Beyond the Block: Why Are African Americans Infrequent International Flyers?
I’m always surprised to run across someone who has never ventured outside the U.S., the borders of their own state or worse, the five-mile radius of their neighborhood. There are several theories as to why Black Americans don’t travel as much as their White counterparts but sitting comfortably on theories simply turns them into excuses.
It is a big fat myth that only rich people can travel. As someone who comes from humble beginnings yet has traveled all over the globe, I can tell you it means squat that the median income of a Black person is less than that of a White person. The young, Black budget traveler that backpacks across Africa or Europe is hard to come across. But why?
There is a certainly a “tradition” of sorts or perhaps an acceptance among White Americans and White non-Americans for people without the means to jetset around the world to find cheaper ways to travel. It’s an “adventure.” No frills required.
On the other hand, sleeping in a hostel for $10 a night or going a few days without showering is a dreadful thought for most African Americans. Our culture simply doesn’t condone it. But after you’ve spent a week horseback riding in the mountains of Argentina, with no hot water or access to an actual toilet, you realize that hot showers are overrated and that you would have never gotten a view like this on your block.
To African Americans who can afford to splurge on hotels and high-end resorts but cannot see past the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean: There is nothing wrong with seeking a sense of familiarity in a vacation destination but there’s something to be learned from a country that isn’t predominately Christian or a government that isn’t democratic.
There are also more and more travel guides catering specifically to African American travelers’ needs. Check out American Airlines’ BlackAtlas.com, a travel blog specifically geared towards African Americans, Fly-Brother.com who explains he’s been able to travel the world by “Spending money I’d otherwise use for new clothes or shoes or a flat-screen TV on plane tickets.” Also follow @JetBlueCheeps on Twitter for discounted flights and giveaways.
Americans as a whole don’t travel much in comparison to Europeans. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, about 28 percent of the U.S. population has a passport. This small percentage only dwindles when you look at the Black community. Travel simply isn’t a priority for most single blacks and black families. But nothing can compare to that first-hand knowledge of a culture unlike your own or that exploration of sights that were once unknown. It’s a magical experience that lasts a lifetime. Not only does it promote awareness, it also promotes appreciation for the life and liberties (even luxuries) we have. You’ll never come back the same.
To college students: take advantage of semesters abroad and summer programs that offer full scholarships. There’s no better time to completely immerse yourself in a culture. To young and mature adults, open your minds and educate yourselves about alternate (and affordable) travel options. Be safe and discover the world!
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So true, I have a passport. But I was born with one. I grew up in a military family and was birthed and lived abroad for several years, so traveling is in my blood. There’s also nothing like traveling as an African American. People Love our culture!!!! All over the world. The attention we get is intense because people are so under exposed to African American s in the flesh in certain countries. A black woman!! Please I get marriage proposals everywhere I land!!!
While I agree with the author, your piece comes off a little condescending and abrasive. Some folks have the dream and hot the finances or whatever they reason, have an open mind and try not to be so harsh.
Exactly. I would be more interested in some links as to how to get some good travel deals or something instead of putting people down.
For most people it boils down to cost, not desire. I know PLENTY of people who would travel more if they had the $$.
Agreed. I’ve never left the south, been on a plane, or been to more than 3 states…..not because I don’t want to leave, but because it isn’t that simple financially. Article kinda made me feel like a closed minded hick, when I know I’m not one.
And those Hostel documentaries messed all that up for me. I’m not into getting bludgeoned in a foreign country AND paying for it.
Although I am traveling right now, I do agree with this comment. perhaps a better angle for this article could have been- how to save money in order to plan for summer traveling? Or… How to travel through Europe on a shoe-string budget?
When you are considering the reason why people make certain decisions, it always goes back to INCENTIVE. And believe me, saving money is a BIG incentive not to go abroad.
Agreed!
PLease people relax !!!..truth hurts…i wonder if all you go a week without fixing your hair and nails ” to impress people who could careless” !!!
I’m a college student who is traveling abroad to Tokyo and people have said to me why go there? Why not Africa? This was also said to me when asked the question have I ever left the states. Yeah I’ve been to London & Paris when I was in the 7th grade. I’ve been told our family is a different type of Black family because we went Europe instead of the Islands.
