Everyday Ways To Teach Black History: Travel Edition -

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When I first started Black History is American History, I wanted to make sure that the curriculum used more than books to engage our children in learning about different topics. I challenged myself to come up with ideas that incorporated everyday toys. In February, I shared how to use board games and LEGO sets to teach children about Black History. Today I want to talk about how you can teach Black History during your travels.

We’re heading out for our summer road trip soon and I’m going to use it as an opportunity to talk about some of the Black people and events we’ve discussed in the past, so I thought why not make a post that helps other parents as well. Since I know that summer trips are already stressful enough, I’m not going to make this post too long but there will be a download for purchase if you want to dig deeper.

Whether you’re road tripping like we are or flying to different destinations, travel opens up the opportunity to talk to children about Black history topics like segregation, civil rights, and photography.

Discussing Jim Crow Laws While Road Tripping

If you’re heading out a road trip with your family, you can use it as an opportunity to talk to your children about the history of Black people traveling in America. Due to Jim Crow Laws, it was often hard for Black people to find towns where they were legally allowed to stay. In 1936, Victor Hugo Green created The Negro Motorist Green Book. It was later renamed The Negro Travelers’ Green Book and contained all the names of towns, restaurants, and service stations where Black people were safe to stop.

Ruth and the Green Book is recommended for children ages 7-11 and follows the story of a young girl heading out on a trip with her family in their brand new car. When they struggled to know where to stop along the way, they were introduced to The Green Book from a service station.

Photography On the Road

I don’t know about you but we take lots of pictures while traveling. This year I plan to include Sesame in the picture taking. We’ve talked about Gordon Parks in the past but we haven’t had a chance to go through the hands-on lessons, so I’m bringing Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America with us. We’ll read the book at bedtime the night before we head out to see the city where I was raised and visit my grandparents.

I want to encourage my six-year-old to take a moment to stop and really see the people and things around him. I hope that when I place a camera (okay cell phone) in his hand, that he’ll take pictures of moments he wants to remember.

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Black History In The Area You’re Visiting

Finally, do some research about the area you’re visiting and take your child to visit places that are rich in Black History. Most larger areas have museums that are rich with culture and history. There are even museums solely dedicated to Black History in most areas.

During our trip to Detroit, we’ll be visiting The Motown Museum. I chose the Motown Museum because Sesame is really into music and is going through a Michael Jackson phase. It’s a way to engage him in something that interests him while including a history lesson as well.

In previous years, we’ve visited the Henry Ford Museum where we sat on the same bus that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and listened to her tell her story.

Since he’s really into cars, I’ll be adding The Making of Black Detroit in the Age of Henry Ford to our library when he’s old enough to read it. Next summer I plan to introduce him to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

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