The UNTOLD Story of the Negro Motorist Green Book

Discover the history of the Negro Motorist Green Book, a vital guidebook for African American roadtrippers. Founded by Victor Hugo Green, this publication provided safe travel options and listed welcoming establishments across the country during a time of segregation and discrimination.
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[@lmc958]

Maybe it was a good thing we couldn't eat at white restaurants back in those days... because i wouldn't want anyone who hates me to fix me food!

[@lavonnealexander6936]

Lol 😂 facts

[@TYRONE-kh9zn]

It's the same in 2024 why would you want to eat or buy or do business with folks who actually hate you + more?

[@alejandronopasanada5302]

It really is the same and you can know by just being a happy go lucky regular. They get tired of seeing brown happiness.

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

Exactly

[@beverleyreid563]

You're right about that.

[@ramon317]

Some people refuse to believe this actually happened to black folks!

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

That's because they don't know the history of america,most don't know about-SUNDOWN-towns either.And they still exist today.

[@brownpapi2634]

Not true....they know damn it happened their just PLAYING DUMB to change the narrative

[@zarramar3458]

And then they do the whole why does everything have to be about race gaslighting nonsense with us I don't know whether it's more comedic or cruel

[@yahmysavioryahmysavior2780]

It is still happening.

[@lmc958]

I think integration laws that were past have us false since of acceptance and belonging!

[@octoberopal8419]

ITS ABOUT TIME FOR THE NEW GREEN BOOK WITH THE WAY CRAP IS GOING TODAY!!

[@kandaibbie9455]

There are still sundown towns in some areas of the South and Midwest. Protect yourself at all times stay safe traveling.

[@garysims1986]

@@kandaibbie9455 Sundown Towns are not only in the south and the midwest it’s everywhere even in the east and west and the north

[@TYRONE-kh9zn]

The country itself was literally founded upon AntiBlackness & still is in 2024

[@ahkiyah5552]

My Sistar and I want to work on a RBG Green Book. We will compile it as a fundraiser for our humanitarian cause.

[@lionelwells5618]

Sadly YES.

[@DntHtThPlya]

Based upon some of the stories I'm hearing now, this book is needed more than ever.

[@jrobbin24]

They need to make one for white people in major cities

[@Falcon2609]

@@jrobbin24 Nah, they will be alright 🤡

[@veteranbroad8802]

I remember riding from Connecticut to visit our grandmother down in South Carolina..my father ONLY stopped to get gas..no stopping for fast food, our mother made our food..I didnt really quite understand it, but I knew there was something wrong going on here.

[@BjtheLawyer_]

Where yah use the restroom at?

[@veteranbroad8802]

@BjtheLawyer, rest areas, back then stayed open very late..because we always left late at night.

[@WhitePride88]

I'm white and can confirm that up until very recently this was how the majority of families traveled back then as it not only saved money and time, but also because women were the homemakers and this is what they did on trips, just like the men planned the routes and tuned up the cars for the trips. Stop trying to make everything about racism.

[@MrCvjalexander]

I remember having to go in a bottle or a cup as a little kid. Grand Pa was not stopping in some areas, and this was in the 70s.

[@TheKing60210]

Good thinking. Some racist person would have spat on the food

[@kandaibbie9455]

There are still sundown towns in some areas of the South and Midwest. Protect yourself at all times stay safe traveling.

[@asiaturner4797]

Up north here and we still have sundown towns

[@eddiethorne6461]

@@asiaturner4797 ,that is why the Green Book is still necessary.We should spend our many with people who want our business .

[@Kim63146]

💯🎉!​@@eddiethorne6461

[@PlayingInVestapol]

Casar NC, So I heard.

[@JunkerDriver999]

Cullman

[@nastee10]

I'm 54 years old. I was born in Indianapolis. My parents were born in Mississippi and Alabama. I never heard of the Green Book until just a few years ago. But, it really made me rethink some aspects of my childhood. During the 70s and 80s we would make frequent trips down south. My mother would get up at 4 am. to fry enough chicken for the 5 of us. We would make these 10 and 12 hour trips stopping only for gas and restroom breaks. I always thought my parents were thrifty. I would have loved to stop for tourist attractions or restaurant food. Now I realize there were other reasons we never stopped for stuff like that.

