Why Don't Some Black People Travel?
This idea that black people don’t travel is a pretty pervasive idea, as evident by the number of links that come up after doing a quick Google search of the topic. But, does this idea really hold any truth in it? I know with most of my extended family members, they’ve never really traveled outside the U.S.A, let alone outside their state (excluding the occasional trip back south for funerals). With this, I began to wonder why is it that so few African Americans have travel on their radar of things to do in life? As I somewhat already knew, it is probably something in the cultural fabric of African Americans where travel isn’t necessary top priority as well as a mix of preconceived notions that we sometimes hold of other areas based on the way America operates.
As I mentioned, there seems to be a lack of interests in travel among some of us within the African American community. In talking to my parents about traveling abroad I’m always met with unenthusiastic replies that often sound as if traveling is something outside the realm of possibility for them. I also see this with my family and friends where they think that traveling to another country is this odd, obscure thing that isn’t even a consideration. You would think I asked them if I could borrow money. But, after taking a deeper look and considering the role traveling abroad played in the lives of African Americans historically, things began to make more sense. Historically, African Americans in the United States really never had the luxury to travel because we were too busy trying to gain our rights and have an adequate life here in America. With the pressure of trying to figure out the best job opportunities and balancing that with changing a system that was built against us, I can see how travel never was on the “To-Do” list. Also, I think there is a culture in America period where travel isn’t prioritized. Most Americans are ignorant to the fact that there are other people in the world that live happily and comfortably. With the media propaganda machine showing Americans nothing but the worst of the worst of other countries, we have grown up with the idea that America is the safest and best place to live in the world and any other country is subpar or ancient. I have so many American friends who don’t believe that other people around the world have access to television and entertainment as we do. Due to all of these factors, it is no wonder why travel hasn’t really been something African Americans yearn to do.
In addition to these factors, it seems that many African Americans have this belief that everyone outside the United States is racist and that they would be attacked if they decided to travel abroad—this could not be farther from the truth. In America, we have a history of slavery and discrimination against black people, and that idea permeates every aspect of our being in America. Because we grow up with that mindset, we automatically think that if we go anywhere else, we will face worse discrimination since that is all we know and since we sometimes consider other countries to be somewhat not as advanced as we are. But, it is important to remember, many other countries have not the same political history with race that America has. In fact, the worst racism you’ll ever face would probably be right here in America, where politicizing race was actually spearheaded and is now the way of life. Of course you’ll face ignorant people everywhere that may say something racist, but that is just it; it’s not backed by a whole system and history that America is.
Overall, although these factors seem to keep some African Americans from traveling and seeing the wonders of the world, I am hopeful as generations move forward that we all start to truly understand that we are all in this wonderful world together and what better way to show appreciation of one’s culture but to actually travel and indulge yourself in that culture.
Once I got notified that I would be teaching English in South Korea, the next big decision to make would be to decide where I would be living in South Korea. Historically, many foreigners interested in traveling here are primarily concerned with living in Seoul. In fact, many people who are even somewhat familiar with South Korea are often times only aware of Seoul.