Black travelers and POC beware: Italy, Spain & China

[@GinaCriv]

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.

[@1FDerek]

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.

[@karenno]

Wow. What an awful experience. I'm sorry.

[@ot8479]

Matters are getting worse instead.

[@justisiempre4105]

@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.

[@kuunami]

30 years from now it will still be the same.

[@Neila942]

I think we need a “Green Book” for international travel.

[@djeanpierre]

Good idea.

[@jocelynjones2825]

Certainly wouldn't hurt!

[@SheIsFearfullyWonderfullyMade]

Yeap I’ve seen a few videos like this and always take a mental note! I’m a flight attendant for a major US airline and I am frequently treated as second class citizen compared to how they treat my white coworkers I primarily work domestic flights nowadays but the poorer the country the worst I was treated… central America and latin America hate black Americans

[@pitpride1220]

Yes, you'll be avoiding a large part of landmass.

[@Chann223]

Foreal!

[@warrenandyiching]

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!

[@theeverydayalpha]

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.

[@wandaherbert9681]

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.

[@seuconrado3365]

Excellent rule!

[@frenchgirl5878]

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.

[@gibson2675]

Why do they always visit non black states​@@theeverydayalpha

[@habibijan]

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!).

[@janellimarie]

That part! Not risking it!

[@georgiamarierx9682]

I been there and she’s not lying

[@Jacqueline-xb5nk]

I am mixed race and was treated like dirt in Spain along with my mother. It was absolutely horrible. I was so disappointed because I love their TV and food. Even in the museums, we were followed like criminals.

[@airari24]

When I was in Spain as a native Spanish speaker, my family who lived there for decades (some born there) advised me to carry around identification bc they were stopping ppl who were of the African diaspora and accusing them of being illegal immigrants at that time (i think also detaining them but my memory is blurry on that part). Like this was a few years ago and this was an issue apparently. And don't get me started on Italy. Most racist experience abroad so far. And I had a an adult cousin living there who could orient me but I thought the whole time "how do you LIVE here?"

[@OpinionatedNomad]

They don't like BM either not just BW.

[@ninibugg6203]

That's why when people say racism is an American thing, I just roll my eyes...

[@Chuck.Mast3r]

Exactly. Some people are absolutely clueless because they just don't interact enough with other circles of people to know any better.

[@kaiajackson8538]

I know that's right!

[@MiketheMadness]

Bruh racism in america is a THING. Visiting from London I was grossed out by the way blacks in America both behave and are treated, and you guys have normalized it to the point you don't even get when it's right in front of you. EDIT: My bad, misread the comment. Thought it said "Isn't an American thing"

[@bal9944]

It's not other ethnicities fault if you are ugly..just wake up! What do you expect?? Have you ever seen women from other race? They are beautiful....long natural hair...they don't need makeup or fake hair. You should assume you are ugly for the majority of people, don't complain if that happens to you

[@MiketheMadness]

@@bal9944 Christ what a sad comment. Good luck with your mind

[@danielx555]

I have blond hair and blue eyes and I can testify that Latin and Asian cultures are extremely anti black. When I taught in South Korea, for instance, the schools always requested a photograph of a teacher before they hired them. Because they had a no blacks policy. When I discovered that, it really made me mistrust everything. Because I have blond hair, people feel free to say really racist things to me about black people. It's depressing. Stay safe.

[@jfm14]

I hear you, my brother and I are unambiguously white and we've both noticed a lot of strangers seem to feel free to rip the mask off when talking to either of us. Racists think everyone is secretly as hateful as they are and that we're all just feigning basic decency in our day-to-day interactions with POC and especially black people.

[@MONSTERKILLERMFLEXJR]

​@@jfm14Thats sad, I had spoken to people who were out right racist and believed every sterotype about black people. The carelessness when they do just confuses me, it felt like it was going away and then something happened in 2020. Ever since then a lot of people seem to be wayyyyyy more cormfortable with admiting it again, and I am a POC...

[@bqing87]

@@jfm14a close friend of mine is half white/black and many white folks thinks she’s Asian of some form but similarly people will say the most heinous stuff to her about us. Hell even joining random discords, especially if the make up of the people or White or Asian American it takes about 3-5 mins for someone to say something racist about black people. It’s exhausting and tiring and they’ll just assume you’re not black so you hear all their bs. Hell when I used to go out when I lived in Jersey, if the group was mostly white that i was being introduced to one of the dudes would ALWAYS, like clockwork, say something racist or passive aggressive as a joke. I had stopped going out on weekends for a long time cause of that ish because it was just exhausting.

[@MsZephyra]

​@@bqing87Would you push back? And how would they respond?

[@AroundTheWorldWithEase]

I'm Caucasian btw, and am a big traveler, and have witnessed racism in literally every country I've visited. However, I didn't need to leave home here in LA to witness xenaphobic behavior, as we're infamously racist, and dumbfoundingly multicultural yet also wildly segregated. The LA school system has 154 languages. But there are countries I've been where you just don't even see one person of color. It's very disturbing.

[@so.many.obstacles]

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.

[@Pace2Bass]

💯

[@mj1s735]

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.

[@VBoo459]

The only smart one here! like who cares if people don't sit next to you? thats fine by me lol more space for me. As for the pictures, it can be annoying tbh but I also know that truly some people have NEVER seen black people in real life. Thats reality for some.

[@natedogg890]

I'm happy you had mostly respectful encounters in Singapore and SE Asia. It's not just because you are Black, I am a Canadian of Malaysian descent and when I brought my then girlfriend ( now wife ;) ), who is a caucasian Canadian, to Malaysia and Singapore with me, she similarly had many locals take pictures with her. Some of them would thrust a camera or phone into my hands without a word and then pose with my wife and ask me to take their photo haha People in SE Asia are generally very very warm and curious about other people and cultures. I lived in Malaysia for a while with my aunt as a teenager, and I was treated like a celebrity because I was from Canada. There were several Nigerian oil workers and their families around and we would go to church together every week and I would babysit their kids, we still keep in touch. Racism, as we experience it in the West, is generally not really a thing there, as many years of colonialism has made them understand what it is like to be a second class citizen in their own country

[@Sleipnirseight]

Anyone I've met who is from Indonesia is cool AF. From what I understand their culture is generally a lot more chill and accepting of different people, particularly when it comes to gender expression and trans people, which the vast majority of other cultures around the world are not accepting of.

[@KidMuscleCombat]

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!!

[@OntheWingsofDoves]

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.

[@trevad.mcadoo1750]

Didn't care for Israel, but liked Palestine!! Hate the war😢

[@Covers-and-Commentary]

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!!

