Traveling While Black: What You Need to Know

[2stepz_ahead]

As I navigated the city, I noticed the local black people looking in my direction. I spent most of my time in a group, but the moment I was alone, the locals started talking. “Who are you?” “Why are you here?” “What is it like to be black in America?” I had a very deep and enlightening conversation with my cab driver, who confirmed that life for black Africans in South Africa was tough. He wanted to know if there was less racism in the U.S. and if I thought things would ever be more equal in Capetown. While recent headlines have pushed America’s continuous struggles with race into the spotlight, my visit to South Africa showed me the progress we have made since my grandparents were born in racially segregated Georgia in the 1930s. Skin color allowed me to have conversations with the locals that I’m sure other travelers would never get to experience.

I hope that everyone has the chance to travel abroad at least once. The experience is sure to change you. For black travelers, I have a few tips from personal experiences. But I’m hoping that all readers will find some inspiration in the following words as well.

Prepare for stares

As the youngest child in my family, I’ve never had an issue with being the center of attention. That is, until I started traveling to different countries. When I went to Vienna, I saw maybe three other black people the entire time I was there. When I attended a fancy event I could feel eyes on me as I navigated the room. After visiting China, I wrote this story about all the attention I received just by walking down the street. While I initially felt uncomfortable, I quickly realized that the stares were coming from curiosity, not distrust or hate. People tend to look at things that are different than what they know, and when you’re a tall black girl walking down the streets of Shanghai alone, you stand out. If you’re traveling, don’t be offended by the stares. Just smile and keep on walking.

 

[2stepz_ahead]

Over and over again, I hear that black people don’t do adventurous things. They don’t skydive, they don’t hike, they don’t snorkel or scuba dive. Nowhere in my “Black Manual” does it say that I can’t live a life filled with thrilling experiences and adventures. If you’re a person who doesn’t like to push the limits by swimming with whale sharks or surfing in Hawaii, then by all means don’t do it. But if you want to have unique experiences, never let your race be the thing that holds you back.

Don’t take it personally

I’ve definitely been asked personal questions about my hair and skin at home and abroad that can catch me off-guard. I’ve even heard stories from black travelers about other people touching their curly hair without asking (my blond friends have the same problem when traveling to Asia or Africa). Obviously, no one likes having strangers in their business, but you can use these interactions as teachable moments. The only way to end ignorance is to talk openly about the things that strike anxiety, fear, or curiosity in others.

You may have noticed that a lot of the activities I mentioned above involve water. Now, the stereotype that black women don’t like to get their hair wet is true, real, and the secret behind a billion-dollar industry. And I’ll admit that the stress of taming my hair after a day in the ocean is not something I look forward to. Nevertheless, I promised myself a long time ago that I would never be a woman who didn’t do something because of my hair. So, braid it (I’ve done it), wrap it (I’ve done it), or get a keratin treatment (my current method), and get on your way. Oh, and bring your own shampoo and conditioner. That stuff in the hotel is not even close to strong enough.

Do it for yourself

You’re going to experience culture shock. You might feel out of place. I guarantee that there will be a time when you survey your surroundings without seeing another face that looks like yours. Embrace it. You’re not traveling to break or fit into any stereotype. The beauty of traveling is realizing the growth and knowledge you gain from trying new experiences and exposing yourself to different cultures. I can say that at the end of each trip, I feel a greater understanding of the world I live in and where I fit in.

I can assure you, feeling the community that comes along with traveling is something that easily transcends race.

 

[Bully_Pulpit]

Thats a dope little piece, I find it ironic that its yahoo though.

 

[Chef_Taylor]

God bless her.

 

[R0mp]

Where have you guys been?

 

[Meta_Conscious]

why are black ppl using the term "race card"? stop that.

 

[2stepz_ahead]

my wife has been telling me for the longest to write some shit like this..

i wont hear the end of it

 

[2stepz_ahead]

traveling while being a black man...is a whole different experience

 

[Knock_Twice]

Good piece...she's right on target

The places I've been have been crazy..when I travel, I sign up and do tours, every country I go too, I try and do a city tour or some type of culture tour to learn about the area, and I kid you not I'm mostly at time, the ppl I travel with are the only black 'young' ppl dude in the group, and ppl be looking (whites) like we are not suppose to be on this tour smh, stay being asked dumb ass question "where are you from, are you guys are on a school trip" and I'm like nah bitch, we vacationing just like YOU, why can't black ppl just be on a regular vacation out the country or wherever, but she's on point about locals, they would touch my girl hair and her friends and cousins hair all the time...touch their skin, I use to be like this is some weird shit, but they at times be shock at what they would see...but she is right on point..

