Hi Nicole, first time watching one of your videos; don't know why it was "algorithm-ed", but here we are. As a black American woman married to a native Italian man for 35 years, with 2 adult children, you are spot on. One summer we were with my infant daughter (who looked Italian) at the beach, and other Italians were telling my in-laws how great they were to rescue me from Ethiopia and give me a job watching their granddaughter. When my in-laws corrected that I was American, the whole demeanor changed. It didn't matter to me...that as a black American I was acceptable, but as any other black person...person non grata. That was 30+ years ago, hasn't changed. So, when I read about black American women divested and fawning about going to Italy where they are wanted and loved...a delusional bill of goods...and I have it "easier", as I married into an Italian family. (back story...my husband and I met in the U.S. (23 yrs old), when he was on a NATO assignment.
The Ethiopia thing, lol! Something similar happened to me when I was in Italy, I was called a dirty Ethiopian by some Italians, even though I'm not Ethiopian I'm a black American man from Brooklyn 😂. It looks like those fascist Italian grandfathers successfully passed their historical racism towards Ethiopians and people of African descent to their grandchildren.
@GinaCriv I am a boomer who has been traveling internationally since the 70's. Traveling is an adventure. It's your real experience versus the tourist videos. I've learned being Black American is a plus. I prepare for the type of trip: either as a student, an explorer, or a tourist, and pack accordingly. I read about the history, culture, customs, and current events. I still am tickled when folks find out that I am American and speak 2 languages other than English. Hilarious! Puts swag in my attitude! I have learned that American racism is American but colorism, class, and caste are prevalent. I remind myself to stay cool, think, and plan. If a situation does get dicey stay cool, and then get outta there. I am delighted that more women /POC are traveling. Congratulations on being brave those 35 years ago. You were a pioneer and have shown the way for others. Peace.
I’ve never heard anything good about Spain from a BW, including native Spanish speakers. Only thing I wanna add is that I DO NOT EAT food from “people” who didn’t even want to sell it to you (and make money!).
@@Stephen2727 It happened in Italy, in Rome, Oprah talked about that. It also happened in Switzerland but the racist sales assistant was an Italian woman who was working in Switzerland.
There's a rule I use with restaurants, whether I am traveling or not. If I don't receive service within ten or at most fifteen minutes, I get up and leave! I don't care how highly rated is the restaurant, the service isn't going to get any better from there. It happened to me and my family at a restaurant in Switzerland. We walked in and were ignored for fifteen minutes. I am also a POC so I don't know if it was racially biased or not, but I just said to my family, "let's get the hell outta here" and we never looked back!
Excellent advice. Like you, we don’t push to pay for mistreatment. I enjoyed my holiday in Italy back in ‘93 and was far from fluent in Italian. Sadly, the world’s caste system supports this.
The thing is, in that scenario, I would want to leave so as to not give a single penny to a restaurant that doesn't treat black people well, but I would feel frustrated and also want to stay and MAKE THEM serve because who the HELL are they to make me feel less than? But then again I might not want to eat there as they would probably temper with my food. A good option for someone with money would be to make them serve me, pay, and leave as soon as the plate is on the table and not touch a single thing so as to prove a point. Idk. Being petty is tiring lmao.
Honestly, expected racism is enough for me to not travel someplaces. Does that mean I'll never see the wonders of the world? Yes, but if those wonders are attached to people like the ones you described, maybe they aren't so wonderful after all. Paying money to get the same treatment i get as a black man in the US is something i don't know if i have the tolerance for. Keep doing good work though. Your videos are awesome!!
I am African American and have visited or lived in 27 countries around the world. If you want to avoid racism based on your skin color, you have to visit black nations, but I know most of us think we are too good for those places. I have ran into racism , in the middle east, Europe and Asia, over the past 40 years... The most racist place in Europe is Greece, some places would serve my European American friend but not me.. Italy dont even wast your time, been there over 7 times because of my job, they were just horrible.
I agree fully! Italy has been off my list ever since my friends visited and had less than stellar things to say about it. China is off as well as Spain, Russia, Germany and America...wait I live here. lol ugh!!
@OntheWingsofDoves well said. Personally, I don't think I'm too good for African nations, but I tend to base my want to go somewhere on the interactions I have with the people. Nigeria will never get my money as I have daily interactions with abrasive men and women in tech who straight up believe american black folks are bottom of the barrel and have no problem mentioning it as soon as they find out my dad is carribean. On the contrary, I've only ever met the nicest people from Burkina Faso, Ghana and Kenya so I would love to visit those countries soon.
Thank you so much for your honest and cautionary assessment. I have experienced this first hand many times as a Black woman who looks white married to a Black man. We enjoy travel very much, but have found Italy, Greece, France, and Denmark - yes, even Denmark - to be very racist. The Netherlands and the UK have consistently felt more welcoming. It is important for People of Color to be aware of the rising tide of fascism and xenophobia globally. Please be diligent in doing your research before you travel. Take a deep dive into the past and current political climate in each country before travel. Be on your guard. Sadly, this strategy is not at all unfamiliar to People of Color in the USA. Many of the most troubling experiences arise from those subtle slights and comments in the native language that the offenders assume will not be understood. Having said all that, do not let anyone steal your joy in traveling this beautiful world that God created for all of us to enjoy! 🌎🌍🌏 Please Keep Encouraged and Keep Speaking Truth! Many Blessings to You All! ❤🙏🏼🌿
YES! I 'd give 1000 "thumbs up" to your comments on being politically aware of the country's history you plan to visit. For your information, I've read that Denmark intends to deport many of its foreign migrants. I've heard unpleasant things about Greece for some time, especially since the rise of Golden Dawn. I was last in Italy and France back in 1974, but France wasn't that bad, and Italy wasn't either. In fact, the Italian men would flirt with you and say things like, "Che bella, signorina (remember, 1974)", "Bella, bella bellissima", and even, "I want to get married!". I've read that a lot has changed. Much of it may have to do with the migration crisis from Africa as well as the popular rise of Fascism and right-wing politics. Also, I understand that a lot of the racist propaganda is also transmitted via social media from sources as varied as Russia (Putin sends a lot of propaganda to sow chaos and disunity in the West) or even the United States. Since the generations who lived as adults and older teenagers in cities smashed by a world war, through foreign occupation by the Nazis as well as homegrown Fascist oppression are no longer with us, fewer people are around who can recount those stories of how awful it really was. People also forget those stories, and sadly, too many far-right-wing types would consider much of that era their "glory days".
I'd heard that about Spain. A friend travelled there and said it was unbelievable how rude and racist the people were, and yes she could speak Spanish. She said she ended up spending the last couple of days of her stay basically holed up in her hotel room, afraid to go out. Miss me with that bull, if I want to experience racism, I can stay right here in the USA.
Before you even said it, I knew the worst would be Italy. Because, same sis. I was there for 2 weeks. The stares. The treatment in stores. I remember exactly how I felt. It wasn’t like this everywhere in Italy. But it was enough for me to feel uncomfortable.
I had a similar experience in Barcelona when I visited in 2013. I vowed never to return. I got followed in a grocery store (by a South Asian clerk, mind you); some teen boys shouted epithets at me from across the street while laughing. When I went to buy my dad a football jersey, the shopkeeper waved me off and completely ignored me. I also attempted to speak to him in Spanish. I thought it was a language barrier, until some tall white guys walked in and the same shopkeeper stopped what he was doing to tend to them in English. I was only there for 3 days, but that was some of the most blatant racism I had ever experienced. My cousin did a semester abroad there and said she had the similar experiences. But I will say this: I did meet a nice flamenco dancer man, pushing his child in a stroller, who was nice enough to help me find the zoo. And there was also some nice waiters at a cafe, where I ordered tapas and sangria. They convinced me to try some baby octopus, which turned out to be delicious! So it wasn't EVERYONE was rude and racist, but I had enough experiences there to make me feel unsafe to a point where I wouldn't feel comfortable going back, especially not alone.
Thanks for the info. I had given some thought to pursuing a masters degree in Spain, but I wasn't sure about how POC are treated. Perhaps it's not all of Spain, but I've dealt with enough racism in the U.S. no patience for it in other countries.
Octopus is delicious & I wish everyone wouldn't assume. I've been all over the world & there is always good people everywhere. Even Valaida Snow encountered kind Nazis in Nazi Germany! However, if the majority of situations you encounter are negative & if people who are nice really would not be able to help you if an event happened, you need to be wary. Also, our government's ability to help Americans abroad is almost nil. I wouldn't travel now. Sorry
From this video, others i have seen and my experience with people from these countries: France, spain, italy, israel, austria, india, china, korea, poland, ukraine, lithuania, romania, Hungary. Dont waste your money in these backwards countries where you will be treated like trash or your life will be at risk just for being black and existing. Sadly i think we might need to add america to the list soon. The caribbean is gorgeous and welcoming. Black Americans, im sure you will be welcome all over the Caribbean, esp in beautiful Jamaica 🇯🇲❤️😊😊
Of those countries you listed above, I recently visited Austria in 2018, and I was in Poland in 2000 on a guided tour. My mom and I had no problems in Poland. We also visited Auschwitz while we were there as it was covered by the tour. In 2018 I travelled to Vienna alone to attend two of the grand waltz balls held in that city. They are UNESCO World Heritage events, and I had been taking private Viennese Waltz lessons on my own for a year before going over. I had the time of my life, and I really did dance until dawn. I had my partner for both balls I attended, the Ärzteball (Medical Professional's Ball) and the Jägerball (Hunter's Ball, at which I wore a long Dirndl and the men word Steirische suits; Trachten was the dress code). My partner was a teacher in the Vienna school system who had an interest in the "hippie culture" of the 1960's, and since I was a retired teacher from the West Coast of America who had lived through that era as a college student, we hit it off beautifully. Politically, he was a member of the SPÖ (Socialist), and he told me so as he placed the red carnation in the lapel of his tuxedo. That red flower came in handy during Viennese Waltz as an item to spot upon to keep from getting dizzy. He also asked questions about Trump whom he thought was crazy.
I have traveled to Spain many times and am considering moving to Malaga if I feel threatened in America. Italy was always fun until I went there in 2018. I think the immigration of Africans has caused a perception change in Italy. In 2018, Italians were no longer cordial, sometimes even hostile. I experienced the worst racism in Versailles and Argentina. The problem is that right-wing politics is proliferating worldwide. Some people get angry when they are working minimum-wage jobs, and successful people of color seem to have what they think should be rightfully theirs because their skin is white.
As a black man who was born in Italy and grew up in Italy in the 1980s and in the 1990s I can assure you that in Italy there was a lot of racism against black people even before 2018.
@@marceltresvant8581 thank you for sharing your experience. It lets me know that I was extremely lucky before 2018. I was in Naples, The Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento last month without a problem, but I am sure living is different from spending a short time in tourist areas.
@novice024 Exactly, it also depends on which zone of Italy you go, if you're a black person and you visit a zone of Italy where there are a lot of nostalgics of Mussolini and fascism then you can have problems as fascist Italians are historically extremely racist towards black people.
I’ve never been to Italy, because when I moved to England for grad school, an Italian girl told me point-blank to not visit her country, because she would be worried about my safety if I did. Thanks to her I’ve never set foot in there , even though I speak pretty good Italian. She’s a real one for letting me know 😂❤.
Can I just say that I think you're missing out? I am Italian from a small town in the North East btw. It obviously depends on where you go, where I live average age is like 80yo (joking, but not too much lol) so I admit that old people may stare at you...and in big cities some neighborhoods are definitely unsafe especially at night...but no worse than other countries I think. Hope you can change your mind and come at least for a short visit!
@@danyf.1442 I believe @osimiri7111 is worried about their safety for being a person of color based on how this Italian acquaintance warned them in the past--not that they're worried about their safety because they might wind up in a "bad neighborhood."
@@stripedpolkadots8692 I understand, it may come across as very bleak but unfortunately it's undeniable that especially in big cities, anywhere in the world, there are neighborhoods that are best avoided after dark. That's what I meant anyways, hope it's clear.
There are at least 53 countries in Africa and 26 countries in the Caribbean; almost all are black. Stick black countries. I love being black and love my people.😊
Many people think that African countries and the Caribbean are panaceas for melanin people, but most are not. You see the same bigotry there, as well. Even Obama, who is half Kenyan talked about going to a restaurant in Kenya with his half sister (who is Kenyan) and being ignored (during the 90s). He and his sister were the last to be served, while non melanin people were treated like kings. That is what you will find in the Caribbean and in many African countries. You will constantly encounter trashy non melanin European people being treated like royalty by the locals and it's unnerving, especially when in melanin rich countries...
Fiji, New Guinea, Guyana, Namibia, Ethiopia, Mali, Dominica, Cape Verde. All beautiful tourist countries i rarely or never hear blacks people talk about
@@ariellehayden4172 Me too, Italy was the only European country that had laws that prohibited unions and marriages between blacks and whites, think about that.
@@emilyjones4736No, I'm sorry to disappoint you Benita, but most of the immigrants in Italy are not Africans but people from Eastern European countries and Asian countries, Africans make just the smallest part of the immigrants in Italy, I know it because I was born and bred in Italy. I'm sorry to disappoint you Benita, but it is what it is.
My wife is a beautiful African goddess. As we were leaving a store, the 'security' guy asked her to open her purse He soon found out my wife wasn't the one he should have been concerned about
My 11yo son was stopped by a security guard in Europe as we were leaving a big box tech store... What should I accuse the security guy of since we were all White? He is a White Prince, I suppose, so what will it be?