[@AlyAly]

You're always welcome in Egypt, where black people built those wonders.

[@KidMuscleCombat]

@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.

[@carolperdue7534]

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.

[@PatriciaIvory-m3z]

@carolpetdue 7534 Preach !! 💣💥✨️

[@PatriciaIvory-m3z]

Correction: carolperdue7534

[@imhassane]

I had the opposite experience in Spain.

[@iloveyou281000]

@@imhassaneGood for you, you were the exception. I guess you have to be the exception in this world 🌎

[@msangthrope5396]

Same. If a country isn't vetted safe for black travelers,I'm not going.

[@aprilharris4675]

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! ❤🙏🏼🌿

[@thegoddessdiana9185]

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".

[@giannis_tar]

May I ask what happened in Greece? (I’m greek)

[@dionysuseros7423]

@@thegoddessdiana9185 Do you mind saying what happened in Greece? Also, were you in a major city or on an island?

[@thacrypt223]

I absolutely love the Netherlands too. Alway feel welcome and safe there. Another place that surprised me was Beograd. Malaga is also a lot better than Madrid or Barcelona. Lots of Maroccan people there, maybe that is why I felt more welcome.

[@feliznavidad6958]

Let's also be honest, colorism is a key here too. It annoys me when fellow light mixed people or light black people are like "Well, my treatment wasn't that bad." Like mixed people aren't black and light skinned black people aren't going to be treated as poorly most of the time. My mom is a DSBW and had a white man say to her "yours in the worst race" while I've mainly been praised by white people because I'm mixed race (though white ppl can be racist to mixed people too). I'm very sorry. Humans still pretend like most of them aren't shitty. The silence of others is awful.

[@moni5620]

We appreciate your honesty. Most biracials will gaslight like Exoticals united

[@mrstevens70]

You're speaking truth. Circumstances have alot to do with how you're treated in these foreign countries. If you're light or you're attractive, rich, or even in the military you get treated differently than an average brown or dark skin person. It sucks, but unfortunately it's true.🤨

[@BestBecky78]

That is true... I have a lighter complexion and I didn't realize how I was treated vs my darker-skinned friends until I was grown. That goes for skinny, thick, and obese. People treat heavy people differently than someone of a smaller weight. It's not right at all.

[@radias2589]

Im not light skinned, but im a brown skined black person, and i had a good time over there.

[@CoClock]

My Mum is a lighty and so am I. She took me multiple times to Italy from a young age so I fell in love with the country. I proposed to my DS wife there, we had our honeymoon there. I’ve had majority positive experiences out there (more so in smaller towns than in cities) but let’s face it, that colourism is RIFE in people’s minds. No denying it. Being aware of my “privilege” can help make sure I don’t get too comfortable, or conceited.

[@novice024]

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.

[@firestar7774]

I believe you!

[@broughttoyoubynmblake]

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.

[@marceltresvant8581]

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.

[@novice024]

@@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.

[@marceltresvant8581]

@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.

[@brianlawson4368]

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.

[@thegoddessdiana9185]

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.

[@brianlawson4368]

@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.

[@brianlawson4368]

@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.

[@brianlawson4368]

@@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 KZbin has deleted all my answers.

[@BPTB1]

@@thegoddessdiana9185 No one is talking about Jews here, the op was referring to when Mussolini went full Jim Crow in the Italian colonies of East Africa (Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia) just after the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.

[@fullmooneve1651]

As a European, I'm so sorry for how you were treated. It's disgusting

[@bookinsights1092]

As a European, I'm not sorry how she was treated. Europe for Europeans.

[@fullmooneve1651]

@bookinsights1092 I don't care what cowards think 🤷

[@strawb1rrycake]

@@bookinsights1092 She went there for vacation, what about the European that travel to Bali, South Africa and etc.? Please use your logic my guy.

[@purplemist7]

​@@bookinsights1092Stay in Europe, then. Good luck with the Putin situation.

[@appleo7168]

Don’t be sorry

[@allanc2827]

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

[@kevinadams9468]

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?

[@randymccloud5743]

​@@kevinadams9468we can say he WASN'T stopped, because of the color of his skin. So...there's that.

[@stripedpolkadots8692]

@@kevinadams9468probably his age, kids can be silly.

[@Sykboogie]

​@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.

[@joshuakathenya2684]

​@@kevinadams9468this is most absurd and see no evil hear no evil comment pretending that racism is not core and alive in Europe is weird

[@sandramilfort9261]

Even Oprah was disrespected in Italy. Keep up the good work 👍🏾

[@Stephen2727]

Nope. It was Switzerland.

[@marceltresvant8581]

@@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.

[@ncolphillip]

A good reminder that it doesn’t matter how much money or status you have when dealing with racism and prejudice

[@MrReset94]

Baby, status means nothing…especially when you are a celebrity only in your own country and maybe a couple more.

[@marllon9786]

​@@marceltresvant8581 Oprah was also discriminated against at the Hermès boutique in Paris.

[@lexusgibz2745]

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.

[@soulchild2003]

Which city did this happen please?

[@lexusgibz2745]

Milan and Malcesine

[@BrooklynJPakathi]

italy is THE WORST!

[@frenchgirl5878]

@@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...

[@1FDerek]

​@@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.

[@rogermarine1443]

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.😊

[@DerekThoms]

Bantu.. but Gotcha

[@vmat6684]

​@DerekThoms No, not all are Bantu.

[@lenaprice6239]

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...

[@TT_09]

@@lenaprice6239 Agreed as a Kenyan American, Kenya does us dirty!

[@capoislamort100]

@@DerekThoms What kind of comment is that?

[@StewNWT]

I am a tall white doctor from Canada’s Northwest Territories - I’m gay but am ‘masc presenting’, such as it is. I lived in Australia for 7 years and let me tell you the overt homophobia and racism there was stark compared with Canada. (And for the record I would be the first to tell you Canada has racism too, it was just a lot worse in Australia.) Australia is an incredibly transactional society - everyone there loved to take and take and kick you when you’re down. They’re the last English speaking country in the world to pass gay marriage. They constantly blame immigrants for problems they themselves created. They are descended from prison colonists and it shows. The number of times I had white Australians tell me they were so glad they got me instead of one of of the ‘black or brown’ docs - only for me to tell them I was an immigrant myself 😒

[@pulse4503]

Australia Is very young, I Guess It Will catch up with North america very soon

[@Ecozivero]

I’m black and feminine gay man I’m not ugly and you’re right, the racism and homophobia in Australia is crazy even today. Such a disgrace. 😢

[@cielvanhills9284]

I loved it when you said that the next time people take a photo of you, you should ask them if you can do the same and see the response. It's not a badge of honor; it is weird and she is right, the internet and Tv have been around for way too long for them to be curious about black people

[@AZ-rg3rf]

Its one thing to see it on TV/internet and another to see it in person. They do the same to all of the white folks as well.