[@darrellmitchell765]

Hmmmmm, after realizing this, did you ask or talk to any family members about this?

[@beverleyreid563]

Protection!!!

[@mattgmit]

✊

[@nicolebenton2283]

Shalom family ❤❤❤❤❤

[@leonardwalton6668]

Yes!! I remember this book in my childhood. My father had this book and told me about it. My family traveled to Florida and other laces in the south. We traveled at NIGHT Time way early in the morning! My father said at night everyone looks the same. We really needed this green book! Also if you like to RV there’s a Black RV club in North Carolina. That give you guides to RV places that are nice for US! That evil spirit in still around travel with care!

[@yadaben-yisrael8703]

Born in Greenville MS in 64…Mother raised me in Pensacola FL….when my grandparents would visit us,my grandfather never traveled the roads without this book and his 22 pistol,which I cherish now…..

[@deloreswillis9224]

Thank you… MR. VICTOR GREEN❤ REST EASY SIR

[@elevenfiftynine]

There is a black RVcouple with two sons who were developing a green book for RVers. Can’t remember their name right off. I was a young child during the Green Book time and didn’t understand why things were so different. I remember once these two white kids who came up to me and my little cousin and spit at us and called us the n word. They had no shoes on. But the main thing I remembered was how fast they could run! And I was fast! That adrenaline is real. Believe that. Thank you,Country Boy, for all your great work.

[@user-lq4us1tc5o]

I was born in 1950 and I has a green book in my hands while my father drove us down the highways and am 73 today so remember it wasn't that long ago the White Only signs just came down after 1964

[@Meeshee57]

We need a 2024 edition of the Green Book! For safety AND to patronize Black-owned businesses!

[@Kim63146]

Informative video! I wish there was a current green book to keep us safe and our 👊🏾 dollars with ⚫️ business. Be safe and blessed 🙌🏾 .

[@deloreswillis9224]

ME 2

[@jonsmith848]

Deep. Triggered memories & emotions from when my Parents...Sister & I stopped at a restaurant in TX...circa early 60's...

[@CanePollFishermon]

I live in texas, and I can understand, I came up under Jim Crow, I refuse to even use a capital letter to spell it.

[@jonsmith848]

@@CanePollFishermon it's seared in My Mind...

[@CanePollFishermon]

@@jonsmith848 I understand

[@beverleyreid563]

@@CanePollFishermon for real.

[@greenbyrd3665]

Need to bring it back!

[@computablu]

WE SHOULD'VE KEPT THE GREEN BOOK, AT LEAST TO KNOW ABOUT ALL THESES BUSINESSES FROM THEE BOTTOM UP TO THE TOP OF CORPORATE SCALES. INTEGRATION CRIPPLED BLACK AMERICAN UNITY. WE MUST GET BACK ON CODE.

[@yodaddy9362]

On code like south side chicago all black neighbors

[@casantrygriffin1760]

This is very interesting We didn't have a car so we didn't travel a lot. I remember my grandma frying chicken so we could eat on the way to where we were going. Now I know why.

[@AbeJacoby]

Same here. We would pack our food in saved shoeboxes.

[@--Allen--]

In 1959, my grandmother embarked on a remarkable journey, driving from Texas to North Carolina with my mother, who was just eight years old at the time, and her four younger siblings. During an era when segregation limited where Black families could dine, she devised a clever solution to ensure her children were fed. Before setting off, she placed a pot filled with water and hotdogs under the car’s hood. The engine’s heat would gradually boil the hotdogs as they traveled the long miles. Once they reached a safe spot to rest, she would park the car and serve the warm meal to her children. It was a simple yet ingenious way to provide for her family on the road.

[@billyford7853]

It wasn't until after i watched the movie of thr same name that i realized it was actually in reference to this cherished publication.