 

[Bully_Pulpit]

Good piece...she's right on target

The places I've been have been crazy..when I travel, I sign up and do tours, every country I go too, I try and do a city tour or some type of culture tour to learn about the area, and I kid you not I'm mostly at time, the ppl I travel with are the only black 'young' ppl dude in the group, and ppl be looking (whites) like we are not suppose to be on this tour smh, stay being asked dumb ass question "where are you from, are you guys are on a school trip" and I'm like nah bitch, we vacationing just like YOU, why can't black ppl just be on a regular vacation out the country or wherever, but she's on point about locals, they would touch my girl hair and her friends and cousins hair all the time...touch their skin, I use to be like this is some weird shit, but they at times be shock at what they would see...but she is right on point..

Cause we majestic

 

[2stepz_ahead]

shit in china i was like a rock star.

i go swarmed on the great and wall and at the terra cotta soldiers.

i was holding babies and huggin chinki hoes.

 

[2stepz_ahead]

but most other places....people think i am up to something, about to steal something or famous.

my wife and I are always the only two blacks people.

and i hate when we see other blacks ...they look at us like WTF you doing here....

 

[Knock_Twice]

Good piece...she's right on target

The places I've been have been crazy..when I travel, I sign up and do tours, every country I go too, I try and do a city tour or some type of culture tour to learn about the area, and I kid you not I'm mostly at time, the ppl I travel with are the only black 'young' ppl dude in the group, and ppl be looking (whites) like we are not suppose to be on this tour smh, stay being asked dumb ass question "where are you from, are you guys are on a school trip" and I'm like nah bitch, we vacationing just like YOU, why can't black ppl just be on a regular vacation out the country or wherever, but she's on point about locals, they would touch my girl hair and her friends and cousins hair all the time...touch their skin, I use to be like this is some weird shit, but they at times be shock at what they would see...but she is right on point..

Cause we majestic

Not to get off topic

I saw a video on where Fred Hampton spoke on this in a sense, saying how ppl would steal our organs and stuff and put the organs in their bodies, this is being done today...

but you'll be surprise at how we are viewed in other countries...

 

[not_osirus_jenkins]

When i make enough cash, im going to arm the poor in south africa with one objective in mind. Kill all the white people and build an empire on their bones.

 

[Knock_Twice]

but most other places....people think i am up to something, about to steal something or famous.

my wife and I are always the only two blacks people.

and i hate when we see other blacks ...they look at us like WTF you doing here....

shit in china i was like a rock star.

i go swarmed on the great and wall and at the terra cotta soldiers.

i was holding babies and huggin chinki hoes.

Folk

I honestly can say I be glad when I see other black ppl vacationing, my ppl and I be trying to hook up with them and shoot the shits/party...

 

[2stepz_ahead]

but most other places....people think i am up to something, about to steal something or famous.

my wife and I are always the only two blacks people.

and i hate when we see other blacks ...they look at us like WTF you doing here....

shit in china i was like a rock star.

i go swarmed on the great and wall and at the terra cotta soldiers.

i was holding babies and huggin chinki hoes.

Folk

I honestly can say I be glad when I see other black ppl vacationing, my ppl and I be trying to hook up with them and shoot the shits/party...

we would love to do that.

most of the time they are not welcoming.

not all the time.

my wife and i joke...maybe they are thinking they dont wanna be held accountable for anything stupid we did or are about to do. so they trying to separate now...lol

i was just always told i have a very sneaky look

 

[S2J]

i dont wanna be that guy, but shyt i kinda am...I dont like the premise. When i travel i bring my ditty bop wit me i dont need to know or change shyt. I like getting those 'who's this confident negro not paying us any mind' stares when i travel.

Some people unknowingly treat bein black like a stigma you gotta prepare both yourself and other people for. Nah, i dont like it.

 

[Bully_Pulpit]

i dont wanna be that guy, but shyt i kinda am...I dont like the premise. When i travel i bring my ditty bop wit me i dont need to know or change shyt. I like getting those 'who's this confident negro not paying us any mind' stares when i travel.

Some people unknowingly treat bein black like a stigma you gotta prepare both yourself and other people for. Nah, i dont like it.

cosign fuck em

 

[S2J]

Reminds me of some people's mindset on the workplace. Im in DC, we out here so im spoiled Lol Fuk a 'white people voice'. Fuk makin people comfortable. Im just doin me.

 

[DrJohnHenrikClarke]

traveling while being a black man...is a whole different experience

Black men stay playing the victim card.