Bass Reeves

I put this information out originally for Black History Month in February but I leave this up in all of my classes because I believe Bass Reeves has been overlooked by history and is the greatest law enforcement officer who ever lived. I have been telling my classes about him for more than 10 years. There is a 40-minute documentary on him which was done very well and is very interesting. The link for that is below, and I encourage you all to watch it.

I would like to introduce you all to who I think is one of the greatest police officers of all time. I have talked about Bass Reeves in my classes for years and when I ask my students if they have ever heard of Bass Reeves, there have only been a handful of students who have. I have always found that fact to be astonishing and sad. I believe Bass Reeves has been forgotten in history for a couple of reasons.

First, I believe the true story of Bass Reeves' life was likely the impetus for the legend of the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger has always been portrayed as a white man. But when you study the history of Bass Reeves, you will realize the similarities between the true life of Bass Reeves and the Lone Ranger. I believe that in the past, Bass Reeves has been kept out of pop culture because he was black.

The second reason I believe Bass Reeves has been kept out of pop culture, especially today, is because he was a police officer. In pop culture and social media, we are supposed to hate the police and the idea of the rule of law. When in fact, there is no justification for that.

Bass Reeves was a great man. He was not great because he was black. He was a great man who happens to be black. We need more men and women like Bass Reeves, and when one comes along, we should remember and appreciate them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqw5uXWohlY