The 'Green Book' Was a Travel Guide Just for Black Motorists

For 30 years, a New York City mailman by the name of Victor Green wrote and distributed the Green Book—a travel guide for African American motorists.



Now, to be clear, this was not your average AAA guide or a Zagat's providing the "hot spots" to travel, this was in actuality a life saver for black folks during the heights of segregation in the United States, from 1936-1966.


The Green Book helped black travelers navigate the dangers and constant humiliations that racial segregation posed.

The book included everything from gas stations that would serve African Americans to restaurants, barber shops, beauty salons and safe places to stay. So, how is it that a book that was in circulation for three decades is relatively unknown today?


Author and playwright Calvin Ramsey is currently working to make sure that Victor Green and his efforts to keep black motorists safe are as well-known as Rosa Parks with his latest project, The Green Book Chronicles.


"Discrimination was so real that not only did they [black travelers] pack their own food; but also their own gas. You never knew when traveling while black what was going to happen to you and if you had kids with you it just added to the anxiety," said Ramsey.

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