Today, I just sent out a security deposit to the residency program in Buenos Aires. My departure date is quickly approaching although technically it is still more than a month out. I had a conversation recently in which it was suggested to me that I check out how things are in terms of race. I hadn't thought about that at all and took up the suggestion - 'Google - Black people - Buenos Aires'. I have to tell you, what came up was a bit off putting. I read what was posted on the site Expat Argentina: Blacks in Buenos Aires
http://expat-argentina.blogspot.com/2005/04/blacks-in-buenos-aires.html
There were quite a few black people warning to not visit Argentina because racism is very high along with a snobby class attitude. 'The people are rude', 'If you are traveling with someone white, you'll get ignored and your friend will be catered to'....and so it goes. I admit that I don't travel a whole lot because most of the time, its a matter of economics. I feel pretty confident in writing that I think a lot of blacks don't travel more because of the general assumption that you will get poor treatment or be met with hostility on site. I also must admit, I didn't realize that quite a few Nazis fled Germany and took up residence in Argentina. I should have paid more attention in World History! As I continued reading thinking what the hell am I getting myself into, I came to a simple sentence and maybe because I'm getting older and all those sayings I heard as a kid are resonating with me more now. The sentence was plain and simple - People are people. (This makes me starting humming some Depeche Mode, but I'll write about my confused musical tastes another time.)
People are indeed people. There is good and bad everywhere. I've been dissed racially when I've traveled, but I've been dissed in the city I live which happens to be my home town. The first time I went out of the country, I was really nervous because I have never traveled that far away. I went to Greece for a month and then a short visit to Paris, France. Greece was such an eye-opener. The country was absolutely gorgeous and now Greek food is one of my favorites. Most interesting, though, was how I was received. I didn't see very many black people with dark skin. I myself have dark skin. When my traveling companion and I were out and about, I would get stared at. Stared at lot! At first, I didn't think about it too much. As our trip progressed, it did start to wear me out. There was one day I didn't want to leave the apartment. One evening while we were sitting out on the terrace, I expressed my anxiety over this. My friend's aunt told me something that I never considered. First, she said that most blacks in Athens are from Africa and they are rich. The area of Athens we were living is good, but not especially a wealthy spot. When people are looking, they are probably thinking A. you're African and B. what are you doing slumming?. The second thing is, if you want to look at someone or something - you look. In the states, we are taught that to stare is to be rude. It was all very enlightening to me and it helped to change my perception and attitude. I took this new attitude with me to France. Sure, the bartender was unfriendly. Maybe he didn't like Americans or blacks or women or who knows and who cares. There were plenty of friendly French people that made me want to return.
So, what it really comes down to is the self. The only thing you can do is keep a healthy attitude while traveling to another country or traveling around your own country. While in Buenos Aires, I anticipate that most people will be confused as to where I'm from. According to the Expat site, most will think I'm from Brazil. I have twisty dreads, so some will probably think I'm Jamaican or African. Only until they hear me speak, will they find that I'm American. I'll be a walking guessing game. It happens to me sometimes here as well. I still occasionally surprise a person when I say I'm from Omaha, NE because they naturally think I'm from some place else. Must be my lot in life. In any case, traveling is an opportunity to debunk stereotypes, myths and a chance to see another part of the world.
So, I got some immunization shots yesterday. Within the next week, I have to order my materials for my art project and most importanly - find more money for this trip!
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