On January 21st we celebrated the remarkable life of Martin Luther King Jr. and his everlasting legacy of peace and hope for a brighter future without prejudices. Decades prior to the civil rights movement that changed a nation, we were fortunate to have some good people of this world who ran hotels, night clubs, gas stations, barber shops and restaurants who had made the bold decision to cater to the African American population, regardless of the volatile segregation and racism happening across the United States.
"The Negro Motorist Green Book" was published by a postman from Harlem, NY named Victor H. Green as early as the mid-1930's. This guidebook has now inspired and become a major motion picture, "The Green Book" is just out in theaters now. (see the end for the great trailer!!)
The great American car culture boom was upon us, and as more and more people took to the freedom of the open roads, Victor recognized there was a dire need to keep African Americans safe as they traveled. As a postman, Victor was well traveled himself, and as he worked his daily routes he naturally picked up the word on the streets. He worked closely with his fellow black postmen compiling lists of black friendly businesses, eventually publishing his Green Book and charging just enough to make a decent profit. It originally encompassed his own NY territory, but demand for his unique book swelled, and it eventually became a nationwide guidebook. It was updated with new businesses each year, until its final printing in 1966-1967. It was Mr. Green's wish that there would be a time that his book would no longer be needed. The Green Book became indispensable for the black traveler- it was twofold: it created a network of safety and also contributed to the success of numerous black-owned businesses.
Clifton's Cafeteria, founded in 1931, was just one of the businesses proudly listed in The Green Book. Clifton's was on the path of the great US Route 66 Mother Road, and travelers and tourists from all over the country, as well as from all over the world, came to this prime tourist destination. Clifton's once prided itself on creating an atmosphere that welcomed everyone, regardless of race, creed or economic status.
"The Negro Motorist Green Book" was published by a postman from Harlem, NY named Victor H. Green as early as the mid-1930's. This guidebook has now inspired and become a major motion picture, "The Green Book" is just out in theaters now. (see the end for the great trailer!!)
The great American car culture boom was upon us, and as more and more people took to the freedom of the open roads, Victor recognized there was a dire need to keep African Americans safe as they traveled. As a postman, Victor was well traveled himself, and as he worked his daily routes he naturally picked up the word on the streets. He worked closely with his fellow black postmen compiling lists of black friendly businesses, eventually publishing his Green Book and charging just enough to make a decent profit. It originally encompassed his own NY territory, but demand for his unique book swelled, and it eventually became a nationwide guidebook. It was updated with new businesses each year, until its final printing in 1966-1967. It was Mr. Green's wish that there would be a time that his book would no longer be needed. The Green Book became indispensable for the black traveler- it was twofold: it created a network of safety and also contributed to the success of numerous black-owned businesses.
Clifton's Cafeteria, founded in 1931, was just one of the businesses proudly listed in The Green Book. Clifton's was on the path of the great US Route 66 Mother Road, and travelers and tourists from all over the country, as well as from all over the world, came to this prime tourist destination. Clifton's once prided itself on creating an atmosphere that welcomed everyone, regardless of race, creed or economic status.
Founder Clifford Clinton made it VERY clear within his policies that anyone who entered underneath the arches of his doors were friends, but he even took it a step further than just "friends." You see, he looked at everyone as under one pure race-- the HUMAN race, therefore you became "family" too. Per Los Angeles historian Kim Cooper of Esotouric Secret Los Angeles, there's a great letter penned by Clifford Clinton to a racist correspondent telling them exactly where they can 'get off' (a likely complaint of the presence of African Americans dining in the restaurant). His Christian business philosophy was wildly espoused in print and in policy, nicknaming his place "The Cafeteria of the Golden Rule." His simple philosophy of "treating others how you would be treated" was the shining light that permeated the cafeteria. Employees were held to this standard even more, service and hospitality were ingrained in them from day one. Clifford would accept no less. In blazing neon signage over the threshold of the front doors the charitable words "Visitor's Welcome" and "Pay what you Wish" lighted your way inside. So not only were you welcomed as family, but if you could not afford to pay-- well that was A-OK too!!
Once entering Clifton's, it was quite literally a sanctuary for all. With its TWO original downtown Los Angeles Disneyland-esque themed locations, a fantasy redwood forest and a tropical Polynesian South Pacific tiki island getaway, you were not only transported to another world, you also entered into the realm of homespun comfort food and were given the opportunity to experience life's quiet reflection. After your meals you could either ascend up to Clifton's castle-like Meditation Chapel or descend down to a basement grotto modeled after the Garden of Gethsemane. Food for the Soul was just as important, if not more, than Food for the Body. For folks of all colors and creeds, you were welcome to remain as long as you wished in this sanctuary type state, you could make new friends, and draw spiritual refreshment for the rest of the day....and you could meet the loveliest Camera Girl of all-- Vilma!
