Blackness is a multitude of experiences. It is everything and all things that unite, yet differentiate who we are as a people.
We come with a ray of different languages, cultures, history, and phenotypes. To see all these aspects through travel is a manifestation of our complexities and adaptiveness.
So much about traveling to different parts of the world teaches us about ourselves and how we must navigate our environment. We all walk this Earth with our own unique challenges, perspectives, and purpose, and they’re all worth learning from.
From growing up in the USA, traveling, and living abroad, here’s what I’ve personally learned about Blackness abroad.
Black culture is literally everywhere
It’s no lie that Black culture has reached every corner of the world. Whether it’s from music, dance, fashion, hair, etc., everyone capitalizes from it. It’s like the world knows all about Black culture, but cannot seem to match a face to where it all comes from.
I can’t deny that the globalization of Black culture isn’t a beautiful thing. It’s impactful and widely appreciated for the mere fact that it is creative.
With that same regard, it’s frustrating to see the world show so much of a disconnect to the people who are behind the creativity.
Anyone can jam and get jiggy to a good hip-hop song, but it makes you wonder how people can love the creation but not the creator. If much of the world realized how Black culture and art live rent-free in their everyday lives, how much would they feed into the misinformation? One can only wonder.
Be prepared if people don’t understand nor accept your Blackness
Not too long ago I was having a conversation with my Chinese co-worker who shows a great interest in Black culture. Listens to Black artists, does the dab occasionally. You know the hip stuff.
In his attempt to understand what it means to be Black, he mentioned how one of the foreign teachers is 100%, Black. I came to understand he was referring to the fact that the man was of a darker complexion. Because he had dark skin he obviously could be associated with being “purely Black”, and with African heritage.
He then proceeds by stating, “So you and *insert coworker who is half Black* are *insert a percentage* Black”. He was now referring to us not being as dark in complexion, therefore not “fully Black”. Well, at least he got it half right…
Another incident I had was in the market with a shop owner. The man asked me about my presence in China and where I was from. When telling him I am American wasn’t enough, I added that I’m of Ethiopian descent.
From the look on his face, he looked confused. He asked if I was an Arab living in Ethiopia, but I made it clear that I am Black African. To my surprise, he then pointed to his skin and said “But you are not black”.
In both situations, I did my best to explain what I could, but sometimes you can only do so much and that can still not be enough.
The confusion about my Blackness is always a discussion whether abroad or in the USA. People will only understand what they are open to learning. Blackness is not a monolith, nor is it your duty to prove that to anyone. The only responsibility you have is to speak your truth, and only hope others will acknowledge you for who you are.
You must be confident in your Blackness
No matter what your Blackness looks like.
For the longest time, I had a hard time calling my experience a Black experience for many reasons. One, because people don’t assume I’m Black at first glance. And two, people don’t believe me or try to disassociate my experience as being Black. For the longest time, I never knew what to say in these situations, so they left me speechless.
These situations also confirmed to me the kinds of reckless things people are comfortable saying. I’m completely aware of how a person’s appearance affects everything from how they are treated to the privileges they have; let’s make that clear. Although, the problem lies when a person’s history, culture, and overall existence are disregarded.
For those exact reasons, I had to develop confidence in owning my Black narrative. The reality is, if you don’t know my history nor the context of where I come from, you don’t know anything. Nor, can make claims of what I am or am not.
It’s necessary to refuse the push-back and confront ignorant comments, whether from others who identify as Black or not. In doing so, I found greater peace and appreciation for my individuality, culture, and history. Most importantly, who I am has nothing to do with others.
Anti-Blackness is very much alive
If you’re a Black or Brown foreigner in a country where being Black is a novelty, it’s likely you’ve experienced people fascinated by your appearance, especially your skin color.
Simultaneously, people may show an appreciation for you, but it doesn’t mean your melanated skin is accepted within their own beauty standards and culture.
As many know, China’s beauty standards lean heavily towards Eurocentric features. Having pale skin, a long nose, double eyelids, and especially white skin. To have the slightest tan, you will be considered “dark” or think you are “too” dark to be considered beautiful.
As an outsider, it does pain me to hear this. Although, this isn’t anything new. Anti-blackness is everywhere, and prevalent in some cultures more than others. No matter where we go, we’ll still have to navigate around it. Even in our homes…
Personally, I never expected myself to move to China for reasons directly related to anti-Blackness and Islamaphobia. I was born in L.A, and though Chinatown was our go-to-market, I knew how I felt walking down the streets, even at a young age.
Although, only accepting those memories would have done me a disservice. If choosing to avoid anti-Blackness was possible, I’m sure I wouldn’t be writing about this.
Travel is a time to learn, teach, and create space even if that means having to experience challenges. Cherish the good, and learn from the not-so-good.
Seeing other Black travelers is a highlight
Traveling and having the privilege of seeing the world is wonderful, but coming across other Black and Brown travelers like myself are empowering. It’s not every day you see the media considerably highlighting our existence in many parts of the world. Yet, we still out here showing up.
Prior to moving to China, I relied on other Black and Brown experiences to give me the comfort I needed if I was going to follow through with moving abroad. Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook groups were all a blessing to have.
I started following people like Oneika Raymond, Jessica Nabongo, Jakiya aka Traveling Fro, and Hijabi in Seoul City, and their stories resonated with my desire to travel and live abroad.
Down the line, I started finding more people who inspired my journey, such as Hijabi Globetrotter and Wayfaring Green Soul. All the women I’ve listed came with wonderful and authentic personalities, and that’s what I valued.
There is a need for a collective community that shows you to be fearless of the world out there. It’s important and necessary for anyone to know that you’re not completely experiencing anything alone.
Bad experiences will make you question yourself
It’s obviously a challenge to be in places where your identity may not be fully accepted. No one wants a bad time, heck, we’re only here for a short time.
The way people treat you, sometimes makes you question what the hell you’re doing there in the first place. It’s everything from microaggressions, racial slurs, xenophobia, sexual harassment, etc.
My first year in China was the roughest. I may have adapted fairly quickly to the lifestyle, although many little things frustrated and annoyed me to the core.
An incident I’ll never forget was when I was waiting by the sidewalk for a taxi. It was during rush hour and no one was stopping for me. At the red light, traffic stopped and I caught a man looking out his window and watching me with disgust.
That day I hated China.
Even though the bad experiences never outweighed the good, some of the intolerable moments made it feel like it did. I obviously chose to fight the hurt and power through, otherwise, I would have entirely left the country.
I also had to come to terms that I’m only responsible and in control of how I act. We can be anywhere in the world, and unpleasant people and experiences will always be there.
At the end of the day, people will act how they want to and that’s none of my business. All I know is, I won’t allow their bad juju to stop my greatness.
For the many beautiful reasons I choose to travel and live abroad, I can’t disregard the less desirable aspects that come with the experience.
There is so much wisdom in the world, likewise so much ignorance. I genuinely believe no person intends to cause harm. Unfortunately, because of what we’ve subconsciously and consciously been taught, we act in ways that are harmful.
Google may be free, but a lot of times people have to physically see to learn and move past what they think is the only truth. I recognize that when I travel and meet new people.
Those brief, yet powerful exchanges make so much of a difference. Even if the effect isn’t immediate. I live for these moments because I know that if I’m learning something new, someone else is learning as well.
All of this makes a greater difference when we are conscious of who we are and why we choose to show up in the places we do.
Though I may not understand everything there is to know in this world, I understand my responsibility of sharing the little light of knowledge I do have.
