Racism in Italy

Kira,

I can't offer the benefit of any "first hand experience", as I'm a solo traveller so my situation is different. However based on my observations, I suspect you'd be fine travelling in Italy. The locals would quickly realize that you're tourists and therefore not part of their "community". However, there's always the potential of an incident, but I suppose that could be true in the U.S. as well.

You might send a note to Rick's staff, as they would have lots more experience with this issue.

Good luck and hope you decide to visit Italy!

There are degrees of racial/religious tensions of one sort or another everywhere. As tourists with money to spend I don't believe you'll have any trouble especially if mostly sticking to the tourist trail. I know an inter-racial couple that traveled all through Europe for three weeks, and didn't encounter any problems. Oddly most locals assumed they were Dutch:)

Kira, my boss is half of a multiracial couple; he is white and she is black. They went to Italy a couple of years ago and had a wonderful time with no "issues". Their trip included Florence and the Tuscan countryside, Venice, and Lake Como---not Sicily or Palermo.

That said, I will observe that there is some resentment toward African immigrants, and it may be particularly prevalent in the south.

I hope someone with experience can advise you about Sicily.

Kira - check out Ron In Rome website http://www.roninrome.com/. He is an American living in Italy with his wife. You can contact him from the website and he may be able to give you some reassurances even though his primary area of expertise is Rome. He is very friendly and his website is very informative.

I don't think you will have any problems it all. It's obvious that you are tourists, the areas where some people may encounter racism (trying to find housing or a legit job) you won't be dealing with at all. Many of the stories you hear are related to illegal immigrants and are similar in sentiment to stories that we hear in the US about people crossing over the boarder from Mexico or coming into Miami on rafts.
As for attending a football game, while you occasionally hear stories about the fans being hostile to players on the field, I have never heard of any incidents in stadiums where fans have been targeted because of their race. Italians in general are open, accepting people, in many ways more so than people in the US. You will be fine travelling together.

I have been traveling in Europe, especially Italy, for 30 years and the Europeans seem to be more tolerant than we are concerning this issue. My family comes from Calabria and I usually go there every summer. Calabria is located just across the Med from northern Africa, especially Morocco. There are many Moroccan immigrants living there and over the years I've notice more bi-racial couples with bi-racial children. All seem to have been assimilated into the country. Italy also has a skinhead population like everyone else. Chances are you will not be traveling to Calabria, but in my travels this has not been a big deal.

Go and have fun.

Buon viaggio,

RB

Hi Kira,

I'm biracial (half black and half white) i've been to Italy many times over the years with my parents (an interracial couple). I myself have been with my boyfriend (who is white) many times and will be going again in the fall. In my many visits I have never ever had a single issue. If anything, the men there are overly friendly. Even in southern cities everyone was very warm and welcoming.

The current racial tensions in Italy are mostly between the native italians and the north african immigrants. Unfortunate, yes, but i don't think you have anything to worry about.

Hope this helps!

Best,

Taylor

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

I really feel much better now. I knew I could count on getting some good (and supportive) advice from the folks on ricksteves.com - thanks again!