The Road to Civil Rights

American History Hit

History Hit

America, History

4.5 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 10 April 2023

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Under segregation, African Americans' lives were severely limited. Restricted entry to public places, private businesses and public transport, cars provided liberty they were otherwise denied and protection from danger and discrimination. Gretchen Sorin, author of Driving While Black, tells Don that with the help of travel guides such as the Green Book, listing businesses that would accept African American customers - the car enabled African Americans to enjoy the freedom of the open road.

Produced by Benjie Guy. Mixed by Tom Delargy. Senior Producer: Charlotte Long.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Imagine it's say 1949 and you're in the American self.
0:08.0	Now imagine you're a world-class singer on tour by the name Mahalia Jackson, a legend in gospel music, rapidly building a
0:16.1	fan base elsewhere in the market. For decades you've been working hard to reach the pinnacle
0:21.3	of your profession. You and your band have just performed your third date this week,
0:25.0	and you're plain exhausted.
0:27.0	Exiting the stage door with flowers from your dressing room,
0:30.0	you stop to sign a program and smile and wave to fans.
0:34.8	The gig tomorrow night is about a day's drive to the south, but rather than head for a hotel
0:39.3	and a warm comfortable bed, you climb into your car ready to drive hours into the night.
0:45.4	Why?
0:46.4	Because that local hotel doesn't rent rooms to people of color, nor will the restaurants
0:51.4	serve you food.
0:52.4	No.
0:53.0	Tonight, like so many nights on this tour, will be spent in your car.
0:56.8	At some point sleeping fitfully, parked at the side of the road,
1:00.4	and you will arrive at tomorrow's engagement,
1:02.4	hoping you got enough rest to be the top
1:05.0	professional people are paying good money to see. So much for fame, fortune, and accomplishment
1:10.8	in segregated America. Hey everybody, it's Don Wilden.
1:25.0	Welcome to another episode of American History Hit.
1:28.0	It is the most basic theme of American life
1:31.0	to exist by the absolute freedoms accorded to any human being, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
	...

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