@kevinadams9468 There's always whataboutisms. And there's always folks that stick their heads in the sand and who can't believe in other people's experience. These are the folks without empathy.
FACTS!!! I was in Spain & Italy in May & it was disgusting! A man hit with his car in Amalfi on the tight vendor street! It was unreal. I had been in Italy in 2007 & it was lovely. So sad how things have changed. I will never go back
When I traveled to Singapore, the amount of people trying to take pics of me and my friend was astounding. One girl tried to sneak a pic by acting like she was taking a selfie, so I turned around. I saw another lady staring at me for awhile, she finally came over and introduced herself. We chatted for a bit and she told me she was visiting from Indonesia and had never seen a Black person, in person before. We had a nice conversation and she was about to leave and asked me for a pic. I told her we had to take the pic together. She took one on her phone and I took one on mine. I’ve been to Spain and Italy a few times and never had issues there. Except in Madrid, a guy from African descent was nasty towards me but 🤷🏾♀️ When I was in South Korea, no one spoke to me, tried to take a pic of me or even acted like existed. With the exception of the train, most of them wouldn’t sit next to me. Which honestly was perfectly fine. The few times that someone sat next to me were young children. Also, when I was in certain stores they would try and get in front of me in line. I would just step right in front of them without allowing extra space so they knew to back TF up. I don’t care about being ignored, I like traveling solo so I don’t have to be bothered. But what I will not tolerate is disrespect.
I had nothing but positive experiences when I was in Singapore, but this was before cell phones back in the early 1990's. I traveled on the subway, buses and taxis without any problems. About the only thing that made me a little mad was because I am Black and taller than most avg height people many assumed I was a basketball player. But this happened more when I travel to the non tourist parts of the Philippines. But either way I still felt safer in those countries then I did in the USA. At most the only thing I had to worry about was being pick pocketed.
That was probably initiated after Hitler's visit in 1938 when Italy became allied with Germany. Those laws may have regarded Jews as a primary target, however. There may have been a few Ethiopians and other Africans in the country who were also affected as non-Aryans, but they weren't deported for extermination. I'd like to suggest a 1972 movie that touches upon this change in status for targeted populations in Italy during those times. It's called, "The Garden of the Finzi-Continis", and it primarilly deals with the targeting of Italian Jews in Ferrara, and their decline in social status to deportees heading for the death camps.
@thegoddessdiana9185 The racial laws towards those blacks who lived in the Italian colonies in Africa were made in 1937 and Hitler had nothing ti do with that. The laws against Jews came later on.
@thegoddessdiana9185 The racial laws against those black people who lived in the Italian colonies in Africa were made in 1937 and Hitler had nothing to do with that, the laws against Jews were done later on. You're referring to the laws against Jews but that's just another story.
@thegoddessdiana9185 I was talking about those racist laws that Mussolini made towards the black population who lived in the Italian colonies in Africa, those laws were made in 1937 before the laws towards Jews and Hitler had absolutely nothing to do with that. You're referring to the laws towards Jews people but that's just another story and it's not related to this topic as the girl in the video is black not Jew and she's talking about the racism that she faced in Italy as a black girl.
@@thegoddessdiana9185 I was talking about the racial segregationist laws towards the black population of the Italian colonies in Africa that were made in 1937, not about the racial laws towards Jews. Those laws were made before the laws towards Jews, and Hitler had nothing to do with that. P. S. I don't know if you can read my reply as for some weird reason RUclips has deleted all my answers.
I went on a last minute trip to Rome with a best friend. It was truly an experience 😂 a lady got on the elevator with us, saw us became frightened. Squeezed her bag to her chest and cowered in the elevator corner by the buttons. We also went to Pompeii and ate at a pizza restaurant in the small town nearby. My friend and I were the only ppl in the restaurant... Our food took an hour. Two European men and a group of white + non-black Latina women came in after us and ate before us. Also we sat outside and EVERY SINGLE person walking by us just stared at us including the kids. They kept walking and their heads were still still turned back staring at us. We eventually left walked to the train station saw painted graffiti on an electrical box saying "Negri brutti" with a neo-nazi symbol between the words (we had to Google the symbol). We got the HELL up outta there 😂😭 Honestly idk if I'll go back. That was enough for a week😂😂
100% I thought it was in my head but Madrid was one of the WORST experiences I had for racism as an Indian American…I swore I would never step foot in that city again
I loved Madrid, I'm biracial, and most people think I'm white. I fit right on in while living in Spain, although there aren't many black folks in Spain, I was probably the only thing that came close the whole time I was there.
I use to do security at a Black church in NY - Every Sunday international tourist would flock to the service to see the choir perform, the comments I would hear after they left were wild, they thought I did not know how to speak the language, they would low key diss the church expecting a minstrel gospel show with people flying through the air - lol, like the one you see in a commercial. Most of them were Rude - Disrespectful and walked Harlem as if it was their right to be seen and heard. Many times I had to put them in check with a quickness, to them it was a show not a place of wordship.
Our visit to Rome was quite an experience. The stares and expressions on their faces told us all we needed to know. We felt so unwelcome. Conversely, we had a great time in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
I had two separate group of friends experience that in India and Argentina. In India it was REALLY bad as they’d come stand beside my friend as if she was a prop or statue and take the picture without asking.
My friends sister went to China & she said she had to beat someone with her purse. Also, someone I know went to China & entire buses of people would take photos & people would follow them. This video is 💯 fax.
@@christineinchrist7407 lol this happens in China as well. One minute you're looking at a monument, a Chinese person stands next to you with a big smile or funny expression on their face. Then a flash or click of a camera and they disappear. It's absolutely crazy...
Thank you so much for this video, I thought I was being paranoid after my disastrous experiences in Spain and Italy ! I went to Spain three times but never again, I stupidly thought that Barcelona, being a big city, people would be used to diversity and be more open minded but not at all. The stares, the shop assistants ignoring you, and on the last day of one of the trips my suitcase was stolen at the airport so I went to security and as I was talking to them they all make eye contact with my friend and completely dismissed me. Same in Italy, rude waiters, people staring at you as if you're the first black person they've ever see. That's a pity because I must say those are beautiful countries with rich cultures but the behaviour ruins everything..
Even my Mexican friend had a horrible experience in Spain. She said them people that colonized her ancestors treated her like a second class citizen. They didn’t care that she was speaking Spanish.
I've heard of many stories from Latin American people that they are not treated well in Spain, even if they spoke the same language. Many people migrate to Spain (from Lat Am countries = former Spain-colonized countries) because they can be eligible for Spanish citizenship after 2 years of residency. As such, they are treated as "poor migrants". It also depends on their phenotype. If they look more white-passing, they get treated better than if they looked more brown (indigenous abd/or Afro Latino).
Thank you so much for being very transparent about your experience. As some of us of darker melanated , skin tone would like to hear, honest feedback from other people‘s experiences. I do understand we all are individual, but this does help me in my travels abroad. And I thought it was just me. I have experienced the same in Italy and Spain as well. You have just gained a new subscriber off of your honesty and transparency alone.
Also want to point out that the degree of racism you could experience seems to directly correlate with your skin color. In America if you have a light-medium to redbone complexion you'll be clocked as Black no questions. But I found that in Europe (and in Mexico, South America) those complexions make you racially ambiguous. And in Europe especially, you're perceived as mixed race. So how people approach you will be different than if you have dark skin, which many unexposed folks perceive your origin as being directly from Africa and imbue you with the malice of immigration rhetoric. There are definitely layers to the racism overseas. And just like in the US, people's perception and reaction to your Blackness is commingled with other perceptions like physicality, gender expression, perceived sexuality, nationality - some of which can serve as mitigating factors to anti-Blackness. Sometimes the funniest thing is seeing that look on someone's face while they try to reconcile the multiple, seemingly contradictory identities you exude. 😅 Like Miss ma'am, I know you tryna figure out what I'm giving, but I just want my croissant and espresso so I can pump.
I have mixed nieces and a nephew who are Spanish nationals born and bred in Spain and they have had some awful experiences growing up in Spain. The Spaniards typically do not like those from the Spanish speaking colonies and see them as second class citizens.
I don’t even think it’s just skin color. Because Meghan Milan seems to have a good time everywhere she goes. But she is a model. And I fully believe that because she is so beautiful she doesn’t have bad experiences. But like most people traveling are never going to look like a top model like her.
I don’t even think it’s just skin color. Because Meghan Milan seems to have a good time everywhere she goes. But she is a model. And I fully believe that because she is so beautiful she doesn’t have bad experiences. But like most people traveling are never going to look like a top model like her.
Beautiful black woman. Wow. I can confirm everything she is saying is true. These are 3 of the top hyper racist countries towards black people. I actually speak Spanish, Chinese and Italian (I'm a polyglot and love languages and traveling) and I lived in all 3 of those countries. They see black people as sub human. It's just the truth
I live in Spain and it is true, racism is part of their culture. I am of North African descent (Moroccan) and spaniards have a particular disdain for my people. In fact I think they hate everyone, my South American husband is not treated any better. They treat northern Europeans slightly better, because they feel lesser than them. Sometimes I even feel like they hate themselves because they're all day walking around with a stank face.
Yes, I’m Spain there is a lot of racism towards Latin Americans, North Africans, Middle Eastern people, south Asians and there is some racism towards east and south-east Asians as well, I also get the impression that a lot of Spaniards feel lesser than north or west Europeans
Very important for black travellers to know these things, so thank you. I sometimes wish someone who is a black Italian would make a video about their experience as well. Similar for a born black Chinese/Spanish person.
Kai Wright's NPR show "Notes on America" had an ep back in 2020 about Black Italians fighting for citizenship. Not exactly a travel story, but still had ppl living the experience sharing what it's like. They also were affiliated with a site that doesn't seem to be active anymore called Afroitalian Souls.
@@ElisaMinadio-mr7puhi. Do you know of Mario Balotelli, the black football (soccer) player? He was adopted by a white Italian family, hence his surname. He's said that he experienced racism growing up. Then as a football player, he's been jeered at during games. I've also heard of other black football players being treated differently by their (Italian) clubs or fans. So your experience may be more of an exception, not the norm. I've also heard of other black (American) tourists being treated badly in Italy. Sometimes, when they hear the American accent, then they change attitude (the tourist gets treated better). They treat the people worse if they're Africans (from Africa) - but I know that it's related to migration/ illegal migrants & it's also a political issue.
@@kitty_s23456 Hi, yes I know of Mario Balotelli, he is popular in Italy but unfortunately a lot of the soccer players experience racism, there was a incident when another italian black player by the name of Kalidou Koulibaly, while playing in napoli (naples italy) some of the fans where making monkey noises at him. And I agree with you if you are black american or African descent from Africa you will be treated differently, they are trying to put a limit on how many illegal immigrants can enter Italy but that's another story. It also depends on what part of Italy you visit, Italy is very different and Everyone has a different experience when coming to italy but racism is one thing I never understood. I hope it gets better.
@@kitty_s23456The anti-African sentiments in Italy go back to the long ugly racist history that Italy has with Ethiopia, those sentiments were particulary strong during Mussolini's fascist era and they still exist today in a big part of the Italian society, I can tell you this because I was born and bred in Italy.
It's very disheartening when stuff like that happens. Not trying to be funny but it's like when a kid finds out there's no Santa Clause. It pretty depressing. To answer your question, yes, Japan, the Japanese people were alright, but I did get watched a lot by police, train conductors, etc. They thought I was a poor Thai or Filipino immigrant. But it wasn't nearly as bad as the example you gave in this video. My experience in France was great. I actually didn’t run into it in Spain. Or maybe I was too young and focused on other things.
The people in Rome have a quick mindset. What I would imagine New York to be like (rude, short tempered) but service was trash! I heard Napoli might be better.
In North America and other parts of the Western world, psychological operations through media have played a significant role in perpetuating harmful narratives about individuals of African descent, particularly those with darker phenotypes. These portrayals often normalize the dehumanization of African people, contributing to a systemic and insidious form of cultural violence. Media industries, through meticulously crafted imagery and storytelling, disseminate negative stereotypes on a global scale, reinforcing biases and perpetuating discriminatory attitudes. This phenomenon constitutes a psychological war against the self-perception and societal perception of dark-phenotype Africans. The implications of such narratives are profound, as they shape public consciousness and influence behaviors, often to the detriment of African-descended communities. To address this issue, it is imperative to introduce accountability measures within the media industry. One potential solution involves implementing labeling systems for films, television shows, and other media content that utilize dehumanizing stereotypes or portrayals. These labels would serve to inform audiences and raise awareness about the content's potential to perpetuate harmful biases. By doing so, this measure could act as a deterrent against the dissemination of negative imagery and contribute to fostering a more equitable and respectful representation of African-descended individuals.
The sad part is this nefarious, intentional and calculated practice perpetuated by the media is an agenda and the majority of the public are just casualties of this psychological warfare but fail to recognize it.
Thanks the media.They spread all these stereotypes about Black people all over the world.They do not tell their people how they colonize Africa and other continents.
I had the most fun in Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Cyprus. Least fun: Poland, Italy, Greece. I am a black man who has traveled to 40 countries and presently residing outside the USA.
