Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America

Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America is a feature-length documentary that critically explores the theme of African American travel during the tense, racially-charged times of pre-Civil Rights era America but also extends its scope to cover contemporary issues. Based on distinguished historian and scholar Professor Gretchen Sullivan Sorin's book of the same title, the documentary casts light on the grim reality of the ongoing racial disparity in America. The documentary is directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker and historian Ric Burns and involves esteemed scholars such as Sorin herself, Fath Davis Ruffins, and Allyson Hobbs among others, offering a unique, scholarly interpretation of the past and present scenario.

The 2020 documentary provides a historical and socio-cultural excavation of mobility in the American context, focusing on the African-American community's struggles. Through a fusion of talking-head interviews, road trip recreations, news footage, and more, the documentary joins the broader ongoing conversation about race and space in America with a thought-provoking examination of the road as a complex symbol of both freedom and fear.

Through its narrative arc, the film unravels the story of mobility and the advent of the automobile and how that became a symbol of personal freedom for many. At the same time, however, it ventures into the grim reality of African Americans who were viewed with suspicion, hostility, and prejudice when they exercised the same freedom. Specifically, the film highlights the importance of the creation of The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guidebook for African-American travelers that highlighted safe places for them to dine, sleep, get gas, and avoid during the Jim Crow era.

In one of the most profound aspects of this documentary, the directors draw a direct line between the historical context and the contemporary reality of racial profiling and violence against African Americans. It captures the cohesive narrative that stretches from the segregation era to the present day systemic social issues, hence the title, "Driving While Black". Experts in this documentary like Dr. Gretchen Sullivan Sorin and Dr. Allyson Hobbs articulate the pervasiveness of systemic racism through the lens of mobility, aptly tying the past and the present.

The film also delves into personal narratives, taking viewers through the lives of ordinary African American families who navigated the hazardous landscape of America during summer road trips or migration. Through firsthand accounts of these experiences, the film emphasizes the depth of racial prejudice endured by many African Americans while simultaneously celebrating the persistence and courage of the black community. By carefully threading everyday microaggressions into larger patterns of systematic racism, the documentary provides an expansive view of racial issues in the United States.

The documentary is not solely a somber recount of the grim reality of racism but also a celebration of the African American community's resilience and tenacity. Through the narratives of successful individuals and their stories of courage, perseverance and survival, it paints a vivid picture of the community’s steadfast drive towards progress despite the challenges.

Using an expertly woven tapestry of history, personal experiences and poignant storytelling, Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America provides a resonating discourse on race and social issues. It uses the seemingly simple act of driving to draw attention to the continuing struggle of African Americans for equality, security, and freedom of movement in America. It is not only an informative piece of historical examination, but also a powerful, engrossing, and far-reaching socio-political commentary on the systemic racial issues that are still very much part of America's current landscape.

In essence, despite its historical framing, Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America offers a contemporary relevance that is potent, challenging, and critically important. By providing a deeply thoughtful and sensitively presented view of a momentous part of American society, it serves as a necessary catalyst for dialogue about racial disparity and the road to genuine equality.