[@lokijordan]

Our representation on the Internet and TV (particularly in Rap videos) may be a large part of the misperception problem. More positive images have only recently been the norm for Black people.

[@rubatsch1713]

Oh you would be surprised how rare it is for some people to ever interact with a black person. I can remember taking a Taxi in Croatia, I spoke Croatian with the cab driver because I decided to learn it before going on vacation there. At some point mid conversation he says "I really love black people, cause you guys all speak our language well." Then he proceeded to tell me that he knew ONE MORE black person (his friend's wife) and she speaks Croatian too. Don't judge these people for being genuinely curious. And keep in mind the way you behave, your personality and everything will leave a lasting impression, given that it will be one of extremely few interactions they will ever have with a person of colour. And another time a Ukrainian elderly man approached me. He wanted to take a picture too. He only spoke Ukrainian and Russian, but I could still understand him. He was so happy around me that he took out some pictures from his bag. He showed me his wife, his children, him in his younger days etc. It was wholesome. Could I have just given him a smug look and told him to kick rocks? Sure, but instead we shared a nice moment that I won't forget.

[@RB-sk1jz]

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.

[@josephinebournes8212]

You're talking about Abysennia Baptist Church. I hate that they allow European tour groups to attend Sunday worship.

[@MidnightAspec]

I grew up in ABC back in the 70s/80s; mom was in the Sanctuary Choir for years. Never interacted with any of the tourist visitors.

[@harsha1048]

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

[@peryole]

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.

[@MindfulMoments1444]

@@peryole Why would you try to minimize another persons experience with your own anecdotal experience. Thats horrible, get a clue!!

[@maricat32]

​@peryole "most people think I'm white"....well that should tell you something.

[@m3g0mia]

​@@peryolemumu 😂

[@SplatterInker]

Yeap and a lot of Spanish will assume anyone vaguely south Asian looking is a Romani... who are villified over there (as everywhere).

[@jp-gemini]

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.

[@icilmaa]

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.

[@HulaMask]

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.

[@HulaMask]

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.

[@camille9803]

Nah. Light skin here. They were superracist to me.

[@woozie1027]

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

[@mercoro]

Your dreadlocks look absolutely stunning! I love them, also great video, it is great making videos like this to advice clueless people.

[@MonaBradbury]

As a Mediterranean Canadian (Maltese origin) married to an Italian, I can ABSOLUTELY CONFIRM that what you’ve said about Spain and Italy is TRUE. Having lived in both Italy and Spain and being fluent in both languages, I saw my share of xenophobia and in racism in both countries. Even as an olive skinned person myself, experienced discriminatory behaviour in both places. In Italy I was treated as if I were an infection, even by my husband’s immediate family. In Spain it was just as bad. I was living in Malaga for 2 years, and my gay black Portuguese friend came to visit; we went to a restaurant where my husband and I had good service in the past, but when I went there with my friend, NOBODY WOULD COME TO THE TABLE, even though the place was almost empty! I was horrified. I suggested we leave, but my friend said it’s ok, he’s used to it because it happens often. Unbelievable 😳. Thanks for putting out this video; people should see the truth about these places.

[@junnaredd9912]

I thought there were many olive skinned Italians and Spain.

[@MonaBradbury]

@@junnaredd9912oh there are! But don’t tell THEM that lol

[@peanutjelly727]

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.

[@Ava2969ny]

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.

[@firestar7774]

I know you are speaking the truth but it’s their problem not yours!

[@aldum14]

2013? do you know how much has changed. I think everyone has different experiences.

[@bellamijaymes2153]

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

[@josephinebournes8212]

I fully validate your experiences

[@dpardo74]

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.

[@YgggCggh-x3f]

What was Russia like if u went ?

[@tommytremble3910]

I’ve heard mixed reviews on Eastern Europe in terms of how they respond to black people showing up.

[@D1Snr]

I'm surprised about Serbia and Bosnia.

[@kavitabalakrishnan6219]

This is really helpful. Thank you for sharing.

[@salkoharper2908]

@@D1Snr Most people in Bosnia and Serbia only hate each other. In general they are very welcoming to outsiders. Hospitality is a big part of Balkan culture. My wife is Black African and we went to Turkey, everybody was friendly to us. My mothers family are from Bosnia.

[@Akire202]

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.

[@kitty_s23456]

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).

[@dalillala3143]

She had to learn

[@andrewbottesch3062]

Mexicans look more native than anything else, yeah they speak spanish but they look nothing like the spaniards

[@kitty_s23456]

@andrewbottesch3062 there are Mexicans who look very European. Most of them are from the northern part of Mexico. The ones who look more native/ indigenous are from the central & south parts. If you watch Mexican telenovelas, they choose the Euro looking ones to have the protagonist roles or the rich/ upper class. For the goons or working class roles, they choose the native looking ones. There are also Afro-Mexicans or Afro-Latinos.

[@djeanpierre]

All this shit is ridiculous. All this mistreatment just from SKIN COLOR. How IGNORANT are these people???

[@Mkasia5]

I am italian and I am so sorry you had such terrible experiences :( I am very ashamed of my country for this (and for many other things too, unfortunately)

[@Thequietkidfromyourschool]

Small minded people live everywhere, she just had bad luck of meeting many of them at one place

[@LelloIlMonello]

No true Italian can be ashamed of Italy.

[@heyitsmira17]

@EB-jf5oi "her people" 🫠 you're proving her point

[@minoltaaraya]

SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME IN SPAIN- specifically Valencia. Oh Valencia was racist, racist. I was at the airport waiting to be served, the only black person in there- they served everyone else. I thought I was being overly sensitive or maybe they were here first and I didn’t notice. Then I go to the counter to request a server, completely ignored. A white man walks up behind me and they immediately ask, literally *over* me, if he needs anything? He gets mad says he’s an American and he’s seen how I have been treated, I was clearly there first- he said he wanted to pay and leave. He then told me not to waste my money or time on this crap. I’m so glad he did that. I really thought it was just me being too sensitive but that was just the worst experience- Valencia felt off and racist the whole trip. I felt so welcome in Catalonia and Basque Country. Barcelona (Sitges) and Bermeo were my favorites and I enjoyed Seville as well.

[@cestbonbon5961]

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.