I’m so sorry to hear about your experience in Madrid. Black American woman here who lived there for over a year and I found it diverse cosmopolitan and such a fun place. But recognize that was just my experience. I do warn people more about the smaller towns which is where I experienced racism. I do warn black travelers to always be on the lookout- western world power means racism can find you anywhere. Like for me - I would not recommend North Africa countries to Black women at least if you’re traveling alone. But sounds like you had a good time there. However I will say for Spain I never feared for my life as a black person the way I often do in the US.
I'm black American and lived in Madrid. You couldn't pay me to ever step foot in that God awful place. The anti-blackness was the most blatant that I have ever experienced.
Europe, the full continent, it is still very racists. (Nicole, for first time I am happy with my algorithm suggestions which brought me here. Your content is very useful).
I appreciate your "lived experience" share compared to videos that just speak from what they've read or heard. With that said, I've never been to Spain, but I have traveled through Italy alone and with others multiple times from the mid-90s to 2005. I always had a wonderful time and was well-received. But that was then, and Italy, like much of Europe, has had a huge uptick in far-right anti-everybody movements since 2008. Regarding China - I lived there for almost 6 years. Never had a problem. Again, that was from 2011-2017. I would encourage folk to be open-minded about their travel choices - go where you feel a connection or a genuine interest in the culture. We shouldn't allow fear to dictate where we go - this is our world, too.
I visited Madrid and a few neighboring cities in 2008 when I was 17. I had a good time overall, but I do remember being stared at like I was some kind of alien. Even in bathrooms I remember being stared at. I wanted to visit Barcelona but that desire has since died. I believe you 100% on all accounts! As much as I would like to visit Italy, I don’t think so.
I agree with you. I've traveled to Madrid, Granada and Malaga, Spain. I also had a brief stay on Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands of Spain. However, only in Malaga was I stared at like I was an alien. I don't care to visit Spain again.
I went to a few countries in May/June of which Italy and Spain were 2 of them. Spain had always been on my bucket list. The rudest people I have ever met in my life were in those countries. The tour guide companies we used were fantastic, but I'm definitely glad we were escorted around because I'd have felt incredibly uncomfortable being on our own. I have absolutely no desire to return to either country.
In every European country I have visited, I have had a racist experience as a black woman (and I am a slim and not so bad looking). All European countries are pretty much racist.
I'm so sorry about your experience in Italy. What part did you go to? I went to Rome, Positano, Venice, and Almafi Coast. I'm a black woman and had a wonderful time there! The men were very flirtatious and kind and the women gave me compliments. The restaurants were attentive and service was great. I didn't get treated poorly at all so i'm so sorry to hear about your poor experience. We were supposed to go to Spain but did not because I heard they were treating illegal immigrants poorly at the time. I also had a friend who had a racist experience in Barcelona. So much hate in the world we have to be prepared for when we travel anywhere today. I'm from the US and I've had better experiences outside my country. I refuse to put up with racism though. I just won't patronize a place that treats me poorly.
I have an online Italian friend. He said it depends on what part of Italy a black American goes to. Apparently Southern Italy is not recommended due to their prejudice ways. But Northern Italy is okay. I wouldn't know for sure, as I have yet to go, but this is per my friend's recommendation.
That was my experience. In positano, the Nona’s kept stoping to tell me I was beautiful. And the men were flirty too. Same as Rome, Venice and Florence.
I experienced prejudice in Spain. I no longer spend my money anywhere in the world where I am not respected. The world has become extremely small for me and I am ok with that 😊
The only place I feel like I experienced racism was Portugal. I just didn’t have a great experience there and people looked at me funny. I’ve been in Italy and Spain but not long enough and I’m not in a rush to go back. I liked Switzerland and the Netherlands the most. People are indifferent in those countries and just mins their business which I’m fine with
Glad to find your channel. New subscriber here. Just returned from Spain for two months, and got to visit 4 different cities. While up I didn’t care for Barcelona, I loved Valencia and Alicante. I attended a meditation retreat and a yoga retreat. In general I was not really feeling “welcomed” overall as a a black woman. But in many places people were patient (with my intermediate Spanish) and helpful. As an older looking woman, I didn’t feel too much of the male gaze but I did love my time with other expats and international visitors. I plan to return and Italy is also on my list. Thanks for the warning. ❤😊
I remember reading your story in an article years ago. You were a student at NY University, I think (I'm from NYC and went to school there too). I had no idea it was you until you started describing every detail about your experiences in Italy that I knew it was you from that article. My heart broke for you then and still does now. I am very sorry you had to go through these experiences, which can be quite traumatic. I also had a similar experience traveling to a latin country a few years ago but prefer not to say which, just that it was a bit disappointing in terms of racism (in the non-tourist areas) because the country itself was very beautiful.
@1:00 She should have left the restaurant. If they feel that way about you you don't want them anywhere near your food or drinks, they also don't deserve your patronage.
I’m a black woman and have visited Madrid twice as a solo traveler. I did not experience any racism. The people were very nice, super helpful and I felt extremely welcomed.
Yea I've been to Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville and didn't have any negative experiences. We got some stares in Barcelona but that's probably the extent of it, overall generally good interactions. Also in Italy, I felt like the people were just generally rude mainly in Rome. I didn't get the feeling it was because I was black. 🤷🏽♀️ The northern cities people were much nicer. But everyone has different experiences.
I only had one bad experience in Madrid at a restaurant, but everywhere else people were so nice! I loved Madrid, but it sad that this happened to her.
Me and the group I traveled with to Italy in May of this year experienced racism too. It was a couple who had a truck at the Vatican who was selling gelato and didn't want to service us. That experience didn't stop us from having a great time while we were there!
I felt very uncomfortable in China..the stares and people talking pictures. I remember one time I was standing outside in a shopping center and a group of school kids walked by in a line pointing at me, telling thier friends too look my way, they were laughing like they were in ahh to see a person like me. I felt like a zoo animal or alien. I would never go back to China But I didn't have that experience in Japan.
😮 I hate these things happen to travelers but I really thank you for giving the information so we can always look out for I just became a new subscriber today🎉
I don't know about Spain and China, but I did hear of them. I have been to Barcelona Spain, I didn't experience such thing, not to take away your own experience. But Rome Italy, you are 💯 right.
This is shocking 😢 I am so sorry you had this happened to you…. The woman screaming at you for no reason, a man throwing a beer bottle and harassing your friend, people refusing to tell you directions…. This is wild!!!! I didn’t think it would be possible in 21 century but here we are ….
Yeah, I actually stopped talking to a Sicilian girl I knew for a long time because she said "her country had an influx of Africans" and she didn't want them in Italy. She had a child with a man who was part Black and previously used to tell me that Sicilians are part Black, so this was confounding. Italy tried and failed to colonize Ethiopia, so they are the same as the others.
Don’t get me started on Italy. Every store I went into, there was a qwhite person telling me they wanted help to find sizes. They were not ASKING if I worked there, they all automatically assumed that I could only be the help. Then they quick to say they are not racisA.
A friend of mine tried to travel all through Europe. She said she felt the safest in France,and ended her itinerary there because of the poor treatment she got in Italy,Romania and Germany.
Thank you for that Video. I really apprechiate your take. Now it would be really exciting to have a video about the top 10 most welcoming and popular spots for people of african descent. Cause everybody deserves to feel welcome somewhere ;)
A friend and I just got back from Copenhagen, Denmark and the entire 4 days there we could count on 1 hand how many Blk/POC we saw. The last restaurant we ate at, we were the only POc and waited almost 30 minutes to be served. I’m more white/latin presenting and my friend is light skin but clearly black with twists and she felt the energy. This was the only instance we felt racism in CPH.
I wonder if they thought you were Syrian or Iraqui. There has been a lot of backlash against all the Syrian refugees many countries in Europe took in, so my guess is that racism is more rampant.
You’re my new Green Book! I’ve had issues in Italy and Hong Kong on work trips. As a 1st Gen American from Kenya, even Kenya is problematic. Because I am usually with family we do not get served in a timely fashion at restaurants unless we are with white people.
You are right! I’ve traveled extensively all over Spain and Italy and I’m fluent in both. Natives do not hold back on their negativity. It feels as if they’re hostile towards our wealth and liberty to travel in their country.
Funny thing, my experience with Italian racist, fascist was a native Italian man with a work visa visiting America 🇺🇸. He sold prom clothes for prom season in a local Los Angeles fashion mall. My teen daughter who happens to be a very light skin biracial girl walks in with me to look at his prom dresses 👗. Immediately, we hear 👂🏾 ratchet rap music 🎶 coming from the store speakers 🔊 with the ‘N’ and ‘B’ word repetitively used over and over. I politely asked this Italian merchant to change the music because it is offensive and this is a family mall with children visiting the store. He told me people here liked his music. (I could imagine someone telling him to play ratchet music believing only a certain demographic will visit his store)😩 I replied with, “This is NOT ALL of American culture.” He eventually changed the music to pop music. 🤔 At this moment my daughter was already in the dressing room and I wanted her experience to be a smooth easy ride. In my head, I already knew we were not going to spend one copper penny in this store.😂 However, while my daughter was trying on dresses I managed to make small talk with this foreign merchant. I mentioned a future trip to Europe and he unabashedly stated I would not be received well in Italy because I was black, however, they would allow my daughter because of her mixed heritage. I chuckled, 😂and my immediate response was…I am…THE MOTHER of ALL of youzzz …AND because of that FACT, I can go anywhere in the world and call it home. I continued…Oh, and by the way…my DNA 🧬 is running throughout your veins. After that revelation, he was VERY QUIET and humble. That being said, we casually walked out without spending one copper penny. We enjoyed the rest of our mother/daughter outing. ❤💅🏾
My cousin is black and LOVES Spain. She has lived there for a year already and wants to apply for citizenship. Maybe it depends where you are? But also- Spain has been hostile towards tourism in general. In any case, I am sorry you and others have had really unpleasant racist experiences. They’re is simply no excuse for that.
Wow, didn’t know that about Italy. I went hoping through Italy about 14 years ago and loved it. I was with 2 other AA young women. We got ”Ciao Bella”s and dinner paid for our group. I left thinking Italians loved black women. We went to Florence, Venice and Rome. A quick lunch in Milan on the way to somewhere else. Maybe there has been a shift or certain areas are worse than others.
This is more of what I've heard about Italy^ Black women getting treated well and the Black men and footballers... well that's a different story. Like she said tho, prob has sth to do with how long you're there, too. Tuscany is still on my bucket list
I had good and bad experiences. I travelled all over and it was only in certain places that I experienced racism, but definitely not the whole country.
Facism has a firm grip in so many nations again in the west. And so when folks say that in recent years things seem worse pertaining to anti blackness, it makes sense, sadly
I had the worst experience in Italy too. No amount of gelato can get me to go back. Florence was ok but Rome and Venice were nightmares. Spain I had a lot of micro aggressions but I won’t go back there either.
Thank you for making this video. Way too many youtubers and shows on TV make certain places like Italy out to be some great place everybody needs to visit and they don't tell you it's only if you are white. The white people that go, talk about it as if the extreme racism does not exist because it didn't affect them. That says a lot about them and society as a whole!
South Americans can be pretty racist as well. So my skin is pretty white or olive rather so I’ve never experienced anything like this while traveling. Only once with my spouse in NYC (his skin color is brown as he’s from DR). But we New Yorkers! I was so mad though for both of us, as it was a first for me. But sadly he said he was use to this. But anyway some of my cousin’s in Ecuador would talk about the black people who could rob them. Things like this. It was annoying and I would try to explain to them that’s not right and ignorant. But they didn’t listen or get it and laugh and see me an ignorant gringa. Some of my distant cousins were soooo racist and wasn’t apologetic about it. But to be clear it wasn’t just family! A friend made some really f-up comments about a worker who was also their good friend, he was “moreno”. Since we were talking (having a nice conversation), the white (Ecuadorian) friend said something like oh you are trying to better your race and laughed at his friend’s face. The worker / friend was so angry and embarrassed. I yelled at the stupid ignorant friend. He was such a hole for saying that! But he just laughed, cuz he didn’t get it. Gunther was a sweet kind friend. How dare he say that about a friend and now my friend! Prob too Javi was jealous. 🙄 The only thing that was said to me by the men, I was a feminist and we were easy because gringa’s are easy 🙄. But I can’t lie, I did have a good time. Oh and my grandmother didn’t like my bf at the time, cuz he was too “moreno”, I married him 😂… I married the best person too! My abuela had bad taste in men anyway 😂 . Best -sorry so long, I’m kind of old though 👵🏼.
You are brave to stand up for what's right. I know exactly the kind of people you are talking about. They think their racist jokes are funny/ cool & think they know everything about the world. I think what's worse is sometimes it can affect other areas of your life, job, school, etc. That's why it's important to call it out, as an adult we are use to it by now. But try being a 20 something year old who knows nothing about the world, it can be soul crushing.
