Black Travel: 5 Reasons Why Black People Should Travel

While scrolling on Twitter, I once saw a tweet that read: “Black folks, what is the one country you will never step foot in?” The thread opened to numerous responses from Black men and women. With the exception of two people, most commenters said they would never travel to countries such as Poland, America, South Africa, Italy, Germany, and Australia. Some even went so far as say they’d never travel to entire regions like eastern Europe. Curiosity piqued, I asked several commenters about their aversions to traveling to certain countries. “Racism,” they unanimously answered. As one woman put it: “it is because of RACISM, hostility, mistreatment and everything that comes with . . . navigating the world as a black person.”

No one can seriously dispute that racism is prevalent across the world. Even in countries where a multitude of ethnic and cultural backgrounds exist, black people experience racism. As a black woman, I can attest to the fact that it is impossible to escape the horrors of racism. The pain and fear haunts you wherever you go. So, it’s only natural that many Black people experience heightened anxiety about traveling to unfamiliar places, especially those which are rumored to harbor heavy racism. 

That said, I personally don’t believe avoiding travel is the answer. Despite racism, Black people should travel the world for several reasons, a few of which I discuss below.

1.  Black People Should Travel the World to Debunk Stereotypes

Sadly, colonialism and the mainstream media have constructed a narrative about Black people that has made a lot of people in the world see us as less than or inferior to other races. So, until the harm stemming from colonialism is undone and until the negative stereotypes and images about Black people are fully extinguished from the media, many individuals will continue to viewed Black people in poor light. This is especially true for people who have never encountered Black people and, therefore, firmly believe that the stereotypes perpetuated by the media are true.

“We must be seen, heard, and understood.”

This is one of the reasons that it is critically important for Black people to travel the world. We must be seen, heard, and understood. Travel gives us the opportunity to do that. It allows us to shatter stereotypes mounted against us and show others that their ignorant and racist beliefs are wrong and motivated by hate. It also allows us to rewrite the narrative for Black people in a way that depicts our brilliance, kindness, industriousness, integrity, and a host of other great characteristics we possess. We must showcase our similarities and illustrate that, like citizens of other countries, that like any other group of people, we deserve respect. 

2. Black People Should Travel Because We Can

Black people should travel because we have the right and freedom to do so. Of course racism is prevalent all over the world. But, to forfeit travel is to let racism prevail. We should not curtail our freedom to travel solely because of the threat of racism. Truth be told, we can experience racism in our home country, and sometimes in even in our own neighborhoods. So if we limit our travel to only certain geographic areas, we’re cheating ourselves. We’d be limiting our ability to explore new places, experience new cultures, and expand our knowledge. It’s important that take full advantage of our right to travel and that we explore every corner of the world, when circumstances permit. 

3.  Black People Should Travel Because It Paves the Way for the Future Generation

Despite the misconception that Black people do not travel, we do. In fact, the economic value of Black American travelers increased to $63 billion in 2018, up from $48 billion in 2010. Unfortunately, Black travel is poorly represented in mainstream outlets, giving us very little visibility and practically no travel guidance specifically tailored to Black people.

By traveling the world, we can carve a better path for future generations of Black people. We can transform the way they think about and approach travel and challenge stereotypes so that hopefully future generations won’t have to. Additionally, we can provide future generations with the guidance that we didn’t have and offer travel perspectives that are missing from the media we consume today.

4. Black People Should Travel to Inspire Others

As I’ve said, the portrayal of Black travelers in mainstream outlets is severely lacking. In fact, unless you’re actively seeking out Black travelers on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, you probably won’t see many. But we’re out there! This is yet another reason why it’s important for Black people to travel the world. By visiting foreign places and sharing our experiences, we can offer fresh perspectives of a world through the lens of a Black people. We also have the opportunity inspire others in our community to travel to unfamiliar places with less fear—knowing that others like them have done it and enjoyed it.

5.  Black People Should Travel to Give Others a Sense of Community

Racism and colorism is prevalent across the world. While I can’t pretend to know all the ways colorism and racism effects various people around the world, it’s not hard for me to imagine that some people in other countries with darker complexion are treated as less than their lighter counterparts. This is yet another reason it’s important that we let others see us. It may help some little brown skin boy or girl learn to embrace and celebrate the beauty of their skin color when they might not have otherwise done so.

I encourage every Black person to travel far and wide and to take full advantage of the privileges that our ancestors weren’t offered.

If you would like to travel but need assistance with planning or budgeting, please reach out to me.

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