[@sunflower9680]

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

[@user-dv3kq3rm4h]

I agree with you. Don't forget, many of them have distant mixed North African DNA too. They have a disdain for this and project onto others, this hatred.

[@sunflower9680]

@ - I agree. Even their colonial policy in South America/Latin America had a forced mixing policy to whiten the native population there, I think that policy was born out of Spaniards’ inferiority complex and insecurities about their mixed genetics since they mixed with North Africans, Jews, and Romanis (“gypsies”).

[@azborderlands]

@@sunflower9680I’ve befriended many people that live in Spain from Spanish Speaking countries of the Americas. They’ve told me they love Spain and treated better than even British tourists.

[@EtherealSolana]

lol 😂

[@osimiri7111]

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 😂❤.

[@danyf.1442]

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!

[@karenno]

​@@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."

[@gibson2675]

She meant you would get mugged

[@stripedpolkadots8692]

@@danyf.1442no worse than other countries?? I know you mean well, but that’s dark to think about

[@danyf.1442]

@@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.

[@hiyahiy]

Fiji, New Guinea, Guyana, Namibia, Ethiopia, Mali, Dominica, Cape Verde. All beautiful tourist countries i rarely or never hear blacks people talk about

[@icilmaa]

My sister vacated in Cape Verde solo about 20 years ago. The people were very welcoming to her.

[@MM-fl6vn]

I loved Namibia!! Just booked my flight back there last week...😊

[@VBoo459]

Are you even aware of what is going on in Ethiopia?! or do you americans only see other countries are holiday destinations?!?!

[@bloomingmayoo]

Barbados too, absolutely beautiful 😍! X

[@tmamba1]

I love these countries and adore the history of these places but we need to be honest. Some of these places are unstable and not the safest for people residing there, let alone outsiders. I would pay top dollar to visit Mali or Ethiopia for historical sites alone, but these countries have a violence problem that may affect you if you want to risk it if we are being real

[@casualviewer9792]

Spain is not very friendly towards people with darker complexion (which is funny given they love getting tanned!). I’m Filipino and I’ve had pretty bad experiences there

[@r.j4449]

False

[@sugaray7435]

I worked for and with Italians and I would say you’re pretty much spot on. It’s like they didn’t know what I was capable of and then when some saw I was better that was an issue too! Also talked to a dark skin (not black or African) Italian man and he said it was very racist growing up. He had to work harder than his fair skin counterparts!

[@Pou1gie1]

@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.

[@FF-ub7bn]

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.

[@arrigune]

Big cities in Spain are experiencing massive immigration (expats included, expats are immigrants too) and tourism. Consequently, living costs have increased a lot to the point lots of locals, including long living immigrants, have it very difficult to pay their rents and buying a house/appartment. Airbnb is usually targetted, but also tourists, who btw are not always very well educated since they think local people have to serve them as if they were superior or something like that. I'm glad And grateful to see videos of different ppl, no just black, who dont recommend Spain and other European places as a holiday or living destination.

[@elvisyarda1062]

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.

[@ehsimeserve8324]

That is because people from Roma are actually very much like that, even with italians. Even with other romans. People are looking at each other and very often not liking each other from the start, not because of colour. It's extremely common, it has nothing to do with skin colour.

[@BillRWare]

Rome is a straight up tourist trap zone! It's like an open air prison with all the niceties. A magnet for all sorts of tourist types. Everybody is fed up with it all. Everybody wants to be left alone, yet everybody seems to get in each other's way. I spent a day in Rome, and I can easily see how the locals can be absolutely annoyed with having to live side by side with a tourist culture that really is more an inconvenience than a benefit.

[@ippatsuman]

I'm Italian and I die of shame every time I hear about these experiences. I believe you, I know how racist a big portion of the population is. They were bad before and are even worse now with all the anti-migrant propaganda and a fascist in charge.

[@knightcool7769]

In terms of China, although they have probably seen black people on TV, I’d say the vast majority have never seen a black or white person in real life. The statistics say that 0.04% of china’s population is black and these black people are concentrated mainly in Guangzhou. but this stat is from before the pandemic, and they say the number has dropped since. Hence all the photos… When I went there on a school trip (I’m black) I had a ton of people ask me to take photos with them, especially the elderly and people with kids. It didn’t feel malicious at all, so I always said yes because they were always polite. One time our guide was next to me and I asked them to ask the person what they wanted a photo for. The Chinese man said it was to post on social media and show his friends and family. Although this behaviour isn’t acceptable in the western world, if we all lived in a country with barely any white or Asian people we might be the ones asking for photos all the time😂. Anyways, this comment turned out way too long. I just wanted to say, that my China experience didn’t feel like discrimination from locals, it felt more like curiosity and ignorance. As the country opens up more, I think the problem will get solved more. Most importantly it doesn’t stop people from having a good time over there

[@ladydusk1]

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.

[@candilubk]

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.

[@kitty_s23456]

​​@@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.

[@ElisaMinadio-mr7pu]

@@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.

[@marceltresvant8581]

​@@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.

[@kitty_s23456]

@marceltresvant8581 thanks for adding context. As a POC, it helps to know which countries treat us well/ poorly.

[@ashra9905]

a countess told my group about how they used to pray that the children of affairs would not be black. I had no words.

[@javiontangwell9424]

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 .

[@elliot2177]

You were lucky.Which is great

[@eydpotter]

I'm South Asian and I've been to all three countries mentioned here. Spain - I've been to twice and thankfully I never had a single bad experience there. I actually thought people were quite friendly and nice. China - I did have instances of people asking to get photographed with me (and I always obliged). I felt in general that people in China are very friendly and helpful and kind, so I didn't have any negative experiences. In fact some people were really nice and the restaurant staff at one restaurant I went to declined payment for this special tea I'd ordered. They said that I was a guest in China and that they hope I would have a good time in China, so they paid for me instead. However, I've been to Italy twice - the first time I went, I didn't have much of an opinion on how I was treated. The second time, I had the exact experience you had when you were in Madrid. I went to a restaurant close to the Pantheon in Rome. The waiter made me sit faaaar away from the entrance (it was summer so there were seating areas outside too) - basically at the end of the restaurant (and the restaurant was pretty much completely empty at the time). I waited for him to bring me the menu. He didn't do that - he saw me but proceeded to ignore me. He helped seat some white guests closer to the entrance of the restaurant and gave them menus. After being ignored for 20 mins, I just left the restaurant. I mostly didn't have a great time in Rome or Bologna, but I went to a rural part of Italy during the trip, and people in those rural areas were very nice and friendly.

