Introduction Who is this guide for
“Separate but equal”
That was the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation in the United States.
Since then one way or another, good American citizens of all races and religions keep waging a never-ending struggle for abolition of this shameful slogan. One of the most significant manifestos became The Negro Motorist Green Book published from 1936 to 1966. It gave many black Americans vital info for safe travel through the vast expanses of the Land of Opportunities which is not always friendly to everyone.
Times have changed. My associate, an Afro American, and me, a native of Belgium, visited about two dozen cities of five States on business. So, we were able to compare safety and ease of travelling for people of different races in various places of the USA.
We found ourselves in different situations. In most places they took us for partners, not for business ones. Yet, it did not actually matter (except couple of Tennessee towns where it took quite a long time to prove our cisgender).
We have made disappointing conclusion that the U.S. citizens still remain separate but equal. Colored Americans however had mastered the rules of the game long before Mr. Green’s work was written. Whereas white citizens require emergency listing and description of all places potentially dangerous for people with their skin color and detailed rules of behavior in rough neighborhoods.
A purpose of authors of this Guide is to inform white travelers both U.S.
citizens and guests so that to keep them from running into difficulties, embarrassments and to make their trips more enjoyable.
We look forward your support and your help in further additions to our start- up. Some neighborhoods are extremely hard to reach in due to adverse circumstances. We will appreciate any info and photos of those places.
Tell about this Guide in the Web if it was useful to you. Any feedback also will be welcome.