Vilma our favorite Clifton's Camera Girl was a 19 year-old teenager when she began working at Clifton's. Even from this young age, she had already developed a warm heart and caring acceptance towards anyone whom she would meet, just look at that SMILE!! With Clifford's Golden Rule policy, it was a match made in heaven, and it only solidified her fierce independent streak to buck the current trends of prejudice that permeated the era. Once meeting Vilma, you were no longer a stranger, you were considered an instant friend..... Black, White, Yellow, Jewish, Catholic etc. it did not matter. This picture shown above is one of my favorites in my mother's collection. Everyone seems so happy and relaxed, just good people enjoying good food, no racial/ethnic barriers allowed...or else you'll get a good smack down by by Clifford Clinton!
In her diaries Vilma wrote about customers who she made friends with, who returned back to Clifton's just to visit with her, shoot the breeze.... and hope to get a date with her for the evening. We know that as a young girl working in 1950's Clifton's, it was a veritable smorgasbord of young single men. Oh yes, the man selection was overwhelming and Vilma took full advantage of it! Some of the more intriguing parts of her 1954-1955 diaries, is that Vilma often dated men of color, had gay friends and often frequented gay bars with her dates. And we can't forget that in 1952 when her 15 year-old best friend Billie Jean became pregnant out of wedlock by her boyfriend, Vilma refused to abandon her when all others did! They remained best friends their entire lives. (read the rest of my 1952 blog for the full story of the tragic young life of Billie Jean.) Tsk Tsk all of this was sooooo taboo at the time!! But Vilma, a strong Catholic girl, was led by her faith just like Clifford Clinton, she saw everyone as only one thing: a child of God. My mother, (although not a perfect saint herself!) strived through her actions, and left these wonderful lessons to emulate: Smile at everyone, say thank you for everything, see God in everyone you meet, see His surprises in whatever happens....
In her diaries Vilma wrote about customers who she made friends with, who returned back to Clifton's just to visit with her, shoot the breeze.... and hope to get a date with her for the evening. We know that as a young girl working in 1950's Clifton's, it was a veritable smorgasbord of young single men. Oh yes, the man selection was overwhelming and Vilma took full advantage of it! Some of the more intriguing parts of her 1954-1955 diaries, is that Vilma often dated men of color, had gay friends and often frequented gay bars with her dates. And we can't forget that in 1952 when her 15 year-old best friend Billie Jean became pregnant out of wedlock by her boyfriend, Vilma refused to abandon her when all others did! They remained best friends their entire lives. (read the rest of my 1952 blog for the full story of the tragic young life of Billie Jean.) Tsk Tsk all of this was sooooo taboo at the time!! But Vilma, a strong Catholic girl, was led by her faith just like Clifford Clinton, she saw everyone as only one thing: a child of God. My mother, (although not a perfect saint herself!) strived through her actions, and left these wonderful lessons to emulate: Smile at everyone, say thank you for everything, see God in everyone you meet, see His surprises in whatever happens....
The following was published in Clifton's Weekly Newsletter "Food for Thot" on Sept. 27th 1956
"A Place in the Race"
Racial prejudice continues to be a problem and a blot on the face of America. Our basic ideals call for the freedom and equal rights of all men. By not living up to these ideals, we are the same as denying a practical belief in democracy. And in a world where other aggressive ideologies exist, this is a serious and a shameful situation.
In a country like ours, made up of people from many countries, we are mixed bloods and ancestry. This should make us more tolerant. It is time that some of us drop our superiority complexes and work together for the one great race to which we all belong --- the HUMAN RACE.
~ By poetess Esther Baldwin-York
"A Place in the Race"
Racial prejudice continues to be a problem and a blot on the face of America. Our basic ideals call for the freedom and equal rights of all men. By not living up to these ideals, we are the same as denying a practical belief in democracy. And in a world where other aggressive ideologies exist, this is a serious and a shameful situation.
In a country like ours, made up of people from many countries, we are mixed bloods and ancestry. This should make us more tolerant. It is time that some of us drop our superiority complexes and work together for the one great race to which we all belong --- the HUMAN RACE.
~ By poetess Esther Baldwin-York