POEM: American Black Traveler
by Noni
(Inspired by Candacy Taylor’s Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America)
The stories echo in my memory
Driving west to east and south to north--navigating hostility in all directions
Obvious white hoods and cowardice robes in the Deep South
Passive-aggressive signage on hundreds of Sundown Towns further north
Handing room keys to the white folks who just walked in the door
“No Vacancy” signs were only for us.
Driving too many hours without stopping was, unfortunately, the norm
Joyous singing and laughter were sometimes interrupted by humiliation and silence
A driver's hat behind the seat in case you needed to be somebody's "boy" or somebody’s maid
No one speak. Not a peep. Not a word.
One glance at each other and we had said it all… Another terrorizing moment had passed
No one spoke a word for miles.
Little girls squatting in bushes because accommodations for Colored folks were in deplorable conditions
Offensive smells of inhumanity and indecency at "white only" establishments
Parents shielding and protecting their precious ones from violence and horror
We were traveling to spend the summer with family
Getting there… It was an experience.
Port Arthur, Texas, to Natches, Mississippi-from real hot to the center of the sun
36 Hours round-trip--looking out for danger both ways
Police harassment when we were moving
Poisonous snakes in the long grass when we pulled to the side of the road
Everyone carrying brown greasy bags filled with fried chicken or pork chops, and a biscuit
Packed by our loved ones so we wouldn’t have to stop until we reached where we were going.
El Paso, Texas, to Louisiana, was 14 hours, give or take
Columbus, Ohio, to Charlottesville, Virginia meant
Driving through the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee--always traveling at night
Children thought their parents wanted them to sleep or settle down
Parents meticulously planned their safest route, including the best time of day or night.
Los Angeles, California, to Jefferson City, Missouri
27 Hours if you drive straight through
Another “Low Oil” light or a blown head gasket
Hoping for a service station to maintain the car, use the restroom, take a break
Finding, instead, vulgar language hurled in our direction, and moving our young adult children out of the way
We were headed back to school--classes were starting soon… an HBCU.
African-Americans were migrating across the country
Pursuing opportunity meant we had to leave
We had to load up and get out on the road
Traveling for work, college, family reunions, and recreation
Packing cars with children, suitcases, lunches, and fuel
Driving into apprehension and promise.
The Negro Motorist Green Book was ahead of its time
Intending to make traveling conditions better for the Negro
Encouraging businesses to be revolutionary
Open your doors and accept dollars from the 1.5 million travelers annually
Open your eyes to the spending power of a growing Black middle-class.
Courageous and consistent, it was not the only guide but it spanned decades
Cultivating and stimulating Black-owned businesses, many of them women-owned
Grocery stores, hair salons, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and vacation spots, among others
9,500 Safe places where we were welcome
Fun, food, parties, horseback riding, swimming, and baseball
Being American and moving safely and unrestricted
This is freedom.
Much has changed in the way of travel in this country
There are still places where I can cut the racial tension with a dull knife
As far as 2,000 miles away or as close as one school district away
I hold the history of my family, my community, and my own experiences
The evidence of our stories remembered as we affect social change.
Even now, we let our loved ones know when we’re leaving
And when we should arrive at our destination
We confirm our reservation, pack up the car, sync the playlist, then top off the tank
With full tummies and empty bladders, we say a prayer before we head out
The roots of Black travel in America are here--part of the fabric of this place
Every trip creates new stories to echo in our memory.
Each echoes louder than the last.
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https://vimeo.com/showcase/9207916
https://vimeo.com/showcase/9207916/video/724369910
*This poem is included in Tamasha being released in 2024!
Thank you Black Heritage Society of Washington State, the Washington State History Museum, and the African-American Writers' Alliance (AAWA) for this opportunity.
A very special thank you to @ibrother for capturing this moment.
Most of all, thank you to the author, Candacy A. Taylor for this wonderful work and for capturing and holding our stories!
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