Jim Crow And Racial Segregation

In the 1930’s it felt very uncomfortable for African Americans to travel anywhere because this was during the racial segregation era or commonly referred to as the Jim Crow. It was eventually the term Jim crow was applied to the body of racial segregation laws and practices throughout the nation. This was occurring as early as 1837, the term Jim Crow was used to describe racial segregation in Vermont. Most of these laws happened only in the southern and border states of the united states between the years of 1876 and 1965. They mandated the separation of the races and separate and unequal status for African Americans. The most important of the Jim Crow laws required that public schools, public accommodations such as water fountains,

bathrooms, and restaurants .as well as public transportation such as busses and trains were separate for whites and blacks. These places established for African Americans were always far inferior to whites. In 1936 the “Negro Motorist Green Book” as well as later being known as “the negro travelers green book” was published by a African American

named Victor Hugo Green. He was Born on November 9. 1892 was a postal employee in Harlem New York City.

He would comply data in the New York area of stores that accepted black travelers. The green book was published from 1936 through 1967 .The book became so popular that he updated with Hotels, Restaurants, and gas stations in most of the U.S that would cove, because back then African Americans would even pack lunch just to avoid stopping in places where they would be looked at and frowned upon. but not only that they were still racist people that wanted to lynch Africans. According to (8375) “Lynching’s became even more widespread beginning in the 1880s and would remain common in the South until the 1930s. Between 1880 and 1930, an estimated 2,400 black men, women, and children were killed by lynch mobs. (During the same time period, roughly 300 whites were lynched.) Most lynching occurred in the Deep South (i.e., Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, and South Carolina). Border Southern states—Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina also had a noteworthy number of lynching’s” and most of these didn’t even carry out with a fair trial just all odds against them because the whites wanted them dead. nonetheless these lynching’s were the one recording, who knows what hasn’t been recorded and that in my opinion its crazy how horrible things were for Africans Americans in the past because

all they wanted was to be free and equal and it was like the whites gave no care and it leaves me in disgust in all honesty. The green book was granted to help any African American family that wanted to travel saved them the trouble of the many difficulties and embarrassments as possible. here’s an excerpt from the introduction to the spring 1956 edition: “Millions of people hit the road each year, to get away from their old surroundings, to see and learn how people live, and meet new and old friends. Modern travel has given millions of people an opportunity to see the wonders of the world. Thousands and thousands of dollars are spent each year on various modes of transportation. Money spent in this manner brings added revenue to tradesmen throughout the country. The white traveler has had no difficulty in getting accommodations, but with the Negro it has been different. He, before the advent of a Negro travel guide, had to depend on word of mouth, and many times accommodations were not available. Now things are different. The Negro traveler can depend on The Green Book for all the information he wants, and has a wide selection to choose from.

Hence this guide has made traveling more popular, without encountering embarrassing situations.” The idea of creating the green book was helped by the Jews because back then the Jews use to have a book the same to help them with their travels as time went on and it became more than just new York it covered Hugo had help from the courtesy of the Unites States Travel Bureau of which Mr. Chas A. R. McDowell was the collaborator on negro affairs , Most valuable information was secured . and with both them working together it helped have the guide contain the best ideas for the reader. In 1941 ‘PM’ one New Yorks great white newspapers found out about the green book . Wrote a Article on the guide and praised how good the guide was. The book even contained business of whites that cater to the Negro trade at the time it had 80 pages of useful information. This book helped many African Americans avoid the adversity during traveling which shouldn’t have ever been a issue to begin with but thanks to Hugo it helped so many achieve to travel and get away from the same surroundings that many African Americans were tired of. it is

great what people can do to help others avoid obstacles and adversity. Hugo just wanted to help people from embarrassment and avoid African American families having their trip ruined because of some ignorant whites. He even said it himself in the 1956 edition he says “Our leaders and educators look forward to the day when as a racial group, we will enjoy the rights and privileges guaranteed us, but as of now withheld in certain areas of these United States.” In conclusion this is my essay about how Africans Americans traveled in the 1930’s during segregation and in all honestly I didn't even know this occurred or African Americans even traveled I found this on a video on Facebook and was baffled learning about the green book I had to learn more thus making me want to write about the green book and who created it , because it was amazing to know how African Americans traveled and avoided anything from the whites and segregation and save themselves from embarrassment. It helped me learn the hardships that they faced and why some didn't even want to vacation but thanks to victor green he paved a way to not ruined vacations for African Americans.