I go to an HBCU now and there is about 50 kids who do study abroad, out of all the students. Students don’t know how many opportunities there are out there.
I agree with this article. As an African-American who has traveled extensively overseas, I rarely ran across other blacks in my travels. It was exciting whenever I did. LOL
In 1995, I took advantage of a study abroad opportunity at my college and lived in the Netherlands for one year. I traveled to several countries during that time (England, Germany, France,Cech Republic, etc) and rarely encountered other black students/adults. Frequently, I stayed in youth hostels or cheap hotels. It was a great experience and opened my eyes / expanded my thinking on traveling. I think a big factor for me doing the study abroad in the first place is because I went to a white college and several of my friends where doing it or planning on backpacking through Europe in the summer or once they graduated. Even in high school, I had several white friends who traveled overseas during school breaks. Many didn’t come from a rich family. They just wanted to see the world. They found deals, scholarships, or used their own savings to fund their excursions. Most black youth aren’t encouraged to travel. I know my experience was unique due to my miltary upbringing. I was exposed to different states and countries from an early age.
It’s true that when we (blacks) consider traveling, we think about cost first. From the jump, many blacks see Europe and other foreign countries as too expensive. We tend to consider traveling within the US. Traveling internationally for most blacks is going to the Caribbean or Mexico. In the past, you didn’t need a passport to travel to the Bahamas for example. Sometimes, the passport requirement can be a deterrent for blacks. Some don’t know how or do not desire to deal with the process to get a passport. Others can’t get a passport due to a prison record.
I agree with the author that we (blacks) should not let any excuses, whatever they may be, to hinder us from traveling the globe. There are so many rich experiences to be gained. I’m so ready to see more of the world :-)
This is an awesome article! As a college student who recently completed a four moth study abroad program in Italy I can honestly say it changed my life! I learned so much about myself as a Black woman. Opportunities abroad can provide so much self discovery. I kept track of some of my adventures on my personal blog http://www.ambitionisthenewblack.blogspot.com the travel entries date back to the August archives.
I’ve been to Europe twice, the Caribbean, and at least 7 states. I hope to do more traveling once I get my driver’s license during the winter months.
A myriad of reasons. No interest, no money, fear, etc, etc. I didn’t go outside the US until I was 27, not because I didn’t want to travel, but I didn’t have the money. Its funny that I know a black couple are doing well financially and they have never left the state of Texas. It boggles my mind that folks don’t want to see the world, hell they dont even want to see any other states.
I’d love to see more of the world. Lack of funds is what’s holding me back.
Plus my job makes it a big issue whenever I want time off.
::sigh::
I’m only 20 so hopefully I’ll have a lot more time ahead of me to do some traveling.
I haven’t traveled abroad because it all boils down to $$$$$$$$$.
I have associates who have traveled overseas but they all financed it with their college loans. Count me out.
I hope to travel overseas one day but I am not landing in debt just to do it.
I worry about the employment market for United States citizens so it doesn’t seem smart to travel overseas when I have no clue if I will be employed come next week.
I understand, but life is to short. In any given month, consumers BLOW at least $200.00 in things they cannot even remember. Worry is similiar to fear, do not allow this to keep you from traveling. The same bills will be there when you get back. Thinking of the furutre is great, but live a little.
My grandmother always told me to pay yourself first!
I have to agree with that one, if you are in school and you don’t want the debt, then wait until youa re done with school, yeah you only live once, but i doubt that if you die in a car crash you are going to think ” damn i should have used my loans to go to Paris” …If it doesn’t happen then it doesn’t but the reality is that most of us will live for a while, and will enjoy life, and some things just have to get pushed to the back burner for awhile.
Yeah, its very true that when traveling abroad, you see less African American/Black people in the airports.. that is unless you’re gonna be in Africa lol
I’ve been fortunate tho to be exposed to traveling from a young age, even though i havent traveled A LOT… My parents are Nigerian, and we all went there for the first time when i was like 9/10 yrs old.. i did 9th & 10th grade in Nigeria as well…then i was able to go to Paris/Senegal my senior yr of high school.. and just recently i spent 6wks in Paris doing a study abroad, and a wkend in Stockholm!
