Victor Hugo Green’s travel guide, published between 1936 and 1966, provided African Americans with information about safe and welcoming businesses during the era of Jim Crow laws and segregation. These guides listed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other establishments that served Black travelers, offering a crucial resource for navigating a landscape fraught with discrimination and danger. A practical tool for safe travel, it also served as a powerful symbol of resilience and resistance against systemic racism.
This publication offered more than just practical advice; it fostered a sense of community and empowerment among Black travelers. It represented a vital lifeline, enabling access to essential services and safe passage across the country. By highlighting businesses that embraced inclusivity, the guide fostered economic empowerment within Black communities. Its historical significance lies in documenting both the realities of racial segregation and the collective efforts to overcome its limitations.