As a black man living in Europe, I can say that I’ve been to Italy 8 times, north and south, and Spain 4 times…Never have I ever had the experiences you speak of. I even brought my parents with me one time (to Italy) and they said it was the time of their lives. Not trying to invalidate anyone’s experiences, but rather remind people that this is just one black person’s experience, and while it is important for us to heed & consider other’s perspectives, we also need to be open minded enough to still give things a try so we can come to our own independent conclusions. For those who are still curious about traveling while black though, let’s play devil’s advocate…let’s assume that this experience is 100% indicative of what every black person will experience in these countries, in the bigger picture, as black people, we need to stop waiting around until we’re “welcomed” and “invited” into a space before we feel comfortable enough to enter said space. When schools were first legally desegregated in America, the first of our ancestors to march into that space did so knowing full well that they were not welcome nor wanted there - but they persisted, despite. And that’s the way it needs to be and is gonna have to be if we want real progress. The hard way. No one is coming to save us and the world isn’t going to open their doors and welcome us in kindly - we have to burst it down. We cut ourselves out of so many rooms, opportunities, and communal progress because we keep waiting for others to make us feel welcome before we proceed. We’re going to be waiting forever if that’s our only strategy. Black people - please stop waiting for the world to roll out the red carpet before you feel comfortable enough to show up in it. Also, an additional note on China: China’s media & citizens are all very…VERY, heavily censored and monitored, so despite living in the modern age, they really do have very little access to the outside world. It is a widely known fact that all outside social media apps, entertainment, movies, music, streaming services, etc. are all blocked by the government and have been replaced with Chinese native versions made and controlled by their government. Doesn’t justify, but it does explain why they react so strangely when they see us.
I am a black like Lupita Nyongo (in complexion) woman who has had the privilege of traveling to all three of these countries. Spain and Italy several times, beginning in 2000 and more recently summer 2024. China was a 4 year block from 2005-2009. My honest perception is that these countries have actually come a long way in improved race relations. In Spain and Italy, I was approached as a prostitute in 2000/2001. People, particularly men, would openly glare at me, ask how much I cost, and say lewd things. I sometimes left establishments in tears after waiting over an hour for service that never arrived. In China, people would say with disgust in their voices "so black," tell me they needed white teachers for jobs even if said white teachers had less education than me Chinese families would pay more money to have a white body in the room. But I also had good times, met kind people, and allowed myself to be human and feel the good and the bad, and respond to it in a human way. So when it was time to travel again, I was open to revisiting these countries. I was shocked and amazed at how far they've come. My experiences have improved 10 fold. Blatant discrimination has become a rarity (still sometimes rare instances occur) for me. However, like @ACM9407 I agree, we need to change the narrative. Not only do we need to stop waiting for other people to roll out the red carpet but, we also need to remember that whether we like it or not, we are ambassadors for other black people and we are not without privilege and options. Enjoy your travel, and simply by being yourself (part of a diverse group with a diverse and rich history), you show that black people like leisure travel, study and work abroad, love, are open to experiencing new cultures. If you speak the language, you become an example that can't be ignored of someone who not only took the time but also has the capacity to learn another language, their language. You have so many options on how you can choose to respond to negativity/racism: kindness, humor, teaching moment, fire with fire, ignore it, a blended response. But never forget "you" have the privilege and the option to decide this. You have a passport and the finances to take you wherever you choose to be. Many of the worst people are people who have not and may never be able to travel and experience the world like you can. Wear this privilege like a badge of honor. You are not a victim, you are an ambassador, a trendsetter, an educator, and explorer, a tourist, an expat, a privileged human being who is kicking down the doors to go wherever you want to go, whenever you want to. That being said, I love the recommendations to visit coutries with black people. Having received such a Eurocentric education, I'm only recently finding out about places like Equatorial Guinea. Maybe next summer I'll go there instead to practice my Spanish but not because I was warned off from Spain, but because "I" choose to.
In some ways you have missed the point of her message and have also invalidated the sentiment expressed in many of the comments, which is to give voice to the mental and emotional harm Black women experience while traveling to Italy, China and Spain. Yes, she does not speak for all Black women experiences in these countries BUT her experience is not an anomaly as shown from all the comments. While as a Black man you enjoy your experience in Europe, that is definitely not the experience of other Black men particularly darker complexion and African migrants. Acknowledge the experience of this woman and the other women who have commented without the lecture about how we need to keep an open mind and not wait to be welcomed. It’s 2024, I don’t care to spend my money “educating” or create cultural awareness to people who choose to be racist! Nah bruh. Life is too short and there are way too many other places to see. As for me and my hard earned money, I will go where I am welcomed and where people who look me are welcomed. Italy and Spain - I feel sorry for what awaits you in the future. By the way, I have traveled to both places in 1990 and early 2008, and my experience was not much different. God sees, hears and knows! It’s only a matter of time.
China is fairly self segregated from the rest of the world. Only the richest Chinese get to travel outside of the country. The country sees little tourism and immigration especially from black countries/people. And their media is very pretty down. They know Obama and NBA. And anywhere an international tourist is visiting in China, Chinese tourists are flocking in from the country’s backwaters to visit too, and they have probably never seen anyone not Chinese in real life. Anyone living in Shanghai or Beijing has sees black people fairly often. A tourist from a random town that Americans aren’t visiting certainly never has. The country has a 1 billion more people than USA, all the same ethnicity, and is pretty closed off. The behavior is undoubtedly weird but the curiosity is honestly understandable.
You have Piers Morgan, Andrew Tate and Austin Duham saved to your playlist (yup I sure did look that up like a creep) you are either not really black, not for woman, or not for other POCs. Either way, I don’t put too much stock into your words. If these are your supposed “idols” and I hope other impressionable youth will see through the thin veneer or pseudo activism masquerading as blind justice. Please.
I’m sorry to hear about your experience. I spent three weeks in Madrid back in 2014 and, fortunately, did not encounter any racism during my stay. At that time, there were many African immigrants in the city, but my interactions were all positive. Madrid is such a beautiful city, and I empathize with how such an experience could overshadow your trip. While there, I also visited a small town outside Madrid with my ex-girlfriend who is Spanish and local, where I was the only Black person in the town. Despite this, I was treated kindly, although I was with my ex at the time. In Madrid, however, I spent a lot of time exploring on my own while she worked, and it was a truly enjoyable experience. That said, I’ve experienced overt racism in places like Miami, where I’ve been ignored or refused service. It’s left me hesitant to visit Miami again, even more so than traveling to Madrid. Conversely, I visited Hobart in Australia, where I was also the only Black person in sight, but I found it to be a welcoming and wonderful place to explore on my own. I haven’t traveled much over the past decade but hope to do so again. Still, the state of the world and the persistence of discrimination make me anxious at times. Thank you for sharing your experience-it’s an important reminder of the complexities of travel as a person of color.
My wife and I went to Italy twice and never got treated poorly. A white woman in Florence called out to my wife and said she was beautiful. My wife is African and I'm Indian and we are both from Trinidad and Tobago .
I had this EXACT same experience in Madrid. People did not say anything terrible. They just acted as if I didn't exist and did it to other POC. My partner is white passing(blue eyes and all). A waiter came up asking for our order and walked away when I started giving mine. We walked off. This happened in different restaurants. Barcelona and Sitges were nicer than Madrid but they were not for me. I went to Israel and it was by far my worst experience. I'm black with an Arabic name. I got dropped by 11 Ubers until I changed my name and deleted my photo in the app. The driver was pissed when I was the one to open the car door amongst the crowd at the airport. People ignored me for others in stores, I was talked down to, my tour guide in Jerusalem berated me for not keeping track of the only other Black person on the tour who was from Africa until I snapped back and a couple from the Netherlands backed up what I was saying. I know S. Korea is often mentioned. I had a great time in Seoul but don't want to discount others who have been there or traveled to smaller towns/cities and had negative experiences. I've only been to the Italian Boot Cuff? "Panhandle"??(confused in Floridian) and had a neutral experience. I may try Florence but I've heard enough about Rome to not be interested in spending my money there.
I've heard from Italians that people from Southern Italy often get called racist names despite being from THE SAME COUNTRY because there are more POC/mixed race people. I always wanted to visit but I get enough American racism, I don't need the foreign kind too
It’s not so much cause of being mixed (since very little of us are), but mostly because we have a different culture. Southern Italy was its own kingdom before late 1800s when it got conquered by Northern Italy(which was divided in multiple little kingdoms before they also got conquered by Savoia). So in Italy there’s a lot of discrimination between different areas of the country. Terrone is the slur for us Southern Italians, but we don’t get offended by it anymore and actually use it jokingly with each other 😂
@MrReset94 did you reply to my personal anecdote about Italians racism, where I spoke about the experience shared with me by actual dark skinned Italians, on a video discussing Italian racism...to explain to me that the discrimination is in fact not race based? I'll agree there are cultural differences. I am happy for you if you say you have not felt the prejudice personally. However, don't discount other people's lived experiences.
I went to Italy for a study abroad trip during my junior year of college. Thankfully none of the locals treated me poorly, and I was the only Black student on the trip.
Great video this is why we offer travel and relocation services to Kenya 🇰🇪, one of the leading countries for Black folks to travel to. Keep educating sis!! I'm supporting my fellow beginner RUclipsr. Keep pushing ❤ Subscribed!
I have been to Spain about 4 times. I have only had a weird and obvious service issue once with one bartender at one bar. I do think that if they suspect you are American (with American dollars) and not African, who they have various historical and immigration related prejudices against) they are likely to treat you better. Mind you, i have only spent an evening in Madrid before flying out. The majority of my travels have been elsewhere. Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Potes, Cordoba, Gijon, San Sebastian, Logrono, Segovia, Valladolid ...and I am sure a bunch of little towns we stopped in that i can't remember. Barcelona is not friendly. Towards any outsiders of any kind. Do not recommend. Logrono, Cordoba, Segovia and Santiago de Compostela, highly recommend. Again. Not pretending Spanish people aren't racist. Likely colorist also. I am just happy if folks manage to keep their racism to themselves. It's everywhere. And i hate that the poster was treated that way when she spent her hard earned cash to relax and have a good time.
Sorry you had to deal with that terrible treatment! Egypt can be extremely difficult for black people. Your video will help many other travellers, thank you for your honesty.
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Hi Nicole, first time watching one of your videos; don't know why it was "algorithm-ed", but here we are. As a black American woman married to a native Italian man for 35 years, with 2 adult children, you are spot on. One summer we were with my infant daughter (who looked Italian) at the beach, and other Italians were telling my in-laws how great they were to rescue me from Ethiopia and give me a job watching their granddaughter. When my in-laws corrected that I was American, the whole demeanor changed. It didn't matter to me...that as a black American I was acceptable, but as any other black person...person non grata. That was 30+ years ago, hasn't changed. So, when I read about black American women divested and fawning about going to Italy where they are wanted and loved...a delusional bill of goods...and I have it "easier", as I married into an Italian family. (back story...my husband and I met in the U.S. (23 yrs old), when he was on a NATO assignment.
The Ethiopia thing, lol! Something similar happened to me when I was in Italy, I was called a dirty Ethiopian by some Italians, even though I'm not Ethiopian I'm a black American man from Brooklyn 😂. It looks like those fascist Italian grandfathers successfully passed their historical racism towards Ethiopians and people of African descent to their grandchildren.
Wow. What an awful experience. I'm sorry.
Matters are getting worse instead.
@GinaCriv I am a boomer who has been traveling internationally since the 70's. Traveling is an adventure. It's your real experience versus the tourist videos. I've learned being Black American is a plus. I prepare for the type of trip: either as a student, an explorer, or a tourist, and pack accordingly. I read about the history, culture, customs, and current events. I still am tickled when folks find out that I am American and speak 2 languages other than English. Hilarious! Puts swag in my attitude!
I have learned that American racism is American but colorism, class, and caste are prevalent. I remind myself to stay cool, think, and plan. If a situation does get dicey stay cool, and then get outta there.
I am delighted that more women /POC are traveling. Congratulations on being brave those 35 years ago. You were a pioneer and have shown the way for others. Peace.
30 years from now it will still be the same.
I’ve never heard anything good about Spain from a BW, including native Spanish speakers. Only thing I wanna add is that I DO NOT EAT food from “people” who didn’t even want to sell it to you (and make money!).
That part! Not risking it!
Even Oprah was disrespected in Italy. Keep up the good work 👍🏾
Nope. It was Switzerland.
@@Stephen2727 It happened in Italy, in Rome, Oprah talked about that. It also happened in Switzerland but the racist sales assistant was an Italian woman who was working in Switzerland.
A good reminder that it doesn’t matter how much money or status you have when dealing with racism and prejudice
Baby, status means nothing…especially when you are a celebrity only in your own country and maybe a couple more.
@@marceltresvant8581 Oprah was also discriminated against at the Hermès boutique in Paris.
There's a rule I use with restaurants, whether I am traveling or not. If I don't receive service within ten or at most fifteen minutes, I get up and leave! I don't care how highly rated is the restaurant, the service isn't going to get any better from there. It happened to me and my family at a restaurant in Switzerland. We walked in and were ignored for fifteen minutes. I am also a POC so I don't know if it was racially biased or not, but I just said to my family, "let's get the hell outta here" and we never looked back!
This is a good point. We don't have to be insist on parting with our money in places that try to make us feel unwelcome.
Excellent advice. Like you, we don’t push to pay for mistreatment. I enjoyed my holiday in Italy back in ‘93 and was far from fluent in Italian. Sadly, the world’s caste system supports this.
Excellent rule!
The thing is, in that scenario, I would want to leave so as to not give a single penny to a restaurant that doesn't treat black people well, but I would feel frustrated and also want to stay and MAKE THEM serve because who the HELL are they to make me feel less than? But then again I might not want to eat there as they would probably temper with my food. A good option for someone with money would be to make them serve me, pay, and leave as soon as the plate is on the table and not touch a single thing so as to prove a point. Idk. Being petty is tiring lmao.
