Race and International Travel: Does It Really Matter?
Have you ever felt alone in a crowded room...?
Jack's Mannequin
Wouldn't it be nice to live in a post-racial society? A "color-blind" world? A world where children are judged not by the color of their skin, but the content of their character? (Credit to MLK Jr)
Sure would!
Maybe not a "color-blind world." I don't buy into that narrative (you can read more about that here), but to be judged and viewed by something other than outward appearance? It would be amazing! But the truth of the matter is that we don't live in a world like that. Plain and simple. Unfortunately, we probably never will. The idea that skin color will automatically prescribe you a specific set of qualities and a fixed worth isn't just confined to the idea of "Black" vs "White." Within the constructs of certain races, there are skin hierarchies: pasty white isn't attractive, but tan is. Too black isn't attractive, but to be light-skinned or a "redbone" is what's desirable. If you're Black, you love fried chicken, and are a thug who cannot speak intelligently; if you're White, you're a racist who loves Starbucks and gluten-free diet fads.
Ridiculous, right?
Luckily, we don't have to play along with these stereotypes and ideas. Yes, we can break the mold--but we also need to remember the mold--sometimes just so we're not flabbergasted at some quirky remark, but sometimes for our own safety.
With that being said, let's tackle the question of does it really make a difference whether or not I'm Black and Abroad or not? The answer is a resounding yes. Your skin color can change your entire experience in a foreign country either for better or for worse--or for something entirely different. While traveling in Argentina, it was entirely something else. Getting hit on anywhere between ten and fifteen times a day because I was a Black woman in a country where there were very few made me "exotically beautiful." Not just to men, but to women too. I got many compliments and questions about my hair, which was braided at the time. Folks did double takes as I walked down the streets. It was an experience unlike any other. During both my travels to Argentina and Mexico, people were endlessly curious as to how I learned to speak Spanish fluently because I don't fit the bill as someone who would speak Spanish fluently and translate for her parents who were also Black, but did not speak Spanish.
With my European travels, my Blackness has not made such a drastic difference in my experience, but it's still made an impact. Since I've been in the United Kingdom longer than any of my other travels, it's left plenty of room for homesickness. I'm the only one in the program from my school. I'm one of two Black girls in the program, which means there are just some cultural things and conversations that I'm unable to have unless I'm with another Black person--sort of like when you're taking a class with a particular teacher, and there are some experiences that are difficult to explain unless the other person has taken that class with that exact teacher. I never got the chance to miss home while in Buenos Aires because I was still hyped up on my experiences when it was time to leave. In Cancun, I was with my parents. Thankfully, everyone in my program and all of the locals are awesome, but I still can't help feeling alone in a crowded room every now and again--as cheesy as it sounds, that's probably the most accurate description of how it feels.
It's hard enough to find hair products and make-up for my curly hair and skin tone in the states--and in Scotland, it's nearly impossibly simply because there aren't that many Black folks so many stores don't have the products that this Black folk needs. I nearly had a heart attack when my liquid foundation was almost thrown out when my bag was searched in London. For one, make-up is expensive. Any one would be annoyed about having to replace a ten dollar bottle of foundation that's still more than half full. In addition, there is almost no way I'd have found my skin tone back in Scotland. The shops just don't have a big need for darker skin tones, so most don't carry them.
Not to mention the big-chop itch. It's also been about a year since I cut off most of my hair, and it's grown back nearly to its original length by now. I'd been wanting to grow it out for months, but now that it is getting longer, I've considered cutting it again. But to do that here in the UK, I'd either have to travel an hour to more to one of Scotland's larger cities to find an afro hair stylist--or I could travel six hours by train back to London, where there are far more Black folks and a barber shop, African braiding or afro hair salon on every corner. No exaggeration.
Being any sort of minority and traveling abroad can also put you at some sort of risk depending on where you're going. Not all countries welcome gay couples or families. Not all countries welcome all religions. In some places, it's more dangerous for women to travel alone--it's very unfortunate, but it's how the world is. We don't have to like it, and we don't have to play into the stereotypes, but we shouldn't turn a blind eye to it, or we could be in a world of trouble while traveling the world.
So, yes, race makes a difference with international travel, just as any other factor would play a role in one's experience abroad--and this could be anything, from having a shy personality and having a harder time getting to know the folks you're traveling with to gender or sexual identity. All of these things are major aspects in one's traveling experience. I've seen it firsthand in more ways than one both abroad and in-country. I joke around sometimes and say "is it 'cuz I'm Black?"
But sometimes, the answer to that question--for better, for worse or otherwise--is yes.
All the best,
Reina M
