Black Travel Movement facts for kids
The Black Travel Movement is a cool idea where businesses help Black people travel more. It's about making travel open to everyone. This movement started around 2010. But its roots in the United States go back a long time. It connects to things like The Negro Motorist Green Book and special resorts for Black travelers.
Experts Alana Dillette and Stefanie Benjamin say this movement grew. It helps because Black people were not often seen in travel ads. The movement is growing fast and becoming very important.
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A Look Back at Black Travel
In the late 1800s, some wealthy Black people started traveling for fun. They used trains and steamships. When they traveled outside the United States, they often felt more free.
Resorts for Black Travelers
Starting in the early 1900s, special resorts were built. These places were for Black travelers. Other resorts often did not allow them because of unfair rules. Some of these important resorts included Idlewild and American Beach. Others were Bethune Beach and Oak Bluffs. There were also Bruce's Beach and Lincoln Hills. Other spots were Pacific Beach Club and Paradise Park. Plus, there were areas near Sag Harbor.
Traveling by Car
Cars made it easier for Black Americans to travel. They didn't have to deal with unfair rules on trains. But car travel had its own dangers. It was risky to stop at places that didn't welcome Black people. Some towns were even called "sundown towns." This meant Black people had to leave before dark.
To help with this, The Negro Motorist Green Book was created in 1936. This book listed safe places for Black travelers. It showed hotels, restaurants, and gas stations where they would be welcome.
How Travel is Advertised
For a long time, travel ads mostly showed white travelers. In 2018, most ads still did this. Black people were rarely shown, unless they were working. This made it seem like Black people didn't travel. It also made some people think they shouldn't travel.
The Modern Movement Today
In 2011, the first Black Travel Movement company started. It was called Nomadness. Evita Robinson created it. Her goal was to connect Black people with travel chances. These chances were not usually advertised to them.
By 2022, there were about 20 such companies. Experts call them "social entrepreneurships." This means they want to make money. But they also want to create positive social change. They want to make the travel world fairer for everyone.