[@robertsustaita5813]

I am 62 years old of Spanish and indigenous with a touch of black and Jewish descent and proud of it not to offend anyone or a Mexican brother I remember the unwelcome signs an attitude the stories of my father and grandfather I can relate to the book those were and still are dangerous time some people are quick to criticize the stories those that have never waked in the shoes for the head of the household to put it nicely disrespected that my friends is devastating thank for sharing

[@davidsamuels777]

Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up. - Jeremiah 14:2

[@monicalove8668]

Most parents shielded their children from the realities of Jim Crow. My great grandma left South Carolina & never went back.

[@beverleyreid563]

Who can blame her.

[@veteranbroad8802]

Same with my parents, though they met in Connecticut.

[@deloreswillis9224]

The “ green” book wasssssssssssss soooooooo NEEDED‼️

[@sadiewilliams]

I remember my father using this book The Green book 📚

[@wanderfull5829]

Thank you, Mr. Green. You saved a lot of black lives.

[@doommega]

Fantastic Vid

[@user-mx7hg9sx4p]

Great video ❗🔥💯🏆👍

[@averyce2]

I was born in 1971, and I remember my parents using the Green Book for our fammily travels in the early 70's.

[@PlayingInVestapol]

My Uncles and Grandparents had copies of these. The were traveling Gospel singers. So I imagine these came in very handy for them. I remember seeing them in the trunk of my Grandads 39 Woody. I'm betting there is a special place in Heaven for Mr. Victor Green

[@dawnewinonamoore9364]

WoW this is news to me and this needs to come back with ALL OF THE DEVILMENT GOING ON---Thank You Sir😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@brendanmcnally9145]

Great History!!

[@quinceywilliams4450]

Where you can Receive A smile. That's powerful.

[@russellwendell128]

Thank you for that!!

[@lemondeestavous367]

great job....wonderful visuals.. would love to see more!!

[@alonzoburns4289]

Powerful narrative of the roads /Blacks Americans had and still navigate.

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

May TMH God continue to keep Us strong in this den of hell

[@carterdjohnson9673]

My dad used it to plan our trip to California from Michigan in 1964 to visit his brothers, took us to some interesting places, had a great time, at least for a kid from the farm!

[@DeepDeepSouth]

Enjoyed this

[@saed-sq1kw]

AWESOME

[@kingpin7666]

My parents used to take all the food we needed for the trip on ice in a cooler. We never stopped at restaurants, (only rest stops and scenic overlooks) until we got to our destination. My mom would go ahead and ensure that our hotel reservations were booked checked and triple checked. They never let the kids get out of the car at the hotel until we got our hotel room and it was time to go to the room. My dad used to carry his green book, his road Atlas, and his 45. He was very vigilant on stops but tried to hide it in games. One of us would always be the navigator and we would always know exactly where we were on the map. I used to think it was a fun game as a kid, but now I know it was because if one of us had to call for help, we knew where we were. My dad always told the family we were driving to visit when we left, when we would be there, and how much time he thought it would take. If he was late, he made a point to call and tell them what the adjusted plan was. Travelling back in the day used to be very dangerous for black people

[@thomaspscheidt3876]

thank you!!!!

[@kyleking284]

WOW!! I saw the Green Book movie and Loved it! but I didn't think it was real though😮👍❤🌹

[@ramon317]

Very much real and believe it or not, there are places around this country where, though it isn’t posted, is silently understood that certain people aren’t truly welcomed. Star Mississippi comes to mind.

[@rochellewarren5008]

Memphis Tennessee @ Lorraine motel serviced us with a restaurant & rooms. Mr & Mrs Bailey, owners were a class act.

[@kingpin7666]

You’re not funny

[@mattmccullough1093]

This really did happen back then all the time.

[@ricardored207]

I never came across this book but my grandfather and uncle traveled back to west Virginia like this….. We left New York at night barely stopped but had rest room breaks and gas station stops plus had food with snacks in the car…

[@arthurrobinson4644]

Still need that book right now.Today for them sundown towns

[@lindabilly5471]

I remember the green book. My mother had one. My family travel the Highways of North America and Southern America. When she passed . The book was given to me . I kept the book for many years.

[@MMUOOKIJA]

The Black American Struggle! That's tough!