Why do they always visit non black states@@theeverydayalpha
Honestly, expected racism is enough for me to not travel someplaces. Does that mean I'll never see the wonders of the world? Yes, but if those wonders are attached to people like the ones you described, maybe they aren't so wonderful after all. Paying money to get the same treatment i get as a black man in the US is something i don't know if i have the tolerance for.
Keep doing good work though. Your videos are awesome!!
I am African American and have visited or lived in 27 countries around the world. If you want to avoid racism based on your skin color, you have to visit black nations, but I know most of us think we are too good for those places. I have ran into racism , in the middle east, Europe and Asia, over the past 40 years... The most racist place in Europe is Greece, some places would serve my European American friend but not me.. Italy dont even wast your time, been there over 7 times because of my job, they were just horrible.
Didn't care for Israel, but liked Palestine!! Hate the war😢
I agree fully! Italy has been off my list ever since my friends visited and had less than stellar things to say about it. China is off as well as Spain, Russia, Germany and America...wait I live here. lol ugh!!
You're always welcome in Egypt, where black people built those wonders.
@OntheWingsofDoves well said. Personally, I don't think I'm too good for African nations, but I tend to base my want to go somewhere on the interactions I have with the people. Nigeria will never get my money as I have daily interactions with abrasive men and women in tech who straight up believe american black folks are bottom of the barrel and have no problem mentioning it as soon as they find out my dad is carribean. On the contrary, I've only ever met the nicest people from Burkina Faso, Ghana and Kenya so I would love to visit those countries soon.
Thank you so much for your honest and cautionary assessment. I have experienced this first hand many times as a Black woman who looks white married to a Black man. We enjoy travel very much, but have found Italy, Greece, France, and Denmark - yes, even Denmark - to be very racist. The Netherlands and the UK have consistently felt more welcoming.
It is important for People of Color to be aware of the rising tide of fascism and xenophobia globally. Please be diligent in doing your research before you travel. Take a deep dive into the past and current political climate in each country before travel. Be on your guard. Sadly, this strategy is not at all unfamiliar to People of Color in the USA. Many of the most troubling experiences arise from those subtle slights and comments in the native language that the offenders assume will not be understood.
Having said all that, do not let anyone steal your joy in traveling this beautiful world that God created for all of us to enjoy!
🌎🌍🌏
Please Keep Encouraged and Keep Speaking Truth!
Many Blessings to You All!
❤🙏🏼🌿
YES! I 'd give 1000 "thumbs up" to your comments on being politically aware of the country's history you plan to visit. For your information, I've read that Denmark intends to deport many of its foreign migrants. I've heard unpleasant things about Greece for some time, especially since the rise of Golden Dawn. I was last in Italy and France back in 1974, but France wasn't that bad, and Italy wasn't either. In fact, the Italian men would flirt with you and say things like, "Che bella, signorina (remember, 1974)", "Bella, bella bellissima", and even, "I want to get married!". I've read that a lot has changed. Much of it may have to do with the migration crisis from Africa as well as the popular rise of Fascism and right-wing politics. Also, I understand that a lot of the racist propaganda is also transmitted via social media from sources as varied as Russia (Putin sends a lot of propaganda to sow chaos and disunity in the West) or even the United States. Since the generations who lived as adults and older teenagers in cities smashed by a world war, through foreign occupation by the Nazis as well as homegrown Fascist oppression are no longer with us, fewer people are around who can recount those stories of how awful it really was. People also forget those stories, and sadly, too many far-right-wing types would consider much of that era their "glory days".
If a country can't treat POC right I will take my white ass money to one that does. Thanks for the info!
Respect Kelly. I will never set foot in Italy or China or South Korea. Barcelona was alright but I'll NEVER go to Madrid
Me too!
not one does though, there's only the lesser evil
👏🏿 👏🏿
You won't be traveling overseas much, my friend.
I'd heard that about Spain. A friend travelled there and said it was unbelievable how rude and racist the people were, and yes she could speak Spanish. She said she ended up spending the last couple of days of her stay basically holed up in her hotel room, afraid to go out. Miss me with that bull, if I want to experience racism, I can stay right here in the USA.
@carolpetdue 7534
Preach !! 💣💥✨️
Correction:
carolperdue7534
I had the opposite experience in Spain.
@@imhassaneGood for you, you were the exception. I guess you have to be the exception in this world 🌎
Same. If a country isn't vetted safe for black travelers,I'm not going.
Before you even said it, I knew the worst would be Italy.
Because, same sis.
I was there for 2 weeks. The stares. The treatment in stores. I remember exactly how I felt.
It wasn’t like this everywhere in Italy. But it was enough for me to feel uncomfortable.
Which city did this happen please?
Milan and Malcesine
italy is THE WORST!
@@lexusgibz2745 and Milan is a big city, full of people color.... that tells you how much worse it must be in the country side and smaller towns...
@@frenchgirl5878Milan is good only if you're Asian, if you're black Milan is bad just like the rest of Italy, I know it because I've been there.
I had a similar experience in Barcelona when I visited in 2013. I vowed never to return. I got followed in a grocery store (by a South Asian clerk, mind you); some teen boys shouted epithets at me from across the street while laughing. When I went to buy my dad a football jersey, the shopkeeper waved me off and completely ignored me. I also attempted to speak to him in Spanish. I thought it was a language barrier, until some tall white guys walked in and the same shopkeeper stopped what he was doing to tend to them in English. I was only there for 3 days, but that was some of the most blatant racism I had ever experienced. My cousin did a semester abroad there and said she had the similar experiences.
But I will say this: I did meet a nice flamenco dancer man, pushing his child in a stroller, who was nice enough to help me find the zoo. And there was also some nice waiters at a cafe, where I ordered tapas and sangria. They convinced me to try some baby octopus, which turned out to be delicious! So it wasn't EVERYONE was rude and racist, but I had enough experiences there to make me feel unsafe to a point where I wouldn't feel comfortable going back, especially not alone.
Thanks for the info. I had given some thought to pursuing a masters degree in Spain, but I wasn't sure about how POC are treated. Perhaps it's not all of Spain, but I've dealt with enough racism in the U.S. no patience for it in other countries.
I know you are speaking the truth but it’s their problem not yours!
2013? do you know how much has changed. I think everyone has different experiences.
Octopus is delicious & I wish everyone wouldn't assume.
I've been all over the world & there is always good people everywhere. Even Valaida Snow encountered kind Nazis in Nazi Germany!
However, if the majority of situations you encounter are negative & if people who are nice really would not be able to help you if an event happened, you need to be wary.
Also, our government's ability to help Americans abroad is almost nil.
I wouldn't travel now. Sorry
I fully validate your experiences
From this video, others i have seen and my experience with people from these countries: France, spain, italy, israel, austria, india, china, korea, poland, ukraine, lithuania, romania, Hungary. Dont waste your money in these backwards countries where you will be treated like trash or your life will be at risk just for being black and existing. Sadly i think we might need to add america to the list soon.
The caribbean is gorgeous and welcoming. Black Americans, im sure you will be welcome all over the Caribbean, esp in beautiful Jamaica 🇯🇲❤️😊😊
Of those countries you listed above, I recently visited Austria in 2018, and I was in Poland in 2000 on a guided tour. My mom and I had no problems in Poland. We also visited Auschwitz while we were there as it was covered by the tour. In 2018 I travelled to Vienna alone to attend two of the grand waltz balls held in that city. They are UNESCO World Heritage events, and I had been taking private Viennese Waltz lessons on my own for a year before going over. I had the time of my life, and I really did dance until dawn. I had my partner for both balls I attended, the Ärzteball (Medical Professional's Ball) and the Jägerball (Hunter's Ball, at which I wore a long Dirndl and the men word Steirische suits; Trachten was the dress code). My partner was a teacher in the Vienna school system who had an interest in the "hippie culture" of the 1960's, and since I was a retired teacher from the West Coast of America who had lived through that era as a college student, we hit it off beautifully. Politically, he was a member of the SPÖ (Socialist), and he told me so as he placed the red carnation in the lapel of his tuxedo. That red flower came in handy during Viennese Waltz as an item to spot upon to keep from getting dizzy. He also asked questions about Trump whom he thought was crazy.
I have traveled to Spain many times and am considering moving to Malaga if I feel threatened in America.
Italy was always fun until I went there in 2018. I think the immigration of Africans has caused a perception change in Italy. In 2018, Italians were no longer cordial, sometimes even hostile.
I experienced the worst racism in Versailles and Argentina.
The problem is that right-wing politics is proliferating worldwide. Some people get angry when they are working minimum-wage jobs, and successful people of color seem to have what they think should be rightfully theirs because their skin is white.
I believe you!
Agree it is a boiling pot of water exploding worldwide, pure hatred. I’m going to Portugal for the second time next year, let’s see how it goes.
As a black man who was born in Italy and grew up in Italy in the 1980s and in the 1990s I can assure you that in Italy there was a lot of racism against black people even before 2018.
@@marceltresvant8581 thank you for sharing your experience. It lets me know that I was extremely lucky before 2018. I was in Naples, The Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento last month without a problem, but I am sure living is different from spending a short time in tourist areas.
@novice024 Exactly, it also depends on which zone of Italy you go, if you're a black person and you visit a zone of Italy where there are a lot of nostalgics of Mussolini and fascism then you can have problems as fascist Italians are historically extremely racist towards black people.
I’ve never been to Italy, because when I moved to England for grad school, an Italian girl told me point-blank to not visit her country, because she would be worried about my safety if I did. Thanks to her I’ve never set foot in there , even though I speak pretty good Italian. She’s a real one for letting me know 😂❤.
Can I just say that I think you're missing out? I am Italian from a small town in the North East btw. It obviously depends on where you go, where I live average age is like 80yo (joking, but not too much lol) so I admit that old people may stare at you...and in big cities some neighborhoods are definitely unsafe especially at night...but no worse than other countries I think. Hope you can change your mind and come at least for a short visit!
@@danyf.1442 I believe @osimiri7111 is worried about their safety for being a person of color based on how this Italian acquaintance warned them in the past--not that they're worried about their safety because they might wind up in a "bad neighborhood."
She meant you would get mugged
@@danyf.1442no worse than other countries?? I know you mean well, but that’s dark to think about
@@stripedpolkadots8692 I understand, it may come across as very bleak but unfortunately it's undeniable that especially in big cities, anywhere in the world, there are neighborhoods that are best avoided after dark. That's what I meant anyways, hope it's clear.
There are at least 53 countries in Africa and 26 countries in the Caribbean; almost all are black. Stick black countries. I love being black and love my people.😊
Bantu.. but Gotcha
@DerekThoms
No, not all are Bantu.
Many people think that African countries and the Caribbean are panaceas for melanin people, but most are not. You see the same bigotry there, as well. Even Obama, who is half Kenyan talked about going to a restaurant in Kenya with his half sister (who is Kenyan) and being ignored (during the 90s). He and his sister were the last to be served, while non melanin people were treated like kings. That is what you will find in the Caribbean and in many African countries. You will constantly encounter trashy non melanin European people being treated like royalty by the locals and it's unnerving, especially when in melanin rich countries...
@@lenaprice6239 Agreed as a Kenyan American, Kenya does us dirty!
@@DerekThoms What kind of comment is that?
Fiji, New Guinea, Guyana, Namibia, Ethiopia, Mali, Dominica, Cape Verde. All beautiful tourist countries i rarely or never hear blacks people talk about
My sister vacated in Cape Verde solo about 20 years ago. The people were very welcoming to her.
I loved Namibia!! Just booked my flight back there last week...😊
I’m not surprised about Italy
@@ariellehayden4172 Me too, Italy was the only European country that had laws that prohibited unions and marriages between blacks and whites, think about that.
I’m not surprised about ANY of the 3 she named. Thought it was an obvious part of these countries and their cultures.
probably too many African immigrants there
@@emilyjones4736No, I'm sorry to disappoint you Benita, but most of the immigrants in Italy are not Africans but people from Eastern European countries and Asian countries, Africans make just the smallest part of the immigrants in Italy, I know it because I was born and bred in Italy. I'm sorry to disappoint you Benita, but it is what it is.
@@emilyjones4736No, most immigrants in Italy are Asians and Slavs, black Africans are relatively few.
My wife is a beautiful African goddess. As we were leaving a store, the 'security' guy asked her to open her purse
He soon found out my wife wasn't the one he should have been concerned about
My 11yo son was stopped by a security guard in Europe as we were leaving a big box tech store... What should I accuse the security guy of since we were all White? He is a White Prince, I suppose, so what will it be?
@@kevinadams9468we can say he WASN'T stopped, because of the color of his skin. So...there's that.
@@kevinadams9468probably his age, kids can be silly.
@kevinadams9468 There's always whataboutisms. And there's always folks that stick their heads in the sand and who can't believe in other people's experience. These are the folks without empathy.
FACTS!!! I was in Spain & Italy in May & it was disgusting! A man hit with his car in Amalfi on the tight vendor street! It was unreal. I had been in Italy in 2007 & it was lovely. So sad how things have changed. I will never go back
When I traveled to Singapore, the amount of people trying to take pics of me and my friend was astounding. One girl tried to sneak a pic by acting like she was taking a selfie, so I turned around.
I saw another lady staring at me for awhile, she finally came over and introduced herself. We chatted for a bit and she told me she was visiting from Indonesia and had never seen a Black person, in person before. We had a nice conversation and she was about to leave and asked me for a pic. I told her we had to take the pic together. She took one on her phone and I took one on mine.
