Beyoncé Blasted by Her Own Woke Fans Over Buffalo Soldiers T-Shirt

Singer Beyoncé is receiving criticism from some fans following her decision to wear a Buffalo Soldiers-themed shirt during her Cowboy Carter tour stop in Paris.

The shirt, which features imagery and text related to the historic U.S. Army units comprised of African American soldiers, has sparked backlash online, particularly among progressive-leaning members of her fanbase.

Beyoncé, 43, wore the shirt during her performance in Paris, drawing attention from fans and social media users who objected to both the historical association of the Buffalo Soldiers and specific wording included on the garment.

beyoncé wearing a buffalo soldiers shirt, an american army unit comprised exclusively of african americans that helped european and white american colonists fight back native americans and seize control of their land, is not the serve she thinks it is. pic.twitter.com/EEe5LfLcgV

— la canelosa™ (@kiotonicole) June 22, 2025

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

While the shirt appeared to celebrate the legacy of African American military service, some fans expressed concern about the role the Buffalo Soldiers played during the Indian Wars in the 1800s.

The Buffalo Soldiers were originally members of the 10th Cavalry Regiment, established by Congress in 1866, and later included the 9th Cavalry as well as the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

These units, composed entirely of Black soldiers, were primarily stationed in the western frontier and participated in several campaigns against Native American tribes.

Controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s wardrobe choice focused not only on the image of the soldiers but also on a passage printed on the back of the shirt.

According to the blog ONTD, one verse read, “Their antagonists were the enemies of peace, order and settlement: warring Indians, bandits, cattle thieves, murderous gunmen, bootleggers, trespassers, and Mexican revolutionaries.”

The language provoked strong reactions on social media platforms, including Reddit and X, where users criticized the portrayal of Indigenous and Mexican groups as “enemies” and questioned the shirt’s messaging.

“Not everything in Black history needs to be revered and turned into an aesthetic,” one user wrote.

Another user stated, “The Buffalo Soldiers did awful things to indigenous people. The way she waves away their atrocities against indigenous people is gross. Beyoncé’s romanticism of this is beyond the pale.”

Additional posts included criticism of the historical framing: “Beyoncé wearing a Buffalo Soldiers shirt… is not the serve she thinks it is,” one commenter wrote, referencing the soldiers’ role in U.S. westward expansion and military campaigns against Native Americans.

Another added, “That Cowboy Carter album got her feeling all kinds of patriotic in all the wrong ways.”

Some fans expressed disappointment not only in the shirt but also in Beyoncé’s public silence on the matter.

Beyoncé is so “WOKE” that she didn’t even know she was dressed in Blackface — and, now she’s using The Buffalo Soldiers” for her struggling Cowboy Carter Tour pic.twitter.com/KOsuSBdesc

— HarrietEve9 (@HarrietEve9) June 24, 2025

One fan noted, “We have no idea what her intentions are with this shirt or even this whole album and tour. Beyoncé hasn’t come out unequivocally against/for anything. Her silence protects her but also invalidates her.”

Another comment read, “That shirt… ma’am someone in your team should’ve done a triple check. That’s tone deaf as hell.”

The Buffalo Soldiers earned their nickname from Native American tribes who reportedly compared their combat tenacity and appearance to buffalo.

According to historical accounts, the name was possibly inspired by an incident involving Private John Randall of the 10th Cavalry, who was attacked by Cheyenne warriors but fought them off despite multiple wounds.

The comparison described a man who “had fought like a cornered buffalo… had suffered wound after wound, yet had not died… and had a thick and shaggy mane of hair.”

As of now, Beyoncé and her team have not released any statement regarding the shirt or the criticism it has received.

The Cowboy Carter tour continues to draw significant attention, with upcoming stops scheduled across Europe and North America.

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.