[@user-er9my8th3f]

This is definitely a plus reminder of a time not that long ago, the genius of our people, how we survived in America, and still do ! We must never forget in all areas we survived because we supported each other we were able to manifest resilience- check out Roland Martin if you haven’t already. God Bless the Negro people- THSNK YOU JESUS !

[@beverleyreid563]

It is unimaginable the lengths folks had to go through to travel in their own country.

[@bmminc3001]

This is America..not too much has changed in the heart of the country..

[@Falcon2609]

Facts

[@voniarichardson7945]

In the early 90’s I was traveling to Alabama from Virginia. I was riding the Greyhound. As soon as we crossed the Alabama state line, they changed bus drivers. I fell asleep, and woke up in the middle of a tiny town in Alabama, the bus driver saw me looking out the window and said “Ma’am it will be best if you stayed down, until we are out of this town.” I looked at where I was, and thought I times traveled back into the 50’s! There was actually a sign on the store that said “Whites only”. Then we got to my connector site, and I was going to wait on my next bus. Nope, that didn’t happen, as soon as I as the driver found out, he said “I need you to call your family to see if they can come and get you. I’ll stay until they get here. I’m not leaving you here alone, by yourself.” I called my uncle (he’s from Alabama and who I was visiting). He said “I’m on my way, and the driver is right. You can’t stay there by yourself.” I wasn’t scared until that moment. Then my uncle explained “There are still some who think like they did in the 50’s, even though they are our age. It’s not safe, especially for a single black northern girl, with a mouth like y’all’s!”

[@AbeJacoby]

In South Carolina during the 50s and 60s, it was common for Black people to pack their cooked food (fried chicken, potatoe salad, cornbread, etc) in a shoe box and eat in their cars while traveling.

[@arthurrobinson4644]

It's civil rights made a lot of things go away but it didn't solve none of the problems that it needed to economicallyll

[@lindabilly5471]

To this day. I still cooked and carry my food from Home going on trips to other states.

[@TherealMrsScottmovingon]

God bless the man who started this , BUT REALLY DID THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE COVER.. WOW🤦🏾‍♀️

[@PlayingInVestapol]

I remember travel with my family starting in 1969. My Father had a brand new Chevy Impala. We'd travel to a lot of places , But never stayed at any hotels. At the time I didn't know my Father feared hotels . Me being young, didn't know the dangers Blacks could encounter while travel.

[@tomcarl8021]

How about all the European and Asian travel brochures given out by travel agents where they show tourists the specific neighborhoods to avoid in any city. Anybody want to guess what neighborhoods they're told to avoid?

[@JimmyGoldberg-ux8ik]

Why are “ they” so violent…

[@tomcarl8021]

@@JimmyGoldberg-ux8ik feral.

[@WhitePride88]

No one has to guess Shinestein. You've always been a problem.

[@Falcon2609]

​@@WhitePride88🤡

[@davidsdean]

Charleston S.C., lots of places in Georgia, lots of places in west Virginia, you can still purchase a green book online, the last year edition and so on

[@sakinahabdulbari6884]

Thank you.

[@alejandronopasanada5302]

Integration was one of the worse things for our people. We should have had our own and enforcement of laws protecting us from the animals that made us less than people then had to responsibility or accountability in repairing the situation.

[@flynnspears7502]

What laws do you think would ever be written to protect us? Not attacking you, but reality is, no matter what "POWER" and the fear of losing it runs this country. As long as the racial construct is uneven and definitely not in our favor, we will remain in this struggle.

[@Falcon2609]

@@flynnspears7502 Exactly

[@williakc3]

Richmond VA 💪🏽

[@patriciaglover442]

Wow!!! Unbelievable our people had to go through this just to travel. 🤬

[@davidsdean]

Still have to be vigilant, the white supremacist still out there playing boogey man

[@nubag7]

You can still fine an historic sites in flagstaff. Just ask for one in their visitors center.

[@gorgeouslady5612]

Black people left the South! went to the North! and all are now Back in Southern States!.

