News

Jan 09, 2024

Documentary Shows Dark Side of Route 66 in Missouri and Illinois

When I think of Route 66, I think of nostalgic journeys down a historic highway.

When I think of Route 66, I think of nostalgic journeys down a historic highway. A recent documentary tells an entirely different story as many could not travel its roads safely especially in Missouri and Illinois.

This is a new video share of what I now understand to be a documentary that was initially shared by VICE back in 2016. It looks at the history of Route 66, but not the touristy fun retro lookback you might expect. Not even close. It tells the story of how many people of color could not travel Route 66 without trepidation as many towns along the route would not welcome them.

The documentary begins in California, but eventually makes it to Missouri where over half of the counties had no place where any non-Caucasian people could stay back in the 1940's through the 1960's.

Many people would have to travel with what was known as "The Green Book" which showed motels that would welcome people of all races. Back in those days, there sadly weren't many.

The documentary eventually wraps up in Illinois where the original brick segments still remain of what used to be Route 66 in the distant past.

I tend to be naïve to a fault. I've never judged another person based on the color of their epidermis, but that sadly hasn't been the case for everyone especially those who lived during a different era.

This Vice documentary is worth a watch if only to get another viewpoint on what many of us remember as a nostalgic and wonderful part of our history. Sadly, it was not that way for everyone.