African-American Tourists

Hi Estella,

Everyone's experience is different, so it's hard to say. And you should absolutely come no matter what. But do be braced for treatment that might be a little different from what you're used to. (Although, maybe not - it's not as if the US is perfect in this regard!) I've noticed a lot of racist behavior, but targeted mostly at Bangladeshis and Roma people, who are much more visible and seemingly populous in Rome (where I live) than those of African descent.

And I've seen things go either way. A dark-skinned former roommate of mine, for example, told me he'd been stopped by police on the street twice on his way to the apartment, just because he was carrying big suitcases and they thought he looked suspicious. (Suffice it to say I've never heard of any light-skinned friends being stopped so randomly before).

Then again, I recently traveled for 4 days to a little town in Sardinia with my best friend, who happens to be African-American. I thought we'd get funny looks as a white female traveling with a black male, but the people could not have been friendlier or sweeter to us the entire trip.

So - it really depends. As anywhere, just be prepared, have a sharp comment that you can throw back if you are mistreated, and don't let it deter you from visiting such a beautiful country!

www.revealedrome.com

Just a thought: that it's helpful to have comments from residents of Europe (see the 1st post) on this particular subject. I'm going to guess most people posting here aren't African-American, so it's difficult for us to answer this kind of question, since we don't have personal experience.

Maybe these will help:

1) The OP may find it helpful to browse the Minority Travelers Forum on this site:

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti15.html

2) And here's a prior discussion of this subject, specific to Italy:

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/33575/women-of-color-traveling-to-amalfi-coast-and-surroundings.html

"One-third of the US population is non-white, compared to less than 5 percent of people living in Europe." (Rick Steves from the People of Color section of his book Europe Through the Back Door 2009.

More of Rick's take on this:

"Travelers of color and mixed-race couples tell me that their most common source of discomfort in Europe is staring. * * * * For many Europeans, you're just not what they're used to seeing."

"Another frustration reported by travelers of color is racial profiling, particularly at border crossings or airport security."

You may be able to find destination-specific reports at:

www.blacktravels.com/

I have noticed a lot of Africans (from Africa and mostly males) who sell counterfeit purses, etc. on the streets. You want to make certain that you are not mistaken for these people as they are treated like Gypsies and are considered low-life. In this case, it might be a good idea to make certain that people with whom you interact know, subtly, that you are an American traveling abroad (without screaming, "I'm an American!"). Someone else might want to chime in on this point. Even Oprah Winfrey, of all people, had an incident in a Hermes store in Paris several years ago, where she was treated very badly. The store apologized and tried to explain away what they did, but the damage had already been done. I can think of several things that EVERYONE should try to do when traveling, which are to carry oneself well without being arrogant, dress well, and be friendly with the locals. If you still find yourself being treated in a shabby manner, don't put up with it, but try to brush it off as ignorance.

I can think of many instances where my wife and I, both well dressed, 50 year old, pasty white, Pacific NorthWesterners, have been treated rather badly by grumpy proprietors or clerks.
If I was someone of color, I might have attributed this to prejudice, but some Italians just seem to be equally rude to everybody. Some museums are strange in that they have people that sit all day and just stare at you. Like you are going to steal something, touch something or sneak a photograph. It is very creepy and they follow you around. Some of the younger people are just pissed off all the time since they have to work for the family business and would rather be else where. Some of the smaller rail system clerks can be down right nasty since they know they can never be fired. I don't know how you would be able to tell the reasons as to why some people are being rude. Met lots of people of different backgrounds at the morning breakfasts. They all seemed to be having fun but also seem to be having the same occasional encounters with mean people.

We've been pulled aside and questioned at airports. Which we found to be rather amusing since the interrogator was so serious.

I wouldn't travel alone though. I say that just because a shared experience is an infinitely better and richer experience.

You shouldn't have a problem. Most of the "racism" here is directed towards the Africans who are here illegally and are seen in the big cities selling cheap knockoff bags and other crap. You might get a little in the south around Napoli but if they know you are American tourists they won't bother you. Just don't come over expecting to find racism under every rock and you'll enjoy yourself a lot more.

This is just an assumption on my part, but I have a feeling that Italians are able to spot an American tourist no matter what their race may be.

I am an African-American female and I have spent a total of 2 months in Italy over the past year or so, and I have not once encountered racism. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I was never a victim of it.

We've been in larger cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Naples, but we've also visited smaller places like Orvieto and Viterbo. I have to admit that 99.9% of the people I encountered thought I was South American, or southern Italian, or assume that when I said American it meant I was raised there but my parents are from somewhere else. Some would even try to argue me with over it (in a good-natured way of course!). So yes it is possible for an American tourist to not look like an American tourist.

I was told (by some female Italian friends of mine) that darker skin is sometimes viewed as exotic (which would explain that hordes (literally, HORDES!) of men who would stare flirtatiously, pinch my cheeks or just outright grab my hand and ask for a date, and I am no Beyonce, so it wasn't due to extravagant beauty on my part. If that doesn't bother you (didn't bother me hahaha!) then you are in good shape.I am not light skin, but I am not dark either, so that could be a factor (as a previous poster mentioned, there does tend to be some racial tension towards Africans). There were a few shopkeepers who were a little "curt" but I didn't lend it to the fact that I am black. It could have been any number of reasons. I am not sterotyping Italians or their views of dark skin for the good or bad, but I am just giving you my experience. Of course I took the needed precautions that everyone should take (watch your purse, keep a money pouch, etc...) but I did not once felt uncomfortable or unsafe with regard to the color of my skin. Have a great time!!!!

You are much more likely to be treated (mostly well) as an American.

Even though you are an African-American, it will be clear (based on your size, your voice inflections, your clothing choices and even your skin tone) that you are American and not African.

For good or bad, you won't be able to hide the fact that you are an American tourist any more than the rest of us.