During this era, cars were widely considered a symbol of freedom and success. With a growing Black middle class, more Black Americans were able to purchase cars and use them for work, commuting, and leisure. Cars were also considered status symbols among Black communities. Due to redlining, many Black households were restricted from buying certain property, so their status was shown through their cars. The car represented a narrative of Black success and prosperity that was often overlooked and underrepresented. A commonality seen throughout a majority of these photos is that many households would include themselves in front of their cars to communicate a sense of pride. In many ways, these images were not used solely for materialistic reasons but to demonstrate to other Black Americans that they too could realize and achieve the American Dream.
For Black Americans, taking photographs in front of their cars was a significant event, which is why you’ll notice that many individuals in these images are dressed in formal attire, including photographs of large families or children. Additionally, a lot of the people in these images have very proud or stoic facial expressions which allows the photographs to convey a sense of status and prosperity.
In many of these images, you will also notice that a lot of the cars featured are large and spacious. This is because aspects like safety and comfortability took the highest priority since a considerable amount of time was spent in the car when traveling. It was not uncommon for Black folks to sleep in their cars, especially during interstate travel, due to limited room and board opportunities for Black travelers. Large interiors had room for necessary travel supplies. For many, the car was more than a means of transportation, but a symbol of success, freedom, and safety.
Two Men, One Sits on Front Fender, Ford Model T, 1920s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Four Women, San Antonio, TX, June 1947. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Man in Vest and Hat, Sedan, 1930s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Three Young Men in Hats, Feet on Front Bumper, 1920s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Couple Hugging, Packard, 1950s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Man Hugs Woman on City Street, April 1956. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Woman Sits on Hood, 1949 Buick Roadmaster, 1940s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Man with a White Hat, circa 1942. Photo courtesy of Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Group of Friends, Roadster, 1936, 1930s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Two Sisters, Sedan, California, 1930s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Lodge Couples, Parade Roadster, 1920s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Four Women Sit on Front of Car, Chicago, IL, 1920s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Family & Sedan, Framed Large Format Hand Colored Photograph, circa 1943. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
“Ardell, Dad, Mom, Billy, Norma, Helen, & Gilbert” 1940s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Boy in Toy Car, 1950s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Man Behind the Wheel, Woman with Hand on Door, 1950s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Couple on Residential City Street, Coupe, 1940s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Couple, Harlem, NY, circa 1933. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Woman, Harlem, NY, Cadillac, circa 1941. Photo courtesy of Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Friends Pose at Side of Sedan, 1920s. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Loving Couple on Town Street, 1958 Buick. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Man Rests Foot on Rear Bumper, New Jersey, 1946. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Man, Souvenir Car, St. Louis, MO, 1908. Photo courtesy of the Stanley B. Burns Archive.
Source:
Sorin, Gretchen. Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights. W. W. Norton & Company., 2020.
