Gretchen Sorin is een vooraanstaand professor en wetenschapper wiens werk diep ingaat op de cultuurgeschiedenis en de sociale implicaties van kunst. Door haar curatoriële projecten en academisch onderzoek ontrafelt ze complexe verhalen en onderzoekt ze hoe kunst de samenleving vormt en weerspiegelt. Haar aanpak kenmerkt zich door een toewijding aan nuance en meeslepende verhalen, die lezers betrekken bij het leven en werk van de kunstenaars die ze bestudeert. Sorin staat bekend om haar vermogen om historische context te verbinden met blijvende vragen over de menselijke ervaring, wat een blijvende indruk achterlaat.
The automobile has been a crucial symbol of independence for African Americans, offering a means to navigate and escape the perils of a racist society. Through a blend of archival research and personal narrative, Gretchen Sorin uncovers a hidden history of black mobility, highlighting the significance of travel guides like the Green Book. This exploration reveals how the car facilitated a unique form of resistance against oppression, allowing black families to experience the freedom of the open road while confronting societal challenges.
Mobility has historically been limited for African Americans, with slaves confined to their masters' properties and free Black individuals often facing harassment and kidnapping. These restrictions persisted into the Reconstruction era and beyond, as many white Americans denied Black people the right to travel freely. However, the advent of the automobile changed the landscape of mobility. Acclaimed historian Gretchen Sorin explores how the car became a vital symbol of independence for African Americans, enabling them to navigate a racially hostile society and experience the freedom of the open road. She uncovers a parallel world of Black motorists who relied on travel guides, Black-owned businesses, and informal networks for safety. Notable establishments like New York's Hotel Theresa and New Orleans' Dooky Chase provided refuge and sustenance for travelers. Central to Sorin's narrative is the Green Book, a travel guide initiated by Victor and Alma Green in 1936, which allowed Black Americans to participate in family vacations. This guide and the network of Black businesses fostered a new form of resistance against oppression. While the car offered newfound freedom, it also introduced challenges, including segregated services and racial violence. Through her family history and rare images, Sorin illustrates how the automobile reshaped African American life and sheds light on enduring issues of racial inequality.
