Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights
Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights
Book Brief
BetaDriving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2020352
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 20th century
2020
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights, Gretchen Sorin explores how the automobile empowered African American individuals, providing mobility and a measure of safety amid segregation. The book examines the duality of freedom and danger, highlighting travel's role in shaping the civil rights movement and fostering resilience among Black communities.
Informative
Challenging
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
1,201 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights by Gretchen Sorin offers a compelling exploration of African American travel experiences and their impact on civil rights. The book is praised for its thorough research and vivid storytelling, though some readers find it dense. It illuminates the resilience and courage needed to navigate a prejudiced society.
Who Should Read Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights?
Readers interested in Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights enjoy American history, civil rights, and societal impacts of the automobile. Similar readers appreciate The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
1,201 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The book interweaves the history of African American car culture with the broader civil rights movement, showcasing how the automobile provided a sense of freedom and autonomy to Black Americans in a segregated society.
Gretchen Sorin illustrates the dual nature of car travel for African Americans, highlighting both the dangers on the road and the community networks, such as the famous Green Book, that emerged to support Black travelers.
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"Driving While Black" not only delves into historical narratives but also discusses the enduring legacy of these travel experiences on contemporary issues of racial profiling and freedom of movement.
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352
Book • Nonfiction
United States • 20th century
2020
Adult
18+ years
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