I’ve been to Spain and Italy a few times and never had issues there. Except in Madrid, a guy from African descent was nasty towards me but 🤷🏾♀️
When I was in South Korea, no one spoke to me, tried to take a pic of me or even acted like existed. With the exception of the train, most of them wouldn’t sit next to me. Which honestly was perfectly fine. The few times that someone sat next to me were young children.
Also, when I was in certain stores they would try and get in front of me in line. I would just step right in front of them without allowing extra space so they knew to back TF up.
I don’t care about being ignored, I like traveling solo so I don’t have to be bothered. But what I will not tolerate is disrespect.
💯
I had nothing but positive experiences when I was in Singapore, but this was before cell phones back in the early 1990's. I traveled on the subway, buses and taxis without any problems. About the only thing that made me a little mad was because I am Black and taller than most avg height people many assumed I was a basketball player. But this happened more when I travel to the non tourist parts of the Philippines. But either way I still felt safer in those countries then I did in the USA. At most the only thing I had to worry about was being pick pocketed.
I'm not surprised about Italy. Italy had its own Jim Crow laws, they were called Italian racial laws and they were made by Mussolini.
That was probably initiated after Hitler's visit in 1938 when Italy became allied with Germany. Those laws may have regarded Jews as a primary target, however. There may have been a few Ethiopians and other Africans in the country who were also affected as non-Aryans, but they weren't deported for extermination. I'd like to suggest a 1972 movie that touches upon this change in status for targeted populations in Italy during those times. It's called, "The Garden of the Finzi-Continis", and it primarilly deals with the targeting of Italian Jews in Ferrara, and their decline in social status to deportees heading for the death camps.
@thegoddessdiana9185 The racial laws towards those blacks who lived in the Italian colonies in Africa were made in 1937 and Hitler had nothing ti do with that. The laws against Jews came later on.
@thegoddessdiana9185 The racial laws against those black people who lived in the Italian colonies in Africa were made in 1937 and Hitler had nothing to do with that, the laws against Jews were done later on. You're referring to the laws against Jews but that's just another story.
@thegoddessdiana9185 I was talking about those racist laws that Mussolini made towards the black population who lived in the Italian colonies in Africa, those laws were made in 1937 before the laws towards Jews and Hitler had absolutely nothing to do with that. You're referring to the laws towards Jews people but that's just another story and it's not related to this topic as the girl in the video is black not Jew and she's talking about the racism that she faced in Italy as a black girl.
@@thegoddessdiana9185 I was talking about the racial segregationist laws towards the black population of the Italian colonies in Africa that were made in 1937, not about the racial laws towards Jews. Those laws were made before the laws towards Jews, and Hitler had nothing to do with that. P. S. I don't know if you can read my reply as for some weird reason RUclips has deleted all my answers.
As a black person who was born and bred in Italy (now I live in America) I warmly suggest black people not to visit Italy.
Now you live in the Mecca of Ignorance.
Can you elaborate
really curious to hear about your experience with this, is it just way worse depending on regions?
@@e3e3411 I wrote a post but RUclips deleted it.
@@e3e3411 I wrote a post but I don't know why RUclips doesn't show it.
I went on a last minute trip to Rome with a best friend. It was truly an experience 😂 a lady got on the elevator with us, saw us became frightened. Squeezed her bag to her chest and cowered in the elevator corner by the buttons. We also went to Pompeii and ate at a pizza restaurant in the small town nearby. My friend and I were the only ppl in the restaurant... Our food took an hour. Two European men and a group of white + non-black Latina women came in after us and ate before us. Also we sat outside and EVERY SINGLE person walking by us just stared at us including the kids. They kept walking and their heads were still still turned back staring at us. We eventually left walked to the train station saw painted graffiti on an electrical box saying "Negri brutti" with a neo-nazi symbol between the words (we had to Google the symbol). We got the HELL up outta there 😂😭 Honestly idk if I'll go back. That was enough for a week😂😂
I won't even trust them to serve me "food" after they displayed such behavior
100% I thought it was in my head but Madrid was one of the WORST experiences I had for racism as an Indian American…I swore I would never step foot in that city again
I loved Madrid, I'm biracial, and most people think I'm white. I fit right on in while living in Spain, although there aren't many black folks in Spain, I was probably the only thing that came close the whole time I was there.
@@peryole Why would you try to minimize another persons experience with your own anecdotal experience. Thats horrible, get a clue!!
@peryole "most people think I'm white"....well that should tell you something.
@@peryolemumu 😂
Yeap and a lot of Spanish will assume anyone vaguely south Asian looking is a Romani... who are villified over there (as everywhere).
I use to do security at a Black church in NY - Every Sunday international tourist would flock to the service to see the choir perform, the comments I would hear after they left were wild, they thought I did not know how to speak the language, they would low key diss the church expecting a minstrel gospel show with people flying through the air - lol, like the one you see in a commercial. Most of them were Rude - Disrespectful and walked Harlem as if it was their right to be seen and heard. Many times I had to put them in check with a quickness, to them it was a show not a place of wordship.
You're talking about Abysennia Baptist Church. I hate that they allow European tour groups to attend Sunday worship.
Our visit to Rome was quite an experience. The stares and expressions on their faces told us all we needed to know. We felt so unwelcome. Conversely, we had a great time in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
Wow. I’m shocked to hear this. We just went to Spain and Italy earlier this month and the people were so kind. Im sad you had a bad experience
I am so glad that you mentioned that photo taking and touching crap in China! That gets on my nerves so damn much!
I had two separate group of friends experience that in India and Argentina. In India it was REALLY bad as they’d come stand beside my friend as if she was a prop or statue and take the picture without asking.
@@christineinchrist7407India!? They got their nerve. 🙄
My friends sister went to China & she said she had to beat someone with her purse. Also, someone I know went to China & entire buses of people would take photos & people would follow them. This video is 💯 fax.
@@christineinchrist7407 lol this happens in China as well. One minute you're looking at a monument, a Chinese person stands next to you with a big smile or funny expression on their face. Then a flash or click of a camera and they disappear. It's absolutely crazy...
This is one of the most annoying things when I travel! We are not animals on display at a zoo
Thank you so much for this video, I thought I was being paranoid after my disastrous experiences in Spain and Italy ! I went to Spain three times but never again, I stupidly thought that Barcelona, being a big city, people would be used to diversity and be more open minded but not at all. The stares, the shop assistants ignoring you, and on the last day of one of the trips my suitcase was stolen at the airport so I went to security and as I was talking to them they all make eye contact with my friend and completely dismissed me.
Same in Italy, rude waiters, people staring at you as if you're the first black person they've ever see. That's a pity because I must say those are beautiful countries with rich cultures but the behaviour ruins everything..
Even my Mexican friend had a horrible experience in Spain. She said them people that colonized her ancestors treated her like a second class citizen. They didn’t care that she was speaking Spanish.
I've heard of many stories from Latin American people that they are not treated well in Spain, even if they spoke the same language. Many people migrate to Spain (from Lat Am countries = former Spain-colonized countries) because they can be eligible for Spanish citizenship after 2 years of residency. As such, they are treated as "poor migrants".
It also depends on their phenotype. If they look more white-passing, they get treated better than if they looked more brown (indigenous abd/or Afro Latino).
She had to learn
Thank you so much for being very transparent about your experience. As some of us of darker melanated , skin tone would like to hear, honest feedback from other people‘s experiences. I do understand we all are individual, but this does help me in my travels abroad. And I thought it was just me. I have experienced the same in Italy and Spain as well. You have just gained a new subscriber off of your honesty and transparency alone.
Italy has a horrible reputation regarding POC!
Also want to point out that the degree of racism you could experience seems to directly correlate with your skin color. In America if you have a light-medium to redbone complexion you'll be clocked as Black no questions. But I found that in Europe (and in Mexico, South America) those complexions make you racially ambiguous. And in Europe especially, you're perceived as mixed race. So how people approach you will be different than if you have dark skin, which many unexposed folks perceive your origin as being directly from Africa and imbue you with the malice of immigration rhetoric.
There are definitely layers to the racism overseas. And just like in the US, people's perception and reaction to your Blackness is commingled with other perceptions like physicality, gender expression, perceived sexuality, nationality - some of which can serve as mitigating factors to anti-Blackness.
Sometimes the funniest thing is seeing that look on someone's face while they try to reconcile the multiple, seemingly contradictory identities you exude. 😅 Like Miss ma'am, I know you tryna figure out what I'm giving, but I just want my croissant and espresso so I can pump.
I have mixed nieces and a nephew who are Spanish nationals born and bred in Spain and they have had some awful experiences growing up in Spain. The Spaniards typically do not like those from the Spanish speaking colonies and see them as second class citizens.
I don’t even think it’s just skin color. Because Meghan Milan seems to have a good time everywhere she goes. But she is a model. And I fully believe that because she is so beautiful she doesn’t have bad experiences. But like most people traveling are never going to look like a top model like her.
I don’t even think it’s just skin color. Because Meghan Milan seems to have a good time everywhere she goes. But she is a model. And I fully believe that because she is so beautiful she doesn’t have bad experiences. But like most people traveling are never going to look like a top model like her.
Nah. Light skin here. They were superracist to me.
I haven't been to Spain but living in Italy as a light skin guy I haven't experienced that. I was welcomed on my 1st day here but they are rude here
Beautiful black woman. Wow. I can confirm everything she is saying is true. These are 3 of the top hyper racist countries towards black people. I actually speak Spanish, Chinese and Italian (I'm a polyglot and love languages and traveling) and I lived in all 3 of those countries. They see black people as sub human. It's just the truth
Yes excellent critical review, 👍🙂
I live in Spain and it is true, racism is part of their culture. I am of North African descent (Moroccan) and spaniards have a particular disdain for my people. In fact I think they hate everyone, my South American husband is not treated any better. They treat northern Europeans slightly better, because they feel lesser than them. Sometimes I even feel like they hate themselves because they're all day walking around with a stank face.
Yes, I’m Spain there is a lot of racism towards Latin Americans, North Africans, Middle Eastern people, south Asians and there is some racism towards east and south-east Asians as well,
I also get the impression that a lot of Spaniards feel lesser than north or west Europeans
Very important for black travellers to know these things, so thank you. I sometimes wish someone who is a black Italian would make a video about their experience as well. Similar for a born black Chinese/Spanish person.
Kai Wright's NPR show "Notes on America" had an ep back in 2020 about Black Italians fighting for citizenship. Not exactly a travel story, but still had ppl living the experience sharing what it's like. They also were affiliated with a site that doesn't seem to be active anymore called Afroitalian Souls.
@@ElisaMinadio-mr7puhi. Do you know of Mario Balotelli, the black football (soccer) player? He was adopted by a white Italian family, hence his surname. He's said that he experienced racism growing up. Then as a football player, he's been jeered at during games. I've also heard of other black football players being treated differently by their (Italian) clubs or fans. So your experience may be more of an exception, not the norm.
I've also heard of other black (American) tourists being treated badly in Italy. Sometimes, when they hear the American accent, then they change attitude (the tourist gets treated better). They treat the people worse if they're Africans (from Africa) - but I know that it's related to migration/ illegal migrants & it's also a political issue.
@@kitty_s23456 Hi, yes I know of Mario Balotelli, he is popular in Italy but unfortunately a lot of the soccer players experience racism, there was a incident when another italian black player by the name of Kalidou Koulibaly, while playing in napoli (naples italy) some of the fans where making monkey noises at him. And I agree with you if you are black american or African descent from Africa you will be treated differently, they are trying to put a limit on how many illegal immigrants can enter Italy but that's another story. It also depends on what part of Italy you visit, Italy is very different and Everyone has a different experience when coming to italy but racism is one thing I never understood. I hope it gets better.
@@kitty_s23456The anti-African sentiments in Italy go back to the long ugly racist history that Italy has with Ethiopia, those sentiments were particulary strong during Mussolini's fascist era and they still exist today in a big part of the Italian society, I can tell you this because I was born and bred in Italy.
@marceltresvant8581 thanks for adding context. As a POC, it helps to know which countries treat us well/ poorly.
a countess told my group about how they used to pray that the children of affairs would not be black. I had no words.
It's very disheartening when stuff like that happens. Not trying to be funny but it's like when a kid finds out there's no Santa Clause. It pretty depressing.
To answer your question, yes, Japan, the Japanese people were alright, but I did get watched a lot by police, train conductors, etc. They thought I was a poor Thai or Filipino immigrant. But it wasn't nearly as bad as the example you gave in this video.
My experience in France was great. I actually didn’t run into it in Spain. Or maybe I was too young and focused on other things.
I’m taking a scouting trip to Spain in February for 3 months. I’ll finally see for myself 🤷🏽♀️
Italy is on my bucket list. I got some deeper research to do. Thanks for the insight.
The people in Rome have a quick mindset. What I would imagine New York to be like (rude, short tempered) but service was trash! I heard Napoli might be better.
It's on my travel list too 😅 now I'm second guessing it lol
I had a very similar experience in Spain. These people really have audacity like they won’t face their judgement day soon.
In North America and other parts of the Western world, psychological operations through media have played a significant role in perpetuating harmful narratives about individuals of African descent, particularly those with darker phenotypes. These portrayals often normalize the dehumanization of African people, contributing to a systemic and insidious form of cultural violence. Media industries, through meticulously crafted imagery and storytelling, disseminate negative stereotypes on a global scale, reinforcing biases and perpetuating discriminatory attitudes.
