Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America

Based on the book by historian Gretchen Sorin and directed by Ric Burns, this documentary film explores the history of African American mobility in the United States. It examines how the automobile provided a newfound sense of freedom for Black Americans, allowing them to escape the constraints of Jim Crow laws and the dangers of public transportation, while simultaneously exposing them to new forms of discrimination and violence on the open road. The film chronicles the evolution of the 'Negro Motorist Green Book,' a vital travel guide that helped Black travelers navigate a segregated nation. Through archival footage, expert interviews, and personal narratives, it highlights the resilience of Black families who sought to explore their country despite systemic barriers, while analyzing the deep-seated racial tensions that have historically defined the American landscape and the ongoing struggle for equal access to public space.