[@BigRoqq]

Hers sounds like a failed divestor tale lol

[@gdm1577]

It's about black Travelers, not asians. Do your own video

[@nampadaek]

​@@gdm1577Black travelers and people of color right in the title. Some of us other Asians get dark as hell but whatever keep thinking we're ONLY light skinned.

[@coriolisky]

@@gdm1577dude wtf

[@GRmasterpiece]

I'll speak on my experience as a Black male and what I know - Before I went to Spain, I heard from multiple people that Spain isn't too kind to black people and I was well prepared for any negative encounters I may have. I was visiting an Argentinian friend that's currently living in Spain. I only stayed for a few days and was actually pleased with my experience. The people were kind to me despite me not knowing any Spanish and I didn't feel any hint of racism/prejudice towards me. HOWEVER, my Argentinian friend who actually lives there has told me that she is sometimes treated like a second-class citizen due to the fact that many Spanish people don't have respect for the immigrants of South American countries. It seems the people of Spain may have an issue with immigrants. On top of that, I do wonder if my experience would have been different if I was a black woman instead of a black man. For any black people that are planning a trip to Spain, there's no telling how your experience will go. You may have a great time with no incidents or you may run into some bad apples out there. Just be prepared. That's all. Don't be afraid of travel either.

[@Cindybabe99]

Being a woman would not have made a difference. I am from Spain. Spanish men can be very "macho" but the culture/politics/media here is very pro feminism and the men are taught to respect women. When they don't the get shamed in very public manners, specially the last 10 years or so, there has been a massive increase in making this a culture where women are safe.

[@theanimekid7839]

My parents went to Spain years ago(Both are POC), they said the people there were 'iffy' and only their hosts/entertainers and fellow tourists were genuinely friendly.

[@BigRoqq]

Most of this be Karma lol everyone wants to play victim all the time

[@b_b_b5146]

Thank you for this comment. It's encouraging and helpful. I'm a black exotical woman from Brazil but I've lived in Spain for almost 11 years but want to meet Italy and other Mediterranean countries someday. Stay blessed 😊💕

[@elliot2177]

Maybe because you were lucky and it were only a few days.Had you stayed there longer, you may have been affected.Same thing with me.I lived in Japan for several years and at first, the loved me and my hair.Taking pics , touching hair etc..As I lived there, I got to saw the real Japan.Especially, as I became fluent in Japanese.There is a difference between visiting an living/staying somewhere for a period of time.I am glad you had a good time,though.I agree Travel is very necessary as a human to open your mind.Personally, I have no interest in Spain so, I am good.

[@momshouldve]

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.

[@josephinebournes8212]

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.

[@TMB007-d5g]

@@momshouldve it’s one of my go to places. Nothing but good experiences

[@shalenah]

same Spain feels like a home for me!

[@taraking8555]

Glad to see some have had good experiences

[@grega.2755]

My son and I live in Spain and we absolutely love it. Way better than the US in every aspect

[@imo.124]

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.

[@neilybugg]

That was our experience in Italy as well.

[@Penelope416]

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.

[@patriciahercules6852]

Are you a dark skinned black person?

[@Kattheleo]

@@patriciahercules6852Sad, but legit question…

[@stephanieokwuobu3036]

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.

[@regale1995]

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!

[@s.f.694]

Agreed. I was looking at this clothing store in Italy and this Italian lady kept like a broken record repeatedly shouting with this really creepy sinister smile “nothing is made in china!” Like to say that one time ok I get it but the ENTIRE time she constantly repeated it to the same customers in the store and it was extremely weird and awkward. She clearly was sending the message she secretly wanted to so badly. I immediately left and decided I do not want to give business to somebody this hateful. However I want to also say that I met very kind Italian people during my stay as well. There was a very cute boutique shop owned by a husband and wife and they were very friendly and asked where I am from and if I was enjoying my trip. There are just nice and mean people everywhere I guess. We do the best we can and spread love wherever we can 💙

[@msangthrope5396]

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.

[@christianthompson7876]

Don't believe this shit, I'm black and live in germany

[@Sunshine16584]

@@christianthompson7876 girl your experience is yours, their experience is theirs.

[@EB-jf5oi]

Try Arab countries and the rest of Asia in general. Russia, Argentina, Colombia. They love you guys.

[@jfm14]

@@EB-jf5oi Lmaooo

[@JanuaryGoat]

I am so glad that you mentioned that photo taking and touching crap in China! That gets on my nerves so damn much!

[@christineinchrist7407]

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.

[@marriejames01]

@@christineinchrist7407India!? They got their nerve. 🙄

[@michaeljeffery7466]

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.

[@charlie1Urbano]

​@@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...

[@ncolphillip]

This is one of the most annoying things when I travel! We are not animals on display at a zoo

[@corgiworg5876]

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😂😂

[@Nature-ep5cu]

I won't even trust them to serve me "food" after they displayed such behavior

[@VBoo459]

I leave after 5mins of no serving tbh but thats because I have princess behaviour lol. As for the graffiti, its very unsettling but as my Italian husband puts it, those graffiti s done by uneducated and useless youths who have nothing better to do. In the end, they won't actually say anything or do anything even if you sat next to them somewhere.

[@dwaynek6053]

What was the town called?

[@Scweetoof]

What was the name of the town???

[@roxxee5779]

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.

[@richardcaines5372]

My sister, thank you for sharing this. I am sorry that people have even questioned you. You are a grown woman and no when you are being disrespected and discriminated against. Peace and Blessings Sister ❤

[@AntarBlaque]

I lived in China for 19 years and yes I'm Black. The picture taking is genuine curiosity and they mostly do it because you're probably the most interesting thing that they saw that day. There are parts of China still where they have NEVER seen a foriegner, let alone a Black one. Most people don't even start to understand their culture and the way that they do things until they have lived there for at least 2-4 years. You admitted that you've only been there once AND you went to Beijing, which says that you don't really know about China. Beijing can be fun, but it is also the MOST conservative and strict city in the country. China does have predjudice, but that't to EVERYONE that isn't Chinese.

[@tmc31390]

To be fair, she did also admit she had a decent time with that one visit, but I understand where you were going with your comment

[@bufanpxl8r]

I was expecting her to share her negative experiences in China... because it DOES happen, but instead she's just sharing her assumptions of what Chinese people are like. Her advice could even be valid, but it has no credibility.

[@asdkotable]

I'm not Black, so I can't really speak for the Black experience in China, but I traveled in China with a Black friend, and she had a pretty stressful time with people sneaking photos of her or touching her braids. I guess it didn't help that she was on the larger side as well. FWIW I also traveled with a White friend who was also on the larger side, and we had way less issues.

