"We, Native Americans, existed long before Route 66, for a thousand generations": from Tulsa to Santa Fe, meeting the excluded from history

The article reflects on the overlooked history of marginalized communities along Route 66, particularly African Americans and Native Americans. Vanessa Hall Harper highlights the segregation faced by Black communities, which necessitated the Green Book for safe travel. The narrative also includes insights from Robert King, a Choctaw artist, who emphasizes the long-standing existence of Indigenous peoples prior to the highway's establishment. The piece critiques the selective memory surrounding Route 66, urging recognition of its darker historical aspects.