This phenomenon constitutes a psychological war against the self-perception and societal perception of dark-phenotype Africans. The implications of such narratives are profound, as they shape public consciousness and influence behaviors, often to the detriment of African-descended communities.
To address this issue, it is imperative to introduce accountability measures within the media industry. One potential solution involves implementing labeling systems for films, television shows, and other media content that utilize dehumanizing stereotypes or portrayals. These labels would serve to inform audiences and raise awareness about the content's potential to perpetuate harmful biases. By doing so, this measure could act as a deterrent against the dissemination of negative imagery and contribute to fostering a more equitable and respectful representation of African-descended individuals.
The sad part is this nefarious, intentional and calculated practice perpetuated by the media is an agenda and the majority of the public are just casualties of this psychological warfare but fail to recognize it.
Thanks the media.They spread all these stereotypes about Black people all over the world.They do not tell their people how they colonize Africa and other continents.
I had the most fun in Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Cyprus. Least fun: Poland, Italy, Greece. I am a black man who has traveled to 40 countries and presently residing outside the USA.
What was Russia like if u went ?
I’ve heard mixed reviews on Eastern Europe in terms of how they respond to black people showing up.
I'm surprised about Serbia and Bosnia.
This is really helpful. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so sorry to hear about your experience in Madrid. Black American woman here who lived there for over a year and I found it diverse cosmopolitan and such a fun place. But recognize that was just my experience. I do warn people more about the smaller towns which is where I experienced racism. I do warn black travelers to always be on the lookout- western world power means racism can find you anywhere. Like for me - I would not recommend North Africa countries to Black women at least if you’re traveling alone. But sounds like you had a good time there. However I will say for Spain I never feared for my life as a black person the way I often do in the US.
As someone living in Northern Europe, spain was heaven for me and breath of fresh air
As a black American living in Spain my experience here has been quite different from yours. It's such a shame that you were treated that way.
I'm black American and lived in Madrid. You couldn't pay me to ever step foot in that God awful place. The anti-blackness was the most blatant that I have ever experienced.
Europe, the full continent, it is still very racists. (Nicole, for first time I am happy with my algorithm suggestions which brought me here. Your content is very useful).
I appreciate your "lived experience" share compared to videos that just speak from what they've read or heard. With that said, I've never been to Spain, but I have traveled through Italy alone and with others multiple times from the mid-90s to 2005. I always had a wonderful time and was well-received. But that was then, and Italy, like much of Europe, has had a huge uptick in far-right anti-everybody movements since 2008. Regarding China - I lived there for almost 6 years. Never had a problem. Again, that was from 2011-2017. I would encourage folk to be open-minded about their travel choices - go where you feel a connection or a genuine interest in the culture. We shouldn't allow fear to dictate where we go - this is our world, too.
Thank you!❤
I visited Madrid and a few neighboring cities in 2008 when I was 17. I had a good time overall, but I do remember being stared at like I was some kind of alien. Even in bathrooms I remember being stared at. I wanted to visit Barcelona but that desire has since died.
I believe you 100% on all accounts! As much as I would like to visit Italy, I don’t think so.
I agree with you. I've traveled to Madrid, Granada and Malaga, Spain. I also had a brief stay on Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands of Spain. However, only in Malaga was I stared at like I was an alien. I don't care to visit Spain again.
I went to a few countries in May/June of which Italy and Spain were 2 of them. Spain had always been on my bucket list. The rudest people I have ever met in my life were in those countries. The tour guide companies we used were fantastic, but I'm definitely glad we were escorted around because I'd have felt incredibly uncomfortable being on our own. I have absolutely no desire to return to either country.
In every European country I have visited, I have had a racist experience as a black woman (and I am a slim and not so bad looking). All European countries are pretty much racist.
Yes. Pretty much.
I'm so sorry about your experience in Italy. What part did you go to? I went to Rome, Positano, Venice, and Almafi Coast. I'm a black woman and had a wonderful time there! The men were very flirtatious and kind and the women gave me compliments. The restaurants were attentive and service was great. I didn't get treated poorly at all so i'm so sorry to hear about your poor experience. We were supposed to go to Spain but did not because I heard they were treating illegal immigrants poorly at the time. I also had a friend who had a racist experience in Barcelona. So much hate in the world we have to be prepared for when we travel anywhere today. I'm from the US and I've had better experiences outside my country. I refuse to put up with racism though. I just won't patronize a place that treats me poorly.
That was our experience in Italy as well.
I have an online Italian friend. He said it depends on what part of Italy a black American goes to. Apparently Southern Italy is not recommended due to their prejudice ways. But Northern Italy is okay. I wouldn't know for sure, as I have yet to go, but this is per my friend's recommendation.
Are you a dark skinned black person?
@@patriciahercules6852Sad, but legit question…
That was my experience. In positano, the Nona’s kept stoping to tell me I was beautiful. And the men were flirty too. Same as Rome, Venice and Florence.
I experienced prejudice in Spain. I no longer spend my money anywhere in the world where I am not respected. The world has become extremely small for me and I am ok with that 😊
The only place I feel like I experienced racism was Portugal. I just didn’t have a great experience there and people looked at me funny. I’ve been in Italy and Spain but not long enough and I’m not in a rush to go back. I liked Switzerland and the Netherlands the most. People are indifferent in those countries and just mins their business which I’m fine with
Glad to find your channel. New subscriber here. Just returned from Spain for two months, and got to visit 4 different cities. While up I didn’t care for Barcelona, I loved Valencia and Alicante. I attended a meditation retreat and a yoga retreat. In general I was not really feeling “welcomed” overall as a a black woman. But in many places people were patient (with my intermediate Spanish) and helpful. As an older looking woman, I didn’t feel too much of the male gaze but I did love my time with other expats and international visitors. I plan to return and Italy is also on my list. Thanks for the warning. ❤😊
That photo thing is absolutely correct. I wish people would understand that.❤
I heard that about Italy. Very sad. Changed my bucket list
Berlusconi gave the police the right to stop any dark person they wanted to stop!
People will also make excuses for racism🙄... I'm removing Italy from my travel bucket list
I am black. A venture capitalist. So not poor. She has spoken the truth, not one word of a lie. 😢
I remember reading your story in an article years ago. You were a student at NY University, I think (I'm from NYC and went to school there too). I had no idea it was you until you started describing every detail about your experiences in Italy that I knew it was you from that article. My heart broke for you then and still does now. I am very sorry you had to go through these experiences, which can be quite traumatic. I also had a similar experience traveling to a latin country a few years ago but prefer not to say which, just that it was a bit disappointing in terms of racism (in the non-tourist areas) because the country itself was very beautiful.
@1:00 She should have left the restaurant. If they feel that way about you you don't want them anywhere near your food or drinks, they also don't deserve your patronage.
I’m a black woman and have visited Madrid twice as a solo traveler. I did not experience any racism. The people were very nice, super helpful and I felt extremely welcomed.
Same for me when I went both times. I did mention in my separate comment that a guy from African descent was nasty towards me but that was it.
That's the spirit
Yea I've been to Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville and didn't have any negative experiences. We got some stares in Barcelona but that's probably the extent of it, overall generally good interactions. Also in Italy, I felt like the people were just generally rude mainly in Rome. I didn't get the feeling it was because I was black. 🤷🏽♀️ The northern cities people were much nicer. But everyone has different experiences.
I only had one bad experience in Madrid at a restaurant, but everywhere else people were so nice! I loved Madrid, but it sad that this happened to her.
Bot activities.
Me and the group I traveled with to Italy in May of this year experienced racism too. It was a couple who had a truck at the Vatican who was selling gelato and didn't want to service us. That experience didn't stop us from having a great time while we were there!
I felt very uncomfortable in China..the stares and people talking pictures. I remember one time I was standing outside in a shopping center and a group of school kids walked by in a line pointing at me, telling thier friends too look my way, they were laughing like they were in ahh to see a person like me. I felt like a zoo animal or alien. I would never go back to China
But I didn't have that experience in Japan.
Thanks for the review. Where did you visit in Japan?
@larkkay I visited Tokyo
Where did you go in China?
I've heard horror stories about Italy over the past years. Per those stories, I have no real urge to visit Italy.🤷🏾♂️
😮 I hate these things happen to travelers but I really thank you for giving the information so we can always look out for I just became a new subscriber today🎉
Happy to help! ❤
I don't know about Spain and China, but I did hear of them. I have been to Barcelona Spain, I didn't experience such thing, not to take away your own experience. But Rome Italy, you are 💯 right.
This is shocking 😢 I am so sorry you had this happened to you…. The woman screaming at you for no reason, a man throwing a beer bottle and harassing your friend, people refusing to tell you directions…. This is wild!!!! I didn’t think it would be possible in 21 century but here we are ….
Yeah, I actually stopped talking to a Sicilian girl I knew for a long time because she said "her country had an influx of Africans" and she didn't want them in Italy. She had a child with a man who was part Black and previously used to tell me that Sicilians are part Black, so this was confounding. Italy tried and failed to colonize Ethiopia, so they are the same as the others.
They like the culture maybe even the look or the trauma but don’t actually want to be the people themselves 😂😂
Don’t get me started on Italy. Every store I went into, there was a qwhite person telling me they wanted help to find sizes. They were not ASKING if I worked there, they all automatically assumed that I could only be the help. Then they quick to say they are not racisA.
I'd also like to see you make a video on the countries and cities where you felt the most welcomed.
A friend of mine tried to travel all through Europe. She said she felt the safest in France,and ended her itinerary there because of the poor treatment she got in Italy,Romania and Germany.
Thank you for that Video. I really apprechiate your take. Now it would be really exciting to have a video about the top 10 most welcoming and popular spots for people of african descent. Cause everybody deserves to feel welcome somewhere ;)
A friend and I just got back from Copenhagen, Denmark and the entire 4 days there we could count on 1 hand how many Blk/POC we saw. The last restaurant we ate at, we were the only POc and waited almost 30 minutes to be served. I’m more white/latin presenting and my friend is light skin but clearly black with twists and she felt the energy. This was the only instance we felt racism in CPH.
I wonder if they thought you were Syrian or Iraqui. There has been a lot of backlash against all the Syrian refugees many countries in Europe took in, so my guess is that racism is more rampant.
You’re my new Green Book! I’ve had issues in Italy and Hong Kong on work trips.
As a 1st Gen American from Kenya, even Kenya is problematic. Because I am usually with family we do not get served in a timely fashion at restaurants unless we are with white people.
What kind of issues did you have in HK?
@@yungrichnbroke5199right ??I’m curious I loved in HK almost 2 years and honestly was overall good experience literally miss it everyday
You are right! I’ve traveled extensively all over Spain and Italy and I’m fluent in both. Natives do not hold back on their negativity. It feels as if they’re hostile towards our wealth and liberty to travel in their country.
Funny thing, my experience with Italian racist, fascist was a native Italian man with a work visa visiting America 🇺🇸.
He sold prom clothes for prom season in a local Los Angeles fashion mall. My teen daughter who happens to be a very light skin biracial girl walks in with me to look at his prom dresses 👗.
Immediately, we hear 👂🏾 ratchet rap music 🎶 coming from the store speakers 🔊 with the ‘N’ and ‘B’ word repetitively used over and over. I politely asked this Italian merchant to change the music because it is offensive and this is a family mall with children visiting the store. He told me people here liked his music. (I could imagine someone telling him to play ratchet music believing only a certain demographic will visit his store)😩 I replied with, “This is NOT ALL of American culture.” He eventually changed the music to pop music. 🤔
At this moment my daughter was already in the dressing room and I wanted her experience to be a smooth easy ride. In my head, I already knew we were not going to spend one copper penny in this store.😂
However, while my daughter was trying on dresses I managed to make small talk with this foreign merchant. I mentioned a future trip to Europe and he unabashedly stated I would not be received well in Italy because I was black, however, they would allow my daughter because of her mixed heritage.
I chuckled, 😂and my immediate response was…I am…THE MOTHER of ALL of youzzz …AND because of that FACT, I can go anywhere in the world and call it home. I continued…Oh, and by the way…my DNA 🧬 is running throughout your veins.
After that revelation, he was VERY QUIET and humble.
That being said, we casually walked out without spending one copper penny. We enjoyed the rest of our mother/daughter outing. ❤💅🏾
Not surprised with italy lol
They're historically like this.
Sorry you had to go thru this
Thank you! Spent a week in Cortana and had a great time. Based on your video, I won't be back
I think we need a “Green Book” for international travel.
My cousin is black and LOVES Spain. She has lived there for a year already and wants to apply for citizenship. Maybe it depends where you are? But also- Spain has been hostile towards tourism in general.
In any case, I am sorry you and others have had really unpleasant racist experiences. They’re is simply no excuse for that.
Wow, didn’t know that about Italy. I went hoping through Italy about 14 years ago and loved it. I was with 2 other AA young women. We got ”Ciao Bella”s and dinner paid for our group. I left thinking Italians loved black women. We went to Florence, Venice and Rome. A quick lunch in Milan on the way to somewhere else. Maybe there has been a shift or certain areas are worse than others.
This is more of what I've heard about Italy^ Black women getting treated well and the Black men and footballers... well that's a different story. Like she said tho, prob has sth to do with how long you're there, too. Tuscany is still on my bucket list
I had good and bad experiences. I travelled all over and it was only in certain places that I experienced racism, but definitely not the whole country.
being loved and being fetishized are two different things.
