Treasures of the Rare Books Room - The Negro Motorist Green Book
Today, most travelers take for granted the ease in which they eat on the road, purchase gas, or book hotels. In the Jim Crow era, when discrimination against African Americans was rampant and sanctioned, many did not have that luxury. African Americans were burdened with dangers and inconveniences during road travel to which many white travelers were oblivious. The threat of racist local laws, segregated facilities, racial profiling by police, and sundown towns created an atmosphere of constant uncertainty and risk for drivers. After 1936, travel became much easier with the printing of The Negro Motorist Green Book.
The Negro Motorist Green Book (commonly referred to as The Green Book) was conceived in 1932 and first published in 1936 by Victor H. Green. The Green Book was a directory of hotels, camps, road houses, and restaurants that would serve African American customers. The original edition only covered metropolitan New York but the response was so great that it turned into a national and international issue covering parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Each edition also featured articles on popular travel destinations and reader submitted stories.
The Green book was published from 1936 until 1964. After the creation of the 1956 national highway system, the need for the directory diminished. This was foreseen by Victor Green who stated in the book’s introduction:
“There will be a day sometime in the near future when this guide will not have to be published. That is when we as a race will have equal opportunities and privileges in the United States. It will be a great day for us to suspend this publication for then we can go wherever we please, and without embarrassment.”
Unfortunately, Green did not live to see this become a reality. He passed away in 1960 before the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act which made the Green Book and similar publications unnecessary. If you would like to view the Green Book, please contact the Arts, Music and Recreation Room at (414) 286-3071 to schedule an appointment.
Maria @ Central