[@Lineth881]

exactly Asians are curious people, they have only recently come into contact with black people.

[@Pou1gie1]

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.

[@shanellmiller-c2t]

They like the culture maybe even the look or the trauma but don’t actually want to be the people themselves 😂😂

[@notMattGarska]

It's not really the same, geography puts Italy right next to Lybia, to the point that migrants are frequently transported close to the coast by criminals and abandoned in dinghies 3-4 miles off the coast. The coast guard then has to go and rescue them since it's pretty much the law of the sea (you don't just let people to die there if you can do something about it). This is a passage point for all Africans to try and get into Europe, and most once in, as far as I understand, try to pass through the country to go into Northern Europe, some others try to find employment in Italy but it's hard and extremely underpaid (and obviously off tax and illegal). This makes both the locals and these migrants frustrated since you have a flow of people coming through in dire circumstances, and the migrants have a terrible dysfunctional process to go through, no one helps them and plenty are ready to exploit them. The number of illegal migrants and asylum seekers isn't really that large but the news, whenever a right wing government is in power, will talk about it incessantly giving everyone the delusion that millions and millions of African criminals are constantly flowing through the country, when the numbers are more in the thousands and I have no doubt most are honest people just looking for an opportunity. However that opportunity is not there and it's all a lie given by the people that get paid money to ferry them over illegally. Italy has been opportunity-less for generations now and the only way to live well here is to have italian parents that already own a house. The racism is also real and I've always hated the amount of bigotry from my fellow compatriots.

[@eddiejohnson4434]

It’s only confusing if you have the limited view that skin color is over nationality and origin. That’s the abnormal view, most of the world isn’t like the US or UK. In other words, Egyptians can hate Sudanese and Irish can hate English and Filipinos can hate Thais. They don’t care that some in the west classify them in the “same” group because of skin tone

[@biancam2327]

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.

[@larkkay]

Thanks for the review. Where did you visit in Japan?

[@biancam2327]

@larkkay I visited Tokyo

[@yungrichnbroke5199]

Where did you go in China?

[@chunhaylee]

You went to China because you were curious about China, right? And the Chinese people were curious about you in return. Sounds like a fair exchange, no?

[@middlechamber3574]

I just came from Italy and I experienced none of this. I'm sorry it happened to you. I hope you've found places where you've found peace and enjoyment without the other foolishness. Keep Traveling Sis.

[@11HITH11]

Good for you. Doesn’t negate her experience. 😊

[@middlechamber3574]

@11HITH11 Never said it did. I thought I left an encouraging remark...hoping she will find other places of peace and enjoyment. I do not understand the intention of your statement. 🤔

[@YogaBlissDance]

@@11HITH11 She didn't say it did... she "said sorry...."

[@shelbyng8703]

Hi, I just found your channel, and I'm delighted! I couldn't agree more with your assessment. In Spain and Italy, you don't just have to be dark-skinned to be ignored or looked down. They will mistreat you too If they notice you're from a less-developed country, mostly from Latin America, Asia and Africa. What baffles me is why so many of them come to our countries to "find love" or to hook up with the locals, but when those locals visit their countries they feel invaded. It's just a great shame not to just like people for their souls and feelings, but for how they look 😒😒

[@rociomiranda5684]

A fair-skinned Latin American here. My experience traveling to Spain was that people in Madrid were extremely rude, even waiters and store clerks. People in Seville were nicer.

[@Kozette007]

I’m taking a scouting trip to Spain in February for 3 months. I’ll finally see for myself 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@antoinetteramos6284]

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

[@qikstar]

She likely brought the same attitude and mannerisms over from the states to Europe and got a wake up call. As a guy who dates European women of affluence and knowing how they really feel about certain types of women from America - I could only imagine what truly happened on her trip. Lol

[@arrigune]

​@@qikstar Could you please extend your reply?

[@ghettowetto958]

I understand how you feel about Italy, i’m half Filipino and half Italian and my mom is full Filipino with dark skin while I generally look really Italian. The way my mom gets treated is horrible even by my own extended family. They always degrade her and frown whenever she is around and make lowkey racist remarks about Filipinos around her. Not to mention how in public, they treat her really badly where they bump into her and look at her with such hateful eyes. I have to defend her so many times with waiters and shopkeepers like its p bad

[@gazeezus]

Been living in Europe for almost 10 years now and have been seeing just an uptick of blatant racism, also surprisingly from intellectuals - immigration, economics and class wars are tearing a lot of these countries apart. sorry you had these experiences, there is no excuse for it and people should know better especially in these times. I give china sometimes a pass even when stuff happens to me because it’s quite a different society and government but I will totally agree they are backwards. It’s an uphill battle but it’s so inspiring to see women like you using your platform to make people think critically.

[@ibtesamsyed2174]

I just don't get why people are racist. It's just skin colour. In the scale of things, what does it matter?

[@BlackStar-tw1cy]

Exactly

[@ladyfitness67]

Why do Black women always have to fight the battles of WW. After the object was thrown at you, did your White friend jump in and say something to the Italian man?!?

[@ariellehayden4172]

I’m not surprised about Italy

[@1FDerek]

@@ariellehayden4172 Me too, Italy was the only European country that had laws that prohibited unions and marriages between blacks and whites, think about that.

[@tommytremble3910]

I’m not surprised about ANY of the 3 she named. Thought it was an obvious part of these countries and their cultures.

[@emilyjones4736]

probably too many African immigrants there

[@marceltresvant8581]

​​@@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.

[@BPTB1]

​@@emilyjones4736No, most immigrants in Italy are Asians and Slavs, black Africans are relatively few.

[@alyria76]

I’m an indigenous Afro-Latina Panamanian-US American, who now lives in SW France. What you say about Spain, in my experience too, is facts 💯.

[@Shenzo22]

As a Sicilian, I just want to say I’m so sorry you’ve had terrible experiences in Italy. None of you deserve any form of discrimination. They’re horrible people that will get what’s coming to them.

[@mr1597]

Im a brown skin Latino, I speak conversational Italian and I traveled extensively through northern and southern Italy and I couldn’t agree more, Italy is by far one of the most blatantly racist countries Ive ever visited in western Europe and like you I wanted to love it. I have heard from so many Latinos that live in Spain about the racism and discrimination they have to endure there so I have always stayed away.

[@Kantikoy]

I’m Latina my daughter is mixed, she looks white and is studying in the south of France. She hates it there, she says the people are rude and racist. They talk trash about her Chinese classmates, as if they can’t understand, and make fun of everyone’s poor French. I’m going to visit next month and am a little apprehensive.

