Elizabeth Anne McCague

This project examines the structures of the racialized hierarchies within the Mid-Atlantic horse industry from the 18th century to present day. My research joins the theoretical framework of racial capitalism with archaeological material culture analysis and semi-structured interviews to trace how the inequality and exploitation of enslaved Black horsemen’s historical labor and expertise directly translates into the present day expertise of Black and Latinx horsemen currently laboring in the industry. By focusing on the social significance of whiteness, the reproduction of race and racism, and social exclusion and marginalization within the industry, this research underscores how behind-the-scenes labor at horse racing and riding facilities relies on a racialized labor force. This project situates the historical performance of labor by Black horsemen–including grooming, farriery, and carriage-driving– in relationship to the contemporary labor of Black and Latinx horsemen. In doing so, it positions the most strenuous, dangerous, least regulated and lowest compensated forms of work within the industry as a form of violence which benefits primarily white horse owners, consumers, and spectators.