Facism has a firm grip in so many nations again in the west.
And so when folks say that in recent years things seem worse pertaining to anti blackness, it makes sense, sadly
I had the worst experience in Italy too. No amount of gelato can get me to go back. Florence was ok but Rome and Venice were nightmares. Spain I had a lot of micro aggressions but I won’t go back there either.
That italy story is CRAY-Z! love your locs btw! 💜
I'm so glad you're on youtube now. Good video Nicole!
Thank you for making this video. Way too many youtubers and shows on TV make certain places like Italy out to be some great place everybody needs to visit and they don't tell you it's only if you are white. The white people that go, talk about it as if the extreme racism does not exist because it didn't affect them. That says a lot about them and society as a whole!
South Americans can be pretty racist as well. So my skin is pretty white or olive rather so I’ve never experienced anything like this while traveling.
Only once with my spouse in NYC (his skin color is brown as he’s from DR). But we New Yorkers! I was so mad though for both of us, as it was a first for me. But sadly he said he was use to this.
But anyway some of my cousin’s in Ecuador would talk about the black people who could rob them. Things like this. It was annoying and I would try to explain to them that’s not right and ignorant. But they didn’t listen or get it and laugh and see me an ignorant gringa. Some of my distant cousins were soooo racist and wasn’t apologetic about it. But to be clear it wasn’t just family!
A friend made some really f-up comments about a worker who was also their good friend, he was “moreno”. Since we were talking (having a nice conversation), the white (Ecuadorian) friend said something like oh you are trying to better your race and laughed at his friend’s face. The worker / friend was so angry and embarrassed. I yelled at the stupid ignorant friend. He was such a hole for saying that! But he just laughed, cuz he didn’t get it. Gunther was a sweet kind friend. How dare he say that about a friend and now my friend! Prob too Javi was jealous. 🙄
The only thing that was said to me by the men, I was a feminist and we were easy because gringa’s are easy 🙄.
But I can’t lie, I did have a good time.
Oh and my grandmother didn’t like my bf at the time, cuz he was too “moreno”, I married him 😂… I married the best person too! My abuela had bad taste in men anyway 😂 . Best
-sorry so long, I’m kind of old though 👵🏼.
You are brave to stand up for what's right. I know exactly the kind of people you are talking about. They think their racist jokes are funny/ cool & think they know everything about the world. I think what's worse is sometimes it can affect other areas of your life, job, school, etc. That's why it's important to call it out, as an adult we are use to it by now. But try being a 20 something year old who knows nothing about the world, it can be soul crushing.
As a black man living in Europe, I can say that I’ve been to Italy 8 times, north and south, and Spain 4 times…Never have I ever had the experiences you speak of. I even brought my parents with me one time (to Italy) and they said it was the time of their lives.
Not trying to invalidate anyone’s experiences, but rather remind people that this is just one black person’s experience, and while it is important for us to heed & consider other’s perspectives, we also need to be open minded enough to still give things a try so we can come to our own independent conclusions.
For those who are still curious about traveling while black though, let’s play devil’s advocate…let’s assume that this experience is 100% indicative of what every black person will experience in these countries, in the bigger picture, as black people, we need to stop waiting around until we’re “welcomed” and “invited” into a space before we feel comfortable enough to enter said space. When schools were first legally desegregated in America, the first of our ancestors to march into that space did so knowing full well that they were not welcome nor wanted there - but they persisted, despite. And that’s the way it needs to be and is gonna have to be if we want real progress. The hard way. No one is coming to save us and the world isn’t going to open their doors and welcome us in kindly - we have to burst it down. We cut ourselves out of so many rooms, opportunities, and communal progress because we keep waiting for others to make us feel welcome before we proceed. We’re going to be waiting forever if that’s our only strategy.
Black people - please stop waiting for the world to roll out the red carpet before you feel comfortable enough to show up in it.
Also, an additional note on China: China’s media & citizens are all very…VERY, heavily censored and monitored, so despite living in the modern age, they really do have very little access to the outside world. It is a widely known fact that all outside social media apps, entertainment, movies, music, streaming services, etc. are all blocked by the government and have been replaced with Chinese native versions made and controlled by their government. Doesn’t justify, but it does explain why they react so strangely when they see us.
I am a black like Lupita Nyongo (in complexion) woman who has had the privilege of traveling to all three of these countries. Spain and Italy several times, beginning in 2000 and more recently summer 2024. China was a 4 year block from 2005-2009.
My honest perception is that these countries have actually come a long way in improved race relations. In Spain and Italy, I was approached as a prostitute in 2000/2001. People, particularly men, would openly glare at me, ask how much I cost, and say lewd things. I sometimes left establishments in tears after waiting over an hour for service that never arrived. In China, people would say with disgust in their voices "so black," tell me they needed white teachers for jobs even if said white teachers had less education than me Chinese families would pay more money to have a white body in the room.
But I also had good times, met kind people, and allowed myself to be human and feel the good and the bad, and respond to it in a human way. So when it was time to travel again, I was open to revisiting these countries. I was shocked and amazed at how far they've come. My experiences have improved 10 fold. Blatant discrimination has become a rarity (still sometimes rare instances occur) for me.
However, like @ACM9407 I agree, we need to change the narrative. Not only do we need to stop waiting for other people to roll out the red carpet but, we also need to remember that whether we like it or not, we are ambassadors for other black people and we are not without privilege and options.
Enjoy your travel, and simply by being yourself (part of a diverse group with a diverse and rich history), you show that black people like leisure travel, study and work abroad, love, are open to experiencing new cultures. If you speak the language, you become an example that can't be ignored of someone who not only took the time but also has the capacity to learn another language, their language.
You have so many options on how you can choose to respond to negativity/racism: kindness, humor, teaching moment, fire with fire, ignore it, a blended response. But never forget "you" have the privilege and the option to decide this. You have a passport and the finances to take you wherever you choose to be. Many of the worst people are people who have not and may never be able to travel and experience the world like you can.
Wear this privilege like a badge of honor. You are not a victim, you are an ambassador, a trendsetter, an educator, and explorer, a tourist, an expat, a privileged human being who is kicking down the doors to go wherever you want to go, whenever you want to.
That being said, I love the recommendations to visit coutries with black people. Having received such a Eurocentric education, I'm only recently finding out about places like Equatorial Guinea. Maybe next summer I'll go there instead to practice my Spanish but not because I was warned off from Spain, but because "I" choose to.
In some ways you have missed the point of her message and have also invalidated the sentiment expressed in many of the comments, which is to give voice to the mental and emotional harm Black women experience while traveling to Italy, China and Spain. Yes, she does not speak for all Black women experiences in these countries BUT her experience is not an anomaly as shown from all the comments. While as a Black man you enjoy your experience in Europe, that is definitely not the experience of other Black men particularly darker complexion and African migrants. Acknowledge the experience of this woman and the other women who have commented without the lecture about how we need to keep an open mind and not wait to be welcomed. It’s 2024, I don’t care to spend my money “educating” or create cultural awareness to people who choose to be racist! Nah bruh. Life is too short and there are way too many other places to see. As for me and my hard earned money, I will go where I am welcomed and where people who look me are welcomed. Italy and Spain - I feel sorry for what awaits you in the future. By the way, I have traveled to both places in 1990 and early 2008, and my experience was not much different. God sees, hears and knows! It’s only a matter of time.
China is fairly self segregated from the rest of the world. Only the richest Chinese get to travel outside of the country. The country sees little tourism and immigration especially from black countries/people. And their media is very pretty down. They know Obama and NBA. And anywhere an international tourist is visiting in China, Chinese tourists are flocking in from the country’s backwaters to visit too, and they have probably never seen anyone not Chinese in real life. Anyone living in Shanghai or Beijing has sees black people fairly often. A tourist from a random town that Americans aren’t visiting certainly never has. The country has a 1 billion more people than USA, all the same ethnicity, and is pretty closed off. The behavior is undoubtedly weird but the curiosity is honestly understandable.
You have Piers Morgan, Andrew Tate and Austin Duham saved to your playlist (yup I sure did look that up like a creep) you are either not really black, not for woman, or not for other POCs. Either way, I don’t put too much stock into your words. If these are your supposed “idols” and I hope other impressionable youth will see through the thin veneer or pseudo activism masquerading as blind justice. Please.
@@yungrichnbroke5199 This is true.
I definitely had racist expetiences in England, Spain, Italy, China, Germany, Switzerland.
I’m glad you are safe and that Italy didn’t break because Queen here you are🎉🎉🎉🎉
I’m sorry to hear about your experience. I spent three weeks in Madrid back in 2014 and, fortunately, did not encounter any racism during my stay. At that time, there were many African immigrants in the city, but my interactions were all positive. Madrid is such a beautiful city, and I empathize with how such an experience could overshadow your trip.
While there, I also visited a small town outside Madrid with my ex-girlfriend who is Spanish and local, where I was the only Black person in the town. Despite this, I was treated kindly, although I was with my ex at the time. In Madrid, however, I spent a lot of time exploring on my own while she worked, and it was a truly enjoyable experience.
That said, I’ve experienced overt racism in places like Miami, where I’ve been ignored or refused service. It’s left me hesitant to visit Miami again, even more so than traveling to Madrid. Conversely, I visited Hobart in Australia, where I was also the only Black person in sight, but I found it to be a welcoming and wonderful place to explore on my own.
I haven’t traveled much over the past decade but hope to do so again. Still, the state of the world and the persistence of discrimination make me anxious at times. Thank you for sharing your experience-it’s an important reminder of the complexities of travel as a person of color.
My wife and I went to Italy twice and never got treated poorly. A white woman in Florence called out to my wife and said she was beautiful. My wife is African and I'm Indian and we are both from Trinidad and Tobago .
Spain is a mess. My experience was crazy too! I was good in Italy and I heard China was a MESS TOO!
I had this EXACT same experience in Madrid. People did not say anything terrible. They just acted as if I didn't exist and did it to other POC. My partner is white passing(blue eyes and all). A waiter came up asking for our order and walked away when I started giving mine. We walked off. This happened in different restaurants. Barcelona and Sitges were nicer than Madrid but they were not for me. I went to Israel and it was by far my worst experience. I'm black with an Arabic name. I got dropped by 11 Ubers until I changed my name and deleted my photo in the app. The driver was pissed when I was the one to open the car door amongst the crowd at the airport. People ignored me for others in stores, I was talked down to, my tour guide in Jerusalem berated me for not keeping track of the only other Black person on the tour who was from Africa until I snapped back and a couple from the Netherlands backed up what I was saying. I know S. Korea is often mentioned. I had a great time in Seoul but don't want to discount others who have been there or traveled to smaller towns/cities and had negative experiences. I've only been to the Italian Boot Cuff? "Panhandle"??(confused in Floridian) and had a neutral experience. I may try Florence but I've heard enough about Rome to not be interested in spending my money there.
I've heard from Italians that people from Southern Italy often get called racist names despite being from THE SAME COUNTRY because there are more POC/mixed race people. I always wanted to visit but I get enough American racism, I don't need the foreign kind too
It’s not so much cause of being mixed (since very little of us are), but mostly because we have a different culture. Southern Italy was its own kingdom before late 1800s when it got conquered by Northern Italy(which was divided in multiple little kingdoms before they also got conquered by Savoia). So in Italy there’s a lot of discrimination between different areas of the country.
Terrone is the slur for us Southern Italians, but we don’t get offended by it anymore and actually use it jokingly with each other 😂
@MrReset94 did you reply to my personal anecdote about Italians racism, where I spoke about the experience shared with me by actual dark skinned Italians, on a video discussing Italian racism...to explain to me that the discrimination is in fact not race based?
I'll agree there are cultural differences. I am happy for you if you say you have not felt the prejudice personally. However, don't discount other people's lived experiences.
I went to Italy for a study abroad trip during my junior year of college. Thankfully none of the locals treated me poorly, and I was the only Black student on the trip.
There are different shades of black. That is also a factor in how you'll be treated.
Your skin is beautiful 😍
Great video this is why we offer travel and relocation services to Kenya 🇰🇪, one of the leading countries for Black folks to travel to. Keep educating sis!!
I'm supporting my fellow beginner RUclipsr. Keep pushing ❤ Subscribed!
Thank you for the support! Subscribing to your page as well!
@ncolphillip thanks
I have been to Spain about 4 times. I have only had a weird and obvious service issue once with one bartender at one bar. I do think that if they suspect you are American (with American dollars) and not African, who they have various historical and immigration related prejudices against) they are likely to treat you better. Mind you, i have only spent an evening in Madrid before flying out. The majority of my travels have been elsewhere. Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Potes, Cordoba, Gijon, San Sebastian, Logrono, Segovia, Valladolid ...and I am sure a bunch of little towns we stopped in that i can't remember. Barcelona is not friendly. Towards any outsiders of any kind. Do not recommend. Logrono, Cordoba, Segovia and Santiago de Compostela, highly recommend. Again. Not pretending Spanish people aren't racist. Likely colorist also. I am just happy if folks manage to keep their racism to themselves. It's everywhere. And i hate that the poster was treated that way when she spent her hard earned cash to relax and have a good time.
Sorry you had to deal with that terrible treatment! Egypt can be extremely difficult for black people. Your video will help many other travellers, thank you for your honesty.
Been telling people for years that Spain and Italy are the 2 countries in Europe that no Black person should ever go to.