Black Buck

For the mammal, see Blackbuck. For the RAF operation, see Operation Black Buck.

In post-Reconstruction United States, Black Buck was a racial slur used to describe a certain type of African American men. In particular, the caricature was used to describe black men who absolutely refused to bend to the law of white authority and were irredeemably violent, rude, and lecherous.

According to popular stereotypes during the post-Reconstruction era, "Black Buck" was a black man (usually muscular or tall) who defies white will and is largely destructive to American society. He is usually hot-tempered, excessively violent, unintelligent, and eager to sexually assault young women, especially white virgins. Most often, any attempt to restrain, reprimand, or re-educate the individual will fail, necessitating the individual's immediate execution (usually by lynching).

Read more about Black Buck:  Examples of "Black Buck" in Media

Famous quotes containing the words black and/or buck:

    ... burned to tireless death
    A child of a few hours
    With its kneading mouth
    Charred on the black breast of the grave
    The mother dug, and its arms full of fires ...
    Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)

    ... every event has had its cause, and nothing, not the least wind that blows, is accident or causeless. To understand what happens now one must find the cause, which may be very long ago in its beginning, but is surely there, and therefore a knowledge of history as detailed as possible is essential if we are to comprehend the past and be prepared for the future.
    —Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973)