[@rickmoses5081]

INFORMATIVE AND INTERESTING YET, DISTURBING that it had to exist in the first place. THIS IS EDUCATIONAL & need NOT to be forgotten EVER! Thank you for sharing.

[@nicolebenton2283]

Shalom family ❤❤❤❤

[@user-se3dw7hy7m]

Now they want to take us back in time we'll that's not going to happen ever again.

[@z0ee996]

Sundown towns still exist!..

[@ETTP.S]

Who ever was pushing for desegregation was a damn fool. Should’ve kept things segregated.

[@darylejudie3119]

It really hapen very sad to live like that in this world

[@vidacruz9688]

I will say that I did not know anything about the green bowl, but I will say as I have Puerto Rican a hand black child when my guy parents took me to North Carolina in South Carolina there was a total difference than where I was brought up and Philadelphia. I do remember always being in the car with my godparents, and I always was a little child sitting in the back of the seat of the car having all the food I ever wanted to eat, and I had a very lovely time, but I know that we can never stop at the bathroom to go to the restaurants which I did not understand. Is it time realize that was segregation but I had a lovely child.

[@monicalove8668]

Patti Labelle will always cook her own food!!!

[@christophermitchum6829]

Hmmm... the rats are gettin' kinda hectic 😎✔️👍

[@garyjackson9769]

Could you make another one

[@joetoe9947]

☝️… appreciate your article… do you know if there is a place(s) where this book can be obtained today?…

[@christinedaly8564]

The world was giving to the wicked Job 9:24 KJVThe earth is given into the hand of the wicked: He covereth the faces of the judges thereof; If not, where, and who is his Don't be surprised learn the Bible Job 9:24 - King James Version (KJV) -

[@slimpickens01]

I see many comments saying we need to bring this back. I would like to remind folks that we have a form of Green Book on social media especially on Facebook. You various groups under 'Black Owned Businesses' or 'Black Owned Restaurants' followed by the name of the city or town. Some have an upload in which you can transfer the business listings to your Google Maps. I would say the most important thing is to support black owned businesses and get over the pocket watching.

[@MsDisneylandlover]

I wonder y the color green

[@jeromec7595]

It’s similar to the green card for migrants to gain citizenship in the US

[@lukewright9031]

Legend has it that it was because of the color scheme of the book.

[@ladyree7575]

💚 Green light to Go there.

[@bootnazz1786]

Now immigrants come to america and tell blacks how great america is,and didnt live one day of this in america.and fled there land because they didnt like it.

[@twanbutler692]

I actually have a copy and found a few places but non where nolonger black owned or have been torn down

[@smoothoperator7023]

Why are the people on the cover white? 🤔

[@everettwomble5541]

I'm not an African American I'm a BLACK AMERICAN I was born here not Africa. You said black owned restaurants not African owned restaurants I love my heritage but my grandmother was Indian blood also. No disrespect but but I'm BLACK.

[@michaelodonnell824]

EVERY single MAGA voter should be compelled to watch this video on the America they believe was "Great"....

[@ramon317]

No doubt!! That’s the fallacy of it all… roll back to a time when it was supposedly great as long as you had control and didn’t look like me! 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@brownpapi2634]

They ALREADY KNOW! STOP TRYING TO MAKE THESE WHITE SUPREMACIST UNDERSTAND YOUR PAIN AND STRUGGLE.....THEY DIDN'T GIVE AF THEN AND THEY DON'T GIVE AF NOW

[@WhitePride88]

It was great before them Tyrones got uppity.

[@CCJJ160Channels]

Serious question, Latino and Asian people must have traveled, what did they do?

[@WhitePride88]

They had the Brown and Yellow books.

[@CCJJ160Channels]

@@WhitePride88 interesting.

[@WhitePride88]

Two interesting titles of note which deal more extensively with the subject are 'Beaners Beware' and 'They Will Nuke You Too'

[@anthonyjohnson9403]

But America was NEVER a racist country. Right Tim Scott

[@sadiewilliams]

I remember my father using this book The Green book 📚

[@sadiewilliams]

I remember my father using this book The Green book 📚

[@sadiewilliams]

I remember my father using this book The Green book 📚