‘The Green Book’ helped face down Jim Crow

Beginning in the 1920s, as a Black middle class began to emerge across America, widespread automobile ownership opened new opportunities to travel. But Jim Crow posted a stop sign. The era was marked by that system of laws and customs that segregated public spaces and enforced racial inequality.

“Before the abolition of legal segregation, Black Americans with the financial wherewithal turned to private car ownership to escape the indignities of segregated rail and bus travel,” according to the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. “Cars allowed African Americans to drive past segregation.” i ndignities on the road

But those desperate drivers couldn’t just motor past the fact that they faced repeated indignities on the road, indignities never faced by white folks. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People kept an active file of incidents of African-Americans being accosted while in their cars.

In 1948, sociologist Charles S. Johnson uncovered a pattern wherein white vandals would intentionally damage expensive vehicles owned by AfricanAmericans in order to put Black drivers “back in their place.”

Sometimes being in the wrong town at the wrong time of day could even prove fatal.

So in 1932, a Black veteran of World War I, New York City postman Victor Hugo Green, decided to publish a directory of Black-friendly businesses,

Thanks for your support

To the editor: I am writing to thank Syracuse-area residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child com display Ads: lori lewis, ext 316, llewis@eaglenewsonline com hotels, restaurants and service centers in the metropolitan area. d ocumentary airs s aturday

Across the U.S., the project collected over 9.3 million shoebox gifts in 2022. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Through shoeboxes—packed with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items— Syracuse-area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received.

Before long, he expanded “The Negro Motorist Green Book” to cover most of North America. Also known as “The Negro Travelers’ Green Book” or simply, “The Green Book,” it became an indispensable guidebook for American negro travelers from 1936 to 1966.

Not only was “The Green Book” cherished by vacationing Black families, but also by touring Black musicians. This month, PBS is telecasting a documentary which explores the history of “The Green Book” with vocalists, musicians, historians and others who reflect on living through segregation. The daring doc is titled “The Musicians’ Green Book: An Enduring Legacy.” d arlene Love featured

The program will be aired by WCNYTV24 at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.

“The Musicians’ Green Book: An Enduring Legacy” shines a spotlight on well-known jazz, R&B and soul performers who kept The Apollo and Howard theaters and Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom jumping and others who toured the Southern chitlin’ circuit. The documentary is electrified by performances by stars such as Little Anthony and Darlene Love.

Back in 2018, DreamWorks Pictures scored a major box office hit and an Academy Award for Best Picture with a film titled “Green Book” based on the true story of jazz pianist Don Shirley

Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Samaritan’s Purse delivered its milestone 200 millionth shoebox, which was packed on a country-wide tour and then hand-delivered to a young girl in Ukraine. Across NY, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling 518-437-0690. Although local drop - off locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 13 – 20, 2023, anyone can still be a part of this lifechanging project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline

Classified Advertising: Patti Puzzo, ext 321 ppuzzo@eaglenewsonline com billing questions: alyssa dearborn, ext 305, adearborn@eaglenewsonline com

Legal Advertising: luba demkiv, ext 303, ldemkiv@eaglenewsonline com

Publisher: david tyler, ext 302, dtyler@eaglenewsonline com

Creative director: Gordon bigelow, ext 331, art@eaglenewsonline com and his Italian-American driver, Tony “Lip” ValleLonga, who toured the Deep South in 1962 using “The Green Book” as a guide.

While that film never flinches when depicting Shirley being beaten, arrested and refused dinner at the Birmingham country club which hired him, the movie focuses more on the relationship between the two unlikely companions than on “The Green Book.” n avigating injustices

The new documentary includes candid interviews with activists, jazz historians, producers, arrangers and notable musicians who were a part of the circuit. The virtual “underground musicians’ green book” – a network of friends, family and fans – provided food, lodging and fellowship for Black entertainers on tour.

Navigating the injustices of racial segregation was difficult and, at times, dangerous – even for renowned Black artists such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Little Richard and Sam Cooke. Green’s book was a guide to places like New York City’s Harlem, Chicago’s Bronzeville and Washington, D.C.’s U Street.

Indeed, “The Green Book” documented a parallel world of vibrant Black neighborhoods during the Jim Crow era.

Last word “My book’s purpose is to give the Negro traveler information that will keep him from running into difficulties and embarrassments and to make his trip more enjoyable.” --Victor Green.

These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

LizEttE MiLLEr

SAMAritAn’S PurSE

Aaron not seeking reelection

To the editor:

It is hard to believe that this year begins my 40th year in positions I have held with the village and town governments.

I have decided not to seek re-election.

It has been my great honor and privilege to serve the people of this community in both the town clerk and supervisor positions.

I have spent every day listening to your concerns and needs as I strived to make the best decisions on your behalf.

Thank you for the friendship and support I have received throughout my career, and for trusting me to represent you.

JAnEt L. AArOn town SupervISor