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Abstract

a108">1. Research</h1><p id="cc73">For many, research before departure consists entirely of the best locations for photos, restaurants, and beaches. In contrast, researching for a trip as an African-American woman feels much more daunting.</p><p id="4a06">Before any trip, there is always extensive research. Questions googled may include: safest countries for Black people/women, racism in [insert country here], Black women in [insert country], etc.</p><p id="a679">Even with all this googling, we may still decide to travel to countries that are not considered the safest. Though having this prior knowledge is necessary for our peace of mind.</p><h1 id="2f96">2. Loneliness</h1><p id="8f12">While traveling alone as a woman can be a very scary experience, traveling alone as a black woman maybe even more jarring. We are not seen as the same as other female travelers and are irrationally expected to be more independent and strong. Which, in turn, makes us more vulnerable to those in a society supposedly there to protect us.</p><p id="42ce">We are often taught when traveling to “mind our business” and not involve ourselves with those who aren’t already reaching out to involve us. This can lead to a rather isolating experience, especially when solo traveling. It can be even scarier to put yourself out there when one bad interaction targetted at your race can dampen your emotional and mental health for the rest of the trip.</p><h1 id="4a05">3. The Stares</h1><p id="07b7">Every country is different, but some people have never seen a black person in real life. This can lead to awkward staring and sometimes even more awkward questions for photos. Or even worse uninvited hair touching or shoulder-grazing simply because we seem “exotic”. While this may seem intriguing for those reading this, g

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etting called out and treated like a prop is not fun.</p><p id="ce00">I experienced this personally while traveling in China and staying in a smaller city. I was constantly making eye contact with others who simply wouldn’t look away. I even experienced this from a taxi driver, who wouldn’t stop looking back at me through his rearview mirror as though he couldn’t believe someone who looked like me was in his taxi.</p><h1 id="a73c">4. Unpredictable Situations</h1><p id="668c">As most of you likely now know, interactions with law enforcement at any time anywhere can be deadly for black people. When traveling abroad these same fears carry along with us and can impact what we decide to do and when.</p><p id="539e">Getting drunk and making split-second decisions might sound fun while traveling, but it can be dangerous for Black women. It can also be scary to make decisions to go to places with people whose intentions we do not know. Taking in to account the multitude of dangerous situations one wild night out could lead to, sometimes it’s just not worth the risk.</p><p id="186a">Now, this list may be filled with real experiences I either have had myself or have heard from my fellow Black female travelers, I continue to travel. Seeing as I love it; as do thousands of other Black women who decide to travel every single year. We cannot let the fear of the unknown stop us from exploring all that is out there. I learn something new about myself on every trip I go on, and every time I get home I’m excited to start saving for my next adventure.</p><p id="1721">While we are demanding more racial equality from society and the world, especially right now, we cannot wait around for the world to be equal enough to see it. Traveling demands the here and now, not the someday.</p></article></body>

Traveling While Black

4 Ways Traveling is Harder as a Black Woman.

From the perspective of a Black woman ready to step foot outside the U.S. again.

Although traveling isn’t possible right now, it will be possible again soon as countries begin to lessen their restrictions in regards to COVID-19. At the same time, with Black Lives Matter protests popping up across the nation and around the world; many non-Black people are considering now an “awakening” to the reality of racism today. Let’s be clear — racism has always existed. If you aren’t Black though, you may never have had to think about your race when traveling.

As someone very passionate about travel, I’m constantly having conversations with other frequent travelers about their personal experiences abroad. I’ve noticed over time that the experiences I’ve had over my years of traveling not only aren’t universal, but some experiences are non-existent to my non-Black friends.

With everything going on in our nation right now, it’s important to take time to learn about life experiences different from your own. This includes the reality of being a Black woman abroad.

This list doesn’t mean traveling as a black woman can’t be liberating, healing, and life-changing. It can be all of those things and so much more. However, for many Black women who want to travel, certain fears can’t help but travel with them.

1. Research

For many, research before departure consists entirely of the best locations for photos, restaurants, and beaches. In contrast, researching for a trip as an African-American woman feels much more daunting.

Before any trip, there is always extensive research. Questions googled may include: safest countries for Black people/women, racism in [insert country here], Black women in [insert country], etc.

Even with all this googling, we may still decide to travel to countries that are not considered the safest. Though having this prior knowledge is necessary for our peace of mind.

2. Loneliness

While traveling alone as a woman can be a very scary experience, traveling alone as a black woman maybe even more jarring. We are not seen as the same as other female travelers and are irrationally expected to be more independent and strong. Which, in turn, makes us more vulnerable to those in a society supposedly there to protect us.

We are often taught when traveling to “mind our business” and not involve ourselves with those who aren’t already reaching out to involve us. This can lead to a rather isolating experience, especially when solo traveling. It can be even scarier to put yourself out there when one bad interaction targetted at your race can dampen your emotional and mental health for the rest of the trip.

3. The Stares

Every country is different, but some people have never seen a black person in real life. This can lead to awkward staring and sometimes even more awkward questions for photos. Or even worse uninvited hair touching or shoulder-grazing simply because we seem “exotic”. While this may seem intriguing for those reading this, getting called out and treated like a prop is not fun.

I experienced this personally while traveling in China and staying in a smaller city. I was constantly making eye contact with others who simply wouldn’t look away. I even experienced this from a taxi driver, who wouldn’t stop looking back at me through his rearview mirror as though he couldn’t believe someone who looked like me was in his taxi.

4. Unpredictable Situations

As most of you likely now know, interactions with law enforcement at any time anywhere can be deadly for black people. When traveling abroad these same fears carry along with us and can impact what we decide to do and when.

Getting drunk and making split-second decisions might sound fun while traveling, but it can be dangerous for Black women. It can also be scary to make decisions to go to places with people whose intentions we do not know. Taking in to account the multitude of dangerous situations one wild night out could lead to, sometimes it’s just not worth the risk.

Now, this list may be filled with real experiences I either have had myself or have heard from my fellow Black female travelers, I continue to travel. Seeing as I love it; as do thousands of other Black women who decide to travel every single year. We cannot let the fear of the unknown stop us from exploring all that is out there. I learn something new about myself on every trip I go on, and every time I get home I’m excited to start saving for my next adventure.

While we are demanding more racial equality from society and the world, especially right now, we cannot wait around for the world to be equal enough to see it. Traveling demands the here and now, not the someday.