Your Community is Your Queue
Photo Credit: The New York Public Library
From 1936 until 1964, Victor H. Green published “The Negro Traveler’s Green Book.” The book helped Black travelers locate hotels, restaurants, and towns that welcomed Black people and helped avoid “sundown” towns—places that kept Black people out through laws and intimidation and where Black people were likely to face racist attacks or lynching if they were still there when the sun went down. While the Green Book was last published nearly 60 years ago, many concerns and fears about being unwelcome in certain communities persist.
Black Americans are the most targeted group for hate crimes, and anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 339% in 2021, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism report. People of color and those in the LGBTQ+ community have been targeted by Airbnb hosts, refused service at tours, singled out at security lines, and victims of brutal attacks. It’s understandable that safety concerns and not feeling welcome remain for many groups.
Today, websites, blogs, and social media pages guide travelers. There is a Green Book Global website where Black travelers rate cities based on their experiences. The Black Travel Alliance is a non-profit that supports Black travel professionals by connecting brands and media and conducting research about Black travel. Travel Noire provides advice, city guides, and news. Two journalists, Asher and Lyric Fergusson, spent hours researching the safest—and most dangerous—locations for LGBTQ+ travelers and published a travel guide. The guide rates countries based on various factors, including legalizing same-sex marriage, protections against discrimination, and propaganda/morality laws. They rate the United States 24th in safety due to varying laws among the states and no broad protection for LGBTQ+ rights.
A gay couple and their children were recently verbally attacked on an Amtrack train and told the story on Twitter.
People of color express frustrations at having to undergo extra security screenings, stares, and difficulties getting cabs and service.
Travel decisions aren’t always based on actual safety data but on what visitors perceive as safe. If a gas station chooses to sell bumper stickers, T-shirts, and signs with racist words next to a threatening image of a gun—Black travelers know they are not welcome in that town. Social media sites share various stories through hashtags like #travelingwhileblack and #airbnbwhileblack.
Reggie Jackson, a columnist for the Milwaukee Independent, detailed his experience traveling to Mississippi with his family a few years ago, “As we approached the truck stop, Confederate flags were everywhere, on many vehicles in the parking lot, hung on the flagpole outside the truck stop, in the windows of the truck stop and sold inside of the truck stop. It was kind of scary, to be honest with you.” He continued his story, explaining that while in the restroom, he saw a condom machine with “not for (the ‘n’ word)” written in large letters.
The Facebook group “Indigenous Women Hike” encourages Indigenous people to reconnect to the land through hiking. But the site also explains their struggle in a post “People don’t understand how BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and people of color] can feel unsafe in the outdoors. Public Lands were created by racist white men with racist ideals. Our Lakes, Mountains and trails now bare their names. Those names serve as reminders of who belongs.”
What can attractions do to help?
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and the Themed Entertainment Association have each created a DEAI committee to start the conversation in their organization. This is a positive internal first step in any organization. Another way to slice it is to gather your community partners and work together to create a DEAI statement, pledge, and plan of action for your community. Pooling resources may help afford better training. Use your power as a group to reach out to local officials, discuss a safety strategy with your local government, and let them know your power in producing revenue and visitors.
Next, walk around your neighborhood and your downtown. Does your community’s public art, such as murals and statues, only feature white people? Do they reflect the culture of your community? Go to the stores near your location. What do visitors see and feel? If you aren’t sure, have others from your organization also visit some of these places and listen to each other’s experiences. Is there a way to invite store owners or city leaders into the conversation? Let them have a stake in how you can work together to make your community feel more welcoming.
Attractions are uniquely positioned to make positive changes in our communities. We are supporters, partners, and leaders. And if we truly believe that travel, adventure, and hospitality are for everyone, then we must build the team that makes it happen.
Do you have a story to share? Let us know; we’d love to hear how you’re impacting your community and maybe share it in an issue of Destinology.
NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE:
Who’s holding the pencil in the drawing room? Next week, we’re discussing inclusive design and asking if we have the right voices in the room when decisions are being made.
Note: Throughout this series, we will follow the AP Style Book and use the term people of color when referring to people of any race other than non-Hispanic white. We sincerely apologize in advance if this choice creates discomfort, and we welcome any reader to contact us and continue the discussion.
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