[@FavouriteGalaxia]

No vegan a Europa y listo!

[@kitty_s23456]

Thanks for sharing your story. It's good to know that the French are equally racist to Latinos, Asians (and possibly blacks). Lol.

[@MissJK_]

I had a very similar experience in Spain. These people really have audacity like they won’t face their judgement day soon.

[@EB-jf5oi]

I wonder why they were not friendly to you?

[@dyiorragray1079]

@@EB-jf5oi Care to answer that?

[@kaiajackson8538]

Many don't think they will

[@matheuscastello6554]

i'm brazilian (mostly white / white passing, so not a racism target at all) and booked a trip w family to spain, france, and italy these holidays. it's unfortunate to hear your and everyone else's perspectives. these european countries have a HUGE racism problem and they need to work on it, honestly more than anyone because they were the proponents of this whole deal to begin with, thanks to colonialism. and now they're all worrying about an immigrant crisis they've created themselves by meddling with countries who never asked to be meddled in via colonialism. it honestly makes me rlly fucking furious to hear shit like this

[@Paredinho1]

Boa mlk, pior que to planejando uma "eurotour" pro ano que vem e de acordo c varios videos que já muito provavelmente nâo vou visitar a espanha e italia, além disso só vou falar inglês quando chegar lá kkkkk

[@fedoralexandersteeman6672]

I don't understand all this antiblack sentiment in the world. I think black African features are beautiful and a good looking black person looks just stunning to me.

[@alsyrriad]

It’s insane, isn’t it?

[@fabrizioart1928]

As an Italian, I'm fking sorry all of this happened to you

[@fabrizioart1928]

@tbasparagi that's nonsense. It IS bad that that stuff happened to her, period, and we (and by we I mean the world at large) should be better than this.

[@fabrizioart1928]

@tbasparagi "genetically not open minded" ain't a thing, mate. That aside, both your experiences are valid, and the same way I said I'm sorry for what happened to her, I'm sorry for whatever bs YOU might have to deal with, AND I'm happy that you seem to have had a good time regardless. You should have had that good time and none of the inconvenience, that's the ideal to strive for. This ain't about a final verdict on "Italy good" or "Italy bad" bc that doesn't really makes sense as a question

[@fabrizioart1928]

@@tbasparagi you're getting a whole LOT from me saying something as simple as "I'm sorry you had to deal with racists." It's not sorry as in apologizing, I didn't do s**t. It's "sorry" as in "I'm sad that happened and it shouldn't have."

[@fabrizioart1928]

@tbasparagi this is such a weird jump, I hope you realize it.

[@fabrizioart1928]

@@tbasparagi ...then why did you do that? Also to be clear it's not even that I'm not open to a convo on whether she's exaggerated or uncharitable in her judgement/conclusion but that is a wholly separate issue from my initial comment, which still stands.

[@wavepulsetechnologies735]

Hola Nicole, me gusto su video. Yo soy Colombiano y mi esposa es Americana, de decendiencia Africana. Hace unos años, ella y yo, estabamos viviendo en Barranquilla y Cartagena de Indias. Cuando estabamos de paseo en esas dos ciudades, los costeños nos miraban y pensaban que ella era de Palenque y que yo era el extranjero. La razón por ese pensamiento era porque no tengo un acento Colombiano en mi español. Este porque muchos de ellos me señalaban (👍) o me decian a mi, que bueno que me encontre y me case una negra Colombiana. ¿Porque dicen eso? Porque el costeño, con sangre negra, conoce muy bien el racismo y la discriminacion en Colombia. Les da una alegria saber que unos de ellos va tener una major vida en el exterior. Aqui en Colombia se puedes vivir tranquilo, pero es mejor cuando estas cerca de tu gente. Saludos 👋 desde Medellín, Colombia. Chao... 😎

[@ncolphillip]

I love Colombia for this reason! It’s my favorite country to travel to. I felt so welcome and like a part of a giant family.

[@ollieno971]

My cooking teacher in highschool was Asian and she said she was treated awfully in Italy, she said even her white American friends were treated bad too though. They went to a restaurant and when they sat down they didn’t even let them order any food they just brought out a plate of cold fries and ketchup and glared at them till they left.

[@TT_09]

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.

[@yungrichnbroke5199]

What kind of issues did you have in HK?

[@keelymac8651]

@@yungrichnbroke5199right ??I’m curious I loved in HK almost 2 years and honestly was overall good experience literally miss it everyday

[@Sunshine16584]

@@keelymac8651 surely experiences can vary from one person to the next, right? So condescending 🙄

[@haroldpierre1726]

My daughter lived in several areas of China. She speaks fluent Mandarin. She found the behavior just curiosity from people who have never seen black people before. Then again, she could easily blow things off to have a great time. I am too ashamed to tell you the country I faced the worst racism because it was a black country.

[@YoureMy_Valentine]

Which black country was racist and towards what race

[@hallooos7585]

@@YoureMy_ValentineProbably Rwanda cause they had that huge genocide thing against a certain ethnic group idk

[@alsyrriad]

@@hallooos7585That was 30 years ago. I swear, it’s like the only thing Americans know about Rwanda, so annoying.

[@chocolatethunder192]

Was it Kenya? I've heard that they treat white people well, but black people badly. I heard about a black woman and her white husband being treated totally differently - he was treated like royalty, and she was ignored.

[@AndrewMB08]

I thought POC meant Pirates of the Caribbean.

[@ets5697]

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

[@Pasha-z7p]

Yes excellent critical review, 👍🙂

[@andrewbottesch3062]

Italy and Spain are one of the best countries in the world. If they dont treat you well you can always go somewhere else. I wouldnt be treated well in Iran so I dont go there Its as simple as that

[@cgailliard]

It's unfortunate that the sin of racism is everywhere. Despite that, my daughter and I lived in Italy for 4 years and absolutely loved it. We've been back in the States for about a year and half and we stay on the hunt to pursue out of country opportunities. Our life overseas is one we cherish and are thankful for.

[@SweetLyns]

I've been to Spain and Italy multiple times.....never had a problem. My experiences were amazing!!!!

[@tbasparagi]

From a fellow Trini, there's an advantage not being an American-born American😉

[@nnekaedwards6147]

The second Trini I've spotted saying they had a great time in these places ... is it a Trini vibe thing? ... btw I'm Trini ... had a great time in the Far East (Taiwan, HK, South Korea, Japan) ... anything that wasn't great (which wasn't much) I either laughed off as being genuinely hilarious or happily ignored ...

