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The Negro Motorist Green Book
The Negro Motorist Green Book was a
publication released in 1936 that served as a guide for
African-American travelers. Because of the racist conditions that
existed from segregation, blacks needed a reference manual to guide them
to integrated or black-friendly establishments. That’s when they turned
to "The Negro Motorist Green Book: An International Travel Guide” by
activist Victor Green and presented by the Esso Standard Oil Company.
Originally provided to serve Metropolitan New York, the book received
such an alarming response, it was spread throughout the country within
one year. The catch phrase was “Now we can travel without
embarrassment.” The Green Book often provided information on local
“tourist homes,” which were private residences owned by blacks and open
to travelers. It was especially helpful to blacks that traveled through
“sunset towns” or towns that publicly stated that blacks had to leave
the town by sundown or it would be cause for arrest. Also listed were
hotels, barbershops, beauty salons, restaurants, garages, liquor stores,
ball parks and taverns. It also provided a listing of the white-owned,
black-friendly locations for accommodations and food. The publication
was free, with a 10-cent cost of shipping. As interest grew, the Green
Book solicited salespersons nationwide to build its ad sales. Inside the
pages of the Green Book were action photos of the various locations,
along with historical and background information for the readers'
review. Within the pages of the introduction, the guide states, “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." The Green Book printed its last
copy in 1964 after the passing of the Civil Rights Act.
By: Erica Taylor, The Tom Joyner Morning Show