So Said the Chitlin' Circuit to the Sundown Town
A historical prose celebrating the strength of 'Chitlin Circuit' performers touring a segregated America.
“Sundown Towns” - Sundown Towns are all-white communities, neighborhoods, or counties that exclude Blacks and other minorities through the use of discriminatory laws, harassment, and threats or use of violence. The name derives from the posted and verbal warnings issued to Blacks that although they might be allowed to work or travel in a community during the daytime, they must leave by sundown.
The Chitlin’ Circuit - The Chitlin' Circuit was a collection of performance venues throughout the eastern, southern, and upper Midwest areas of the United States that provided commercial and cultural acceptance for Black musicians, comedians, and other entertainers during the era of racial segregation in the United States.
The Negro Motorist Green Book - The Negro Motorist Green Book was a guidebook for Black travelers that provided a list of hotels, boarding houses, taverns, restaurants, service stations, and other establishments throughout the country that served African Americans patron published annually by Victor H. Green from 1936 to 1966.
So Said the Chitlin' Circuit to the Sundown Town….
We gots plans for the evening that might involve crossing into your borders to get where we goin’. Yeah, we know your trees would love to ornament themselves with our bodies, and oh yes, we can smell the char from dem crosses you set ablaze — but trust me when I tell you the light from yo’ fire ain’t got nothin on the glow of the jukebox at Holloway's Night Club or The Red Bird Cafe or the marquee at The Apollo, or the smiles from our people who came some country miles to get some of this action.
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