This 1956 guidebook for black travelers is an importan reminder of America's racist past
This 1956 guidebook for black travelers is an important reminder of America’s racist past
by David Matthews
During the Jim Crow era, traveling in the United States for African-Americans was difficult and often dangerous. Motels and restaurants didn’t have to serve you if they didn’t want to. “Sundown towns”—places where it was unsafe to be black at night—dotted the nation’s geography. If you were driving around the country, the only way to know if you were safe was by word-of-mouth.
But a black civic leader named Victor H. Green came up with a better, more permanent solution. In the early 1930s, he began publishing a compendium of tips and wisdom for black travelers called The Negro Motorist’s Green Book, which would become better known as just the Green Book.
In its heyday, each edition of the Green Book was selling around 15,000 copies. Green’s guidebook was horrifyingly, frustratingly necessary for African-American motorists, business travelers, and vacationers to use while driving the roads and interstates of this country.
Indeed, the 1949 edition featured an ominous warning on the cover: “Carry The Green Book with you. You may need it.”
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University of Michigan
Thanks to the digital collection at the University of South Carolina Libraries, we were given the opportunity to examine the 1956 edition of the Green Book. Reading the Green Book itself doesn’t cause shock, but remembering its context certainly does.
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Courtesy of the University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library
In the foreword, Green reiterates with very subtle language why a guidebook for black travelers was necessary. He writes: “The Negro traveler can depend on the “GREEN BOOK” for all the information…this guide has made traveling more popular, without encountering embarrassing situations.”
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Courtesy of the University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library
“Embarrassing situations” could refer to a motel owner refusing to rent you a room, a greasy spoon diner rejecting your patronage, or other forms of harassment and outright violence. Mr. Green’s choice of words is almost too courteous—but his readers surely knew what he really meant.
Going through the listings in the Green Book, the recommended lodgings are largely located in predominantly African-American neighborhoods. New York City’s listing, for example, shows mostly places in Harlem.
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Courtesy of the University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library
Green later dedicates a short feature in the guide to sightseeing in New York and even recommends tourists visit him in his home.
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Courtesy of the University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library
This 1956 guidebook for black travelers is an important reminder of America’s racist past
by David Matthews
During the Jim Crow era, traveling in the United States for African-Americans was difficult and often dangerous. Motels and restaurants didn’t have to serve you if they didn’t want to. “Sundown towns”—places where it was unsafe to be black at night—dotted the nation’s geography. If you were driving around the country, the only way to know if you were safe was by word-of-mouth.
But a black civic leader named Victor H. Green came up with a better, more permanent solution. In the early 1930s, he began publishing a compendium of tips and wisdom for black travelers called The Negro Motorist’s Green Book, which would become better known as just the Green Book.
In its heyday, each edition of the Green Book was selling around 15,000 copies. Green’s guidebook was horrifyingly, frustratingly necessary for African-American motorists, business travelers, and vacationers to use while driving the roads and interstates of this country.
Indeed, the 1949 edition featured an ominous warning on the cover: “Carry The Green Book with you. You may need it.”
Twitter Tweet Facebook Share Pinterest Pin It
University of Michigan
Thanks to the digital collection at the University of South Carolina Libraries, we were given the opportunity to examine the 1956 edition of the Green Book. Reading the Green Book itself doesn’t cause shock, but remembering its context certainly does.
Twitter Tweet Facebook Share Pinterest Pin It
Courtesy of the University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library
In the foreword, Green reiterates with very subtle language why a guidebook for black travelers was necessary. He writes: “The Negro traveler can depend on the “GREEN BOOK” for all the information…this guide has made traveling more popular, without encountering embarrassing situations.”
Twitter Tweet Facebook Share Pinterest Pin It
Courtesy of the University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library
“Embarrassing situations” could refer to a motel owner refusing to rent you a room, a greasy spoon diner rejecting your patronage, or other forms of harassment and outright violence. Mr. Green’s choice of words is almost too courteous—but his readers surely knew what he really meant.
Going through the listings in the Green Book, the recommended lodgings are largely located in predominantly African-American neighborhoods. New York City’s listing, for example, shows mostly places in Harlem.
Twitter Tweet Facebook Share Pinterest Pin It
Courtesy of the University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library
Green later dedicates a short feature in the guide to sightseeing in New York and even recommends tourists visit him in his home.
Twitter Tweet Facebook Share Pinterest Pin It
Courtesy of the University of South Carolina, South Caroliniana Library