[@leonnottingham4618]

Good lord!! You are BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@DrCrystalHarris]

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. ❤😊

[@noelleperry2044]

As a blk American I’m truly shocked that Spain wasn’t number one. Spanish speakers, especially those in the US are notoriously racist to blk people. And I mean all groups of them. Mexicans, Venezuelans, Dominicans etc

[@r.j4449]

False

[@javyp19]

As a white Spaniard, we definitely have a huge problem with racism here, and people refuse to acknowledge it or talk about it, so nothing ever gets solved. It also seems like it’s getting worse, with the younger generations proudly saying how much they hate black people, people from asia, latin america, the middle east, and roma people. I am deeply sorry that you (and thousands of others) had that experience here, especially considering how so much of our history is rooted in people from the middle east coming to our country centuries ago and influencing a lot of our architecture, art, science, etc. There is still a big segment of the population that will continue to fight against racism, misogyny, and any type of discrimination, and I hope someday we can improve as a society ❤

[@r.j4449]

Mentira

[@DaniloSF92]

Come to Brasil, Nicole! You’ll love it here, and we definitelly would love having you here as well ❤️

[@qikstar]

NO! Don’t encourage her to come to Brazil. Too many beautiful women there, why mess up the average ratio?

[@tyboogie1982]

I've been to Spain 3 times and NEVER EXPERIENCED RACISM! I was well received.

[@constructiveeconomics6733]

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.

[@JaneDoe-kd6in]

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.

[@marimarigeauxlowcarbrecipe5547]

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.

[@lq7729]

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.

[@user-xh5rs7jn2q]

Thank you!❤

[@Scweetoof]

STILL black people SHOULD beware, and think critically about where they choose to travel. If your okay with maybe having racist experiences then go, if not DONT. As POC we should not endorse countries that make it point to show that we are unwelcome. Just food for thought.

[@lq7729]

@@Scweetoof Absolutely - be aware, be critical, and do your due diligence before traveling anywhere. That's just being smart. With that said, China is a huge country with tens of thousands of Black people living and thriving there, and that's just the African Americans, not including our sisters and brothers from Africa (Nigeria and South Africa) and the Diaspora. I experienced more racism in CA than in all the countries and continents I've traveled to. As POC, we should remember a mind is a terrible thing to waste, and we should use it along with our own discernment. I appreciate the video and the message - it's essential, but it's not a mandate, or rather, that's not how this WOC chooses to take it. As I wrote before, this world is ours as well. I go where I choose to go based on my interests. You are welcome to stay home if that works for you.

[@obsidianromance34]

3:52 um I think you mean she spoke fluent Italian, or you’re getting your Italian and Spanish stories mixed up.

[@emaunawest]

…Italian and Spanish are 83% similar. So it would be likely that her friend was able to recognize what the clerk was saying.

[@jjn6914]

You're really beautiful! And I so appreciate videos like this. As an Asian-Am female, I want to solo travel to a few European countries, but I've heard some terrible stories of bigotry and discrimination, making me second guess whether I should go alone or at all.

[@ncolphillip]

Don’t let racism stop you from seeing the world! Just be prepared

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

Thank you for this video!!! I subscribed. Since hitting my 50's, I love traveling and especially taking my granddaughter with me so she has new experiences. We had a mostly great time recently in Canada, but encountered a bad racist that treated us terribly at a Starbucks. It's a shame that they spend all that time trying to be disgusting to those whose spending keeps them employed. I've started withholding my money from businesses like that. If you act like you don't want to serve me, I make sure the manager knows what happened and WHY I will not be spending my money there. Sad for them, too, because I tip WAY too much.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

My blood pressure was rising listening to this. As a black man, I've heard way, way, WAY too many black people talk about their terrible experience in Italy to even try it. No way I'm spending thousands on a plane ticket and thousands more on a hotel stay to be treated like dirt. I have two family members who went to China as well. I think they were in Beijing. They never complained and said they had a great time. My daughter and her aunt were in Spain a few years ago and loved it. I was in Portugal a couple years ago and had no issues. But yeah, no way I'd even give Italy a shot.

[@CripplingDuality]

I think with China you have a lot of inter-cultural exchange happening nowadays because of academic and entrepreneurial exchange, so things have improved dramatically. Even the ad mentioned only caught attention initially because there was a lot of local backlash that an English publication picked up on. I don't think it's right to make a generalization based on that India is way worse for black folks, you get labourers and students who face mob violence there, it's f**ked. Even darker skinned Indians hold really anti-black views; it makes no sense. Like, again, obviously you can't generalize about such huge countries, but I think China's more progressive than it's made out to be but it's also an adversary in the west so we don't really hear Chinese perspectives much. I say all this as a mixed race person born in Guyana - my father's side was brought from Benin, my mother from Tamil Nadu in India. South Indians are a bit better sometimes about black folks but North India, especially some of the less developed states are really bad.

[@1FDerek]

@@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403 I'm a black American and I had a great time in Spain, I really liked Spain, but Italy was horribly racist.

[@lesleydickson7746]

I was physically pulled into photographs with people when I was in China. Our guide had to come and retrieve me. I am a Scottish red head. You can’t get much whiter. 😊

[@Lirra-p2c]

The thing is- no matter where we go we are experiencing this type of sentiment. I want to know why? Is there a class that is being taught? Is there a manual that one is given upon adulthood? WHY?

[@Ava2969ny]

Part of the problem is that some of these countries might predominately receive the sensationalized negative stories through international news and they make certain assumptions about POC.

[@WalterLeeHamptonII]

everywhere I travel people ask to take pictures of me. they also take pictures with me. and I have never been to Italy, Spain or China. however I did LOVE Brazil!!! I had a AMAZING time in Brazil!

[@hothotheat3000]

I had no plans to go to Spain because they’ve told tourists to stay away. Okay, y’all can get on with your own lives and I will give my money elsewhere. I’ll say that I was very warmly welcomed in Germany. I was surprised, I’ll admit. I was expecting the worst due to…history, but everyone was so kind and eager to give me food recommendations, more than happy to direct me to the ATM to withdraw cash, and one outstanding lady at the food market chatted with me for ages about how far I’d traveled to get there and how she admired me for traveling and expanding my horizons.

[@dionysuseros7423]

A lot of the anger seems to be due to the "Golden Visa" programs many countries have (or had) - which drove up housing prices for the locals.

[@zuwenaw]

Its all about your experience. Some poc visit/live in these countries and love it! Some don't. Also as a black ppl we can go into a situation with preconceived expectations of ppl based on our experiences of discrimination. I know I have to work on not doing that.