lot differently than how Genetic Men interact with each other.. In general (full grown) Genetic Women do not like being around a bunch of other women especially ones they do not know nor are they keen about making a whole lot of new female friends.

It takes most women a long while before they can get comfortable enough with another woman to even want to spend a whole lot time hangin out with her or even to see her as a friend.

Whereas Men can become best of buds while waiting in line at the carry out. It don't matter, they don't care. The more Buds the better. And if you put 10 men in a room...(that is any room other that a jail cell)...LOL

Most of the time they will start playing get some kind of dumb A** game until a fight starts or somebody gets hurt, which ever one comes first. After that everybody will grumble 'bout it for a while, then call it a day..end of story.

Now..Put 10 women in a room under those same conditions and you will get a fight right of the bat. Then they will separate into groups and start with the verbal assaults ...there will be some rolling of the eyes.....and a few "naw she didn't"...then Somebody’s weave will get called a dead muskrat.. and somebody's baby pictures will get call a baboon like ...the food will run out and the party will break up and all will go home .....Upon disbanding various pairs will link back up... via the phone and renew the nights verbal assaults..this will last for bout 8 hours mininum...non stop ...and it will go on every day for like..ever!!!!

...Sorry I digress......LOL

Angelica Ross
Here’s my 2 cents Monica, hope you can use it!

I think if some of us were honest, I believe on both the side of genetic women and the side of transsexual women there is an element of intimidation. Women who are around beautiful transsexuals compare themselves by thinking "I'm a real woman, and I don't look like that." or "I'm a real woman, you're just pretending to be one."
And as transsexuals we sometimes are intimidated believing that they are indeed "real" women and we are not. So sometimes we over compensate for the things we believe we lack in being a "real" woman. When we both transsexuals and genetic women find a comfort zone within our own womanhood, that cannot be defined or destroyed by anyone else, then we can begin to build a true sisterhood between all women.

Traci
What we possess in common is gender. Therefore, it's fine to discuss topics that share certain points of interests in common between us.

Topics related to childbirth, menstruation cycles, cramps, nursing infants, and the like, can be like chasms of the Grand Canyon if the GG discusses them in a condescending manner.

Regardless, as to how close my relationship may be with a GG. I am always some how reminded of the "genuineness" possessed by the girl. They will usually say or do something that reminds me of how distant I should consider myself from being real. While this reminder is usually served by one who wears velvet gloves carrying the message on a silver platter, the message is still sorely received. It cuts like a knife!

Well, so much for the barriers. On a more positive note, we should both bring to the table a willingness to understand each other and an honest desire to unite against male chauvinism. They should comprehend the fact that we can be very formidable allies when it comes to deciphering the male ego. They should also know how deeply we desire to bond with them as the true sisters that we all need to be.

We should all come to the table with the proper attitude and willingness to understand one another. All discussion should take place with a spirit of respect and compassion.

Lexi
Just a few thoughts that I had.

I have to say that I think the issue in relationships between transwomen and natal women is multi-dimensional. I think Angelica said it best when she wrote about the insecurities that both sets of women feel around the other. So, in my opinion, that is the first and probably biggest factor.

Another factor would be that women in general tend to be catty and jealous. I think as transwomen, we haven't dealt with this as long as natal women. When I see someone with nice hair or clothes, I compliment them. I have noticed that women at work never compliment me on anything I wear or my hair--only the guys. People at my office don't know and I imagine the cattiness and snide remarks are how they treat everyone--even their friends. Women generally don't like each other. Why should we be treated any differently?

Something else to consider is the negative image in the media that continues to dominate coverage about us. We have to take control of our image in the media in order to repair some of the damage that has been done.

Now I am going to put this out here...Some women probably loathe us because of a man in their lives that has "been" with a transwoman on the sly. The fear of the DL has a lot of Black women scared as hell. And, to them, we embody that at its very essence. Think of it through their eyes. Plus, there are those of us who will sneak around and sleep with guys that are married and/or involved. I've done it in the past--that's why I am saying it. Honestly, we need to respect ourselves enough to demand more out of a relationship than two o'clock in the morning dalliances in a poorly decorated motel room.

Genetic Women and Transwomen: Can We Be Friends? Part 3

TransGriot Note: I ended up running out of space in Part 2. Question 4's responses in their entirety are posted here.

4. TransGriot: What are the advantages/disadvantages to both parties in cultivating friendships with the other?

Audrea
I say that the more diversity one is exposed to, the better. I don't see any disadvantages developing when involved in an open, adult friendship. I appreciate my transwomen and men friends just as much as my genetic friends. When choosing friends what gender one is should make no difference. I'm happy to say, for me it's a non-issue.

Jazz
The advantage is in being more tolerant of people as a whole and their feelings. The disadvantages are missing out on knowing truly beautiful human beings. Being closed minded doesn't help anybody and hurts the whole human race.

Joann
Advantages... from a GG’s point of view...Trans women can be loyal to a fault once you have gotten gained trust.and will rarely let you down. Many have military or paramilitary backgrounds so they understand the value of a friend, what it means to be a friend and how important it is to be a supportive friend. It does not hurt to have a girl friend who is 6 foot tall and has been trained in hand to hand combat either..

Advantages....From a Trans woman point of view . .By having a GG as a friend means that you will probably share a lot of shared interest.. Therefore y’all will be able to connect on levels that you may have missed out on as a man.. She will be able to help you separate out a lot of myths about being a woman. Sometimes we be having things so messed up bout being a woman..... a GG friend will be able to tell you when it’s time to step away from the blue eye shadow.

Disadvantages .......from the Transwoman’s side....GGs talk a lot about nothing ...sometimes I think they just talk to hear they head rattle... this will drive you nuts but you have to listen because you are their friend and talking is so very important....it’s a bonding thing I guess. GGs go psycho once a month ...so you got to learn how figure out when they are on their period. .sometimes their head will rotate 360 degrees during this time of the month but not always so ya need to be paying attention ...If ya GG friend miss a period y’all done got too close. she knocked up and being a Transwoman not gonna get you out of child support....another down side.

Disadvantages .......from the GGs side...Her best girlfriend is 6 foot tall and has been trained in hand to hand combat....and has been taking hormones !!!.. There she will always have the last say over the remote control... In most cases you will not be able to borrow her clothes...but she will be able to stretch yours into some unrecognizable form. The GG will be mistaken for a TG on a regular basis. so she will have ready to deal with all the crap that comes along with that association.... For example, some men may not want to talk to her cause they may not be sure bout her true gender...

Tia
While I don’t see any obvious disadvantages, the advantages I see are learning how to interact with other women as a woman, gaining advice on how they feel and how they feel the world relates to them, learning that some women are born with a penis and have their own unique set of struggles and that we can learn a lot about ourselves by learning about others.

Jackie
Transwomen can have a lot to offer. Having been in the place of perhaps trying to fit in as boys/men and having the perspective of what is expected of men, transwomen can have a unique and interesting view to bring to a friendship. We are the stronger for having friends with differences.

Biowomen interacting and being friends with transwomen would promote understanding and progress in general and in areas such as the workplace and schools. I'd imagine a teacher who has a Transgender friend being more able to recognize, nurture and protect Transgender children. I just think we should have each others support.


The series continues with Part 4