When I think of Route 66, I think of nostalgic journeys down a historic highway. A recent documentary tells an entirely different story as many could not travel its roads safely especially in Missouri and Illinois.

KHMO-AM 1070, News-Talk-Sports logo
Get our free mobile app

This is a new video share of what I now understand to be a documentary that was initially shared by VICE back in 2016. It looks at the history of Route 66, but not the touristy fun retro lookback you might expect. Not even close. It tells the story of how many people of color could not travel Route 66 without trepidation as many towns along the route would not welcome them.

The documentary begins in California, but eventually makes it to Missouri where over half of the counties had no place where any non-Caucasian people could stay back in the 1940's through the 1960's.

VICE via YouTube
VICE via YouTube
loading...

Many people would have to travel with what was known as "The Green Book" which showed motels that would welcome people of all races. Back in those days, there sadly weren't many.

VICE via YouTube
VICE via YouTube
loading...

The documentary eventually wraps up in Illinois where the original brick segments still remain of what used to be Route 66 in the distant past.

VICE via YouTube
VICE via YouTube
loading...

I tend to be naïve to a fault. I've never judged another person based on the color of their epidermis, but that sadly hasn't been the case for everyone especially those who lived during a different era.

This Vice documentary is worth a watch if only to get another viewpoint on what many of us remember as a nostalgic and wonderful part of our history. Sadly, it was not that way for everyone.

LOOK: Route 66’s quirkiest and most wonderful attractions state by state

Stacker compiled a list of 50 attractions--state by state--to see along the drive, drawing on information from historic sites, news stories, Roadside America, and the National Park Service. Keep reading to discover where travelers can get their kicks on Route 66.