Summer: Jackson, Wyoming

byLeah Schlacter

Brown Bear Brown Bear what do you see?

I saw a black bear walking up Cache Creek

and it’s still a black bear even though it’s fur was brown
because black bears come in different colors from black
to brown to cinnamon to blonde. The bear smelled
the biscuits and brisket from the Bar T 5 Chuckwagon cookout.

Red Bird Red Bird what do you see?

I saw a white man dressed as an Indian walking up Cache Creek

“The Bar T 5 chuckwagon parade entry Saturday included Native American characters in red facepaint and black wigs played by non-Native American employees. The costumes are also used in Bar T 5’s chuckwagon dinner shows in Cache Creek canyon.”

Yellow Duck Yellow Duck what do you see?

I saw chicken thighs on sale at Smiths

The man working the meat counter asked
if I was Latina as he punched numbers into the scale.
His nametag says Raphael. I want to belong.
But I tell him no, I’m half Filipina half Jewish. I could have
added that Spain colonized the Philippines too
but I didn’t.

Blue Horse Blue Horse what do you see?

I see a Jackson Hole News and Guide headline

“Report says Latinos drive Jackson economy”

Green Frog Green Frog what do you see?

I see another Jackson Hole News and Guide headline

“Bear walks into home, then poops and leaves
Bruin entered Upper Cache home door open.”

White Dog White Dog what do you see?

I see whiteness whiteness everywhere

“Less than a week after the Bar T 5 entry in the Old West Days parade caused a dust-up in person, on social media and in the newspaper about white people in ‘redface,’ co-owner Jeff Warburton sent out a statement Friday afternoon saying the chuckwagon outfit would discontinue the 45-year practice. For the past 45 years the chuckwagon has used its dinner show to ‘honor the story of friendship between Nick Wilson and Chief Washakie,’ the release said. ‘In a continued spirit of friendship to all, we will not be honoring that story using live actors portraying native Americans any more. We apologize to anyone who has chosen to take offense. It has never been our intention to offend or belittle anyone.’”

choose to take offense
choose to make a cent
choose to make a fence

Black Sheep Black Sheep what do you see?

I see Kanye West and Kim Kardashian at Big Hole BBQ

“On Thursday, Kanye West hosted an album release party for his new seven-song album, ‘Ye,’ at Diamond Cross Ranch in Buffalo Valley. The event brought 300 to 400 rap artists, models, actors and other friends of the singer to Jackson. On Thursday and Friday #Wyoming was one of the highest trending hashtags on Twitter, including posts where people wondered what, even, is a Wyoming?

West introduced an abundantly large audience to Wyoming, which is something the tourism board is always looking to do.”

Slavery was a choice.

Save me a voice.

Children Children what do you see?

We see a brown bear
red bird yellow duck
blue horse green frog
white dog black sheep
and a teacher
looking at us.

Leah Schlacter was supported by a Freya Project travel grant for her Kundiman fellowship.