MK
The Green-Book
The Green-Book: An annual publication from 1936-1967 that listed a collection of safe businesses across the United States and parts of Canada that would accept and serve African Americans during the time of the Jim Crow Laws emphasizing segregation.
The Green-Book, originally published as The Negro Motorist Green Book, was started by Victor Hugo Green (1892-1960) and his wife Alma Duke Green (1889-1976). Victor Green was an African American postman living in Harlem during the Jim Crow era. Due to laws, discrimination, harassment, and ever-increasing racial tension, especially on public transportation, many minorities at the time purchased a car as soon as they could. This was also at a time when automobiles, travel, and vacationing were increasingly popular and an intricate part of the American Dream. Unfortunately, owning their own car did not protect them from all the discrimination and harassment. Mr. Green’s first edition in 1936 focused on NYC and its surrounding areas. Providing a list of friendly businesses in a multitude of areas. These businesses included hotels, taverns, garages, nightclubs, restaurants, drugstores, tourist spots, and beauty/barber shops. The popularity of the book was so large that the travel guide began listing other states on a national level. Green enlisted, his network of fellow postal workers who lived across the country to assist in the travel guide. Green also enlisted travelers to share stories and reviews for compensation if accepted (Seiler, 2006). The Green-Book further expanded by listing businesses and locations that were unfriendly, as well as Sundown Towns. By 1947, the Green-Book included safe travel options in all fifty states and some international locations (Giorgis, 2019). The travel guide significantly increased the security of African American travelers and created peace of mind when approaching businesses because they knew they would be accepted (Seiler, 2006). The Green-Book was often a well-guarded resource and continued to be published after Mr. Green’s death in 1960 thanks to his devoted wife and main editor Alma Green. The Green Book’s last publication was in 1967. This was due, in part, to the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and changing times. The Green-Book has been used for inspiration for historians, archivists, writers, and films. Cementing it as one of the most important artifacts from the Jim Crow Era of the USA. Many of the originals have been reprinted.
The Green-Book was not only revolutionary in terms of race but also in terms of gender (Taylor, 2020). Some of the first businesses listed were predominately women-owned beauty salons a cornerstone of Black communities. Throughout its publication, a few shy of 900 salons were listed (Taylor, 2020) along with scores of other women-owned businesses. From beauty schools to funeral parlors. For many, this was one of the few places where they were able to be published and their business thrived for it. By 1959 Alma Green took over the publication and was listed as the publisher and main editor. Her whole staff was comprised of only women (Taylor, 2020).
Digital Collection at the NY Public Library
Victor Hugo Green (1892-1960)
References
Giorgis, H. (2019). The documentary highlighting the real “Green book.” The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/02/real-green-book-preserving-stories-of-jim-crow-era-travel/583294/
Seiler, C. (2006). “so that we as a race might have something authentic to travel by”: African American automobility and cold-war liberalism. American Quarterly, 58(4), 1091–1117. https://doi.org/10.1353/aq.2007.0015
Taylor, C. (2020, January 7). How black businesswomen found success in segregated America. Time. https://time.com/5753893/green-book-women/
Wallenfeldt, J. (2023). The Green Book. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Green-Book-travel-guide
