I was watching a show about the historic Mother Road, also known as Route 66, when I learned something new. Route 66 was a highway that ran from Chicago to Los Angeles and was home to cheesy roadside attractions, like the world’s largest rocking chair and an 80 foot long blue whale. For the most part, it ran through the main street of many towns. There were also plenty of motels, diners, gas stations, and gift shops along the way. The thing is, not everyone was welcome in some of those establishments.
Enter The Negro Motorist Green Book. I had no idea such a thing existed.
This guide was created by Victor Green, published from 1936 to 1966, and contained a list of “negro friendly” establishments, because not everyone could get their kicks just anywhere on Route 66. Some of us had to work within certain stipulations.
Here is an excerpt from the introduction of the 1949 edition, courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Collections:
With the introduction of this travel guide in 1936, it has been our idea to give the Negro traveler information that will keep him from running into difficulties, embarrassments and to make his trips more enjoyable. The Jewish press has long published information about places that are restricted and there are numerous publications that give the gentile whites all kinds of information. But during these long years of discrimination, before 1936 other guides have been published for the Negro, some are still published, but the majority have gone out of business for various reasons. In 1936 the Green Book was only a local publication for Metropolitan New York, the response for copies was so great it was turned into a national issue in 1937 to cover the United States.
Over half of the 84 counties that spanned Route 66 were whites only communities. Also known as “sundown towns” with Jim Crow laws. Jim Crow laws enforced segregation, and sundown towns posted signs that are self-explanatory.
I’m a planner when it comes to my vacations. I like to know what to expect, where the best places to eat are, and how much something will cost me. But can you imagine the kind of planning required for a family vacation back then? Planning without the help of the internet or smart phones. Your planning skills could mean the difference between life or death.
Though I didn’t know this guide existed, I knew not to get caught after dark in an unfamiliar town. I’ve even (semi) joked with my kids on road trips about “getting out of here before dark.” No one had to explain why to me. I didn’t need signs to understand. I knew why.
As a kid, sometimes I’d overhear my elders (to include my parents) telling stories about the racism they’d experienced. While no one in my family extensively dwelled on racism and injustice, those stories taught me early on that there were people who would treat me differently because of the color of my skin. Unfortunately it didn’t take long to understand first hand. I have stories of my own, something I may eventually share in a future blog posting.
There isn’t a need for the guide anymore, but just because there aren’t sundown signs (that I’m aware of, I’m not trying to find out) doesn’t mean the mentality doesn’t still exist (in some places and within some people). Personally, I’d rather have the signs so I know what I’m dealing with upfront.
The demise of Route 66 began with the passing of the Interstate Highway Act in 1956, which created super highways that bypassed ‘main street’ America. And while Route 66 no longer “officially” exists (it was decommissioned in 1984), a lot of the actual road still exists and can be driven. I’ve actually visited a section of the historic road on two separate trips to the Grand Canyon (Kingman and Seligman, Arizona), and the only history I was aware of was that there were several towns along the route that served as inspiration for the Disney movie Cars. Knowing what I know now, I no longer have images of families in station wagons taking summer road trips, stopping occasionally to visit things like the world’s largest concrete totem pole or The Gemini Giant.
Why drudge up this negativity from the past, especially now when the country is experiencing such a racial divide?
1.) Knowledge breeds understanding. I believe in order to understand a person, you have to understand their background, their history, and their personal experiences. I believe you can apply that same theory to society as a whole. Understanding doesn’t have to mean I agree with you, but I always seek to understand.
2.) Understanding breeds discussion. For example, let’s say you know someone who’s afraid of dogs. You might assume it was because they were attacked, but it could be that they were taught to be afraid, or maybe the fear was inherited from a relative who is fearful. The best way to know why the person is afraid is to ask. Hopefully they’ll impart some knowledge to you, which opens the door for discussion and understanding.
3.) The lack of knowledge can be addresses in schools. Our history classes are should teach all history, not carefully edited mostly ‘white’ history. The reason black history month exists is because it wasn’t being taught in school. We didn’t choose to separate ourselves, we realized we were being excluded. Black people have contributed more to American history than Martin Luther King’s accomplishments. How about we broaden the horizons and teach truthful history that doesn’t exclude anyone. We can’t make any progress if we keep teaching children that Christopher Columbus “discovered” America, and that he sat down and had peaceful Thanksgiving-like meals with the “Indians.” How do you discover a place that’s already inhabited?
I don’t claim to have all the answers but I do know this. In order to understand how far we’ve come, we have to understand where we’ve been. And only then you can track your progress and move forward. We have to know our history, discuss it, learn from it, and continue to grow.
The biggest takeaway for me, as someone who loves to travel, is I have a greater appreciation for the freedom I have today. If I’m hungry, I stop and eat. If I need gas, the only guide I have to consult is GasBuddy so I can find the cheapest rate. However, I’m not so naïve as to believe I can stop in Anytown, USA and be assured that I’ll be welcome after dark (or even during the day for that matter). While we have made some strides, we still have a ways to go.
Angela
To learn more, click below:
Listing of Route 66 properties listed in the Green Book Guide (as of 2014)