The Beauty of Traveling While Black
There Was a Time When Segregation Forced Black Traveler’s to Create Spaces
In 1936 an author named Victor Hugo Green began crafting a beautiful collection of books to help Black people navigate safely through major cities in the US. (He’d be sorta like the Keith Lee of today’s era).
Flash Forward to The Beauty of Traveling While Black
Keith Lee has taken the internet’s heart as he goes on a travel journey focused on something we all love: food. He has a great deal more freedom and room to explore because the laws have banned segregation. He can eat whatever he wants, whenever he wants and however he wants. And we enjoy watching him pour his heart (and beautiful family) into the process.
Flash Back to A Different Time
Things change. White’s only pie is now something we only see in a museum or watching Martin Lawrence hilariously take on history in the comedy movie Life.
But in the mid 1900’s strategy was the only thing keeping Black travellers alive and well. Green uses his wisdom to enhance the journeys of travellers who look like him.
Known as The Green Book, Green would go on to publish and update multiple versions through 1967 (keep in mind The civil rights movement to abolish legal segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement went on from 1954 to 1968 in the US).
In 2024 as I stand in front of a car which represents the storyline of The Negro Motorist Green Book I am at peace with it’s impact on the Black community and America as a country. I take in a breath acknowledging the beauty of traveling while Black.
(Fun fact, in these pictures, I am on my way to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Closing argument speech at the Ellipse in Washington, DC when I stumbled across this exhibit being hosted by The MLK Jr library and the Smithsonian Museum). Exhibit dates below.
Nov. 2, 2024 – Mar. 2, 2025 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
So how are you enjoying the beauty of traveling? Let me know in the comments and be sure to check out some of my other thoughts.
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