I honestly can’t wait till i travel nxt!!!!!!! [I LOVE TRAVELING]
Hopefully nxt yr i’ll go to the Bahamas w my girls [i've never been to the islands], and I’m ITCHING to go to Greece, Australia and London!!! I’d also love to visit many other places.. i’m tryna get my passport all stamped UP! lol
trust, its an eye-opening experience traveling to other countries..
I think more black ppl don’t travel because we don’t have enough doe or we don’t spend the money we get correctly. Either way, I can’t wait to leave the states.
I’ve travelled abroad and loved every minute of it! I’ve been to Spain, Greece, France, Egypt, and I’m teaching abroad in China starting in late August. I think it’s about the opportunities you receive. My university was big on study abroad, so once I got the chance to go, I never looked back!
As a Black American Female commenting from Cadiz, Spain—
I think one thing that would definitely deter me from traveling abroad would be the cost. As April commented, yes- everything is a lot cheaper once you get to the destination, but I spent about $1300 on my flight to Madrid alone. If you’re lucky enough to get financial aid, it might not be that big of an issue, but if you’re just saving up cash on your own- it’s a pretty big deal.
As for Europeans traveling more often than Americans? It’s simple. Everything in Europe is a lot closer (hence, a lot cheaper). I’ve found that, for the most part- everywhere I want to go is only a 2 hour flight away.
Okay ladies! Many people talk about the cost of travel that is holding them back. First, let’s start with the language. If you want to get out of the country, commit to it. Instead of saying “I would go if…”, say “I am going to {fill in the blank}”. Then, put a plan in place: take your lunch one extra day per week, get rid of the premium channels, whatever. Take the savings, whether it is 5 dollars, 10 dollars and put it in a savings account. The kind you can’t get to – like a credit union or an online account. Then find deal sites like travelzoo (I’m not affiliated with the site in any way, except that I’ve used them to get great deals).
The goal of the article is the mindset of black people who don’t travel. If you really want to go, you will find a way to make it happen. I don’t mean by going into debt, but by shifting you energy and then following up.
I have never left North America but in my short 24 years I have seen a lot and it is because I take advantage of opprotunity. I have gone to other state with my church, Canada with school and my girl scout troop, moved to Miami for school and visited New York to look at another college. My next trip will probably be Atlanta and Chicago. I AM NOT RICH. I get tickets on student universe and stay in hostel ($80 for 4 day in Manhattan people!!!). If you want to see the world it’s out there pick a spot on the map and make it happen!!!!
@blackgirlindiego: I would love to know when you bought your ticket, where you bought it from, and what your departure city was. I paid $700 for my ticket to Madrid in 2009 but I bought it three months in advance. A quick check on Kayak.com shows that a similar ticket, bought today for a travel date three months in advance, would only cost me about $100-$150 more…and that’s only because I don’t live near a major city. If I still lived in Chicago, flying out of O’Hare, it would actually be the same price if not a little less!
Just speaking generally: I think some people have this TV-fantasy notion of travel as being able to just jump on a plane and go. If I decided I wanted to fly to Madrid this Tuesday it would cost me $1700…cash I definitely don’t have. Planning is ALL…and I’m a big believer in the ability to do what you set your mind to. There’s so much information online on how to travel affordably. Do some research, look at where you can save money, and mark a date on your calendar.
Of course, this is for people who WANT to travel. If you don’t, that’s cool. This article isn’t for you. (I wonder which is worse: Being called a closed-minded hick because you don’t travel, or being accused of acting white because you do.)
What a FANTASTIC article. It’s always great to see positive depictions of us not just as African Americans, but as Americans.
I’m an avid international traveler. My father spent 38 yrs in The USAF and as a result, we moved ALOT. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, that upbringing prepared me for my life as an adult.
In 2002, I took a job transfer to The UK. A 3 month trip ended up being extended to 6 1/2 years. I also did my MBA while I was there. During that time, I had jobs that were global, so I was able to travel like nobody’s business. It was often difficult being so far away from home, but I wouldn’t change that experience for anything!
The change of the business landscape and globalization have added to the international travel phenomenon among our community. Many folks I know work with international organizations that require them to travel abroad frequently. I work for an Indian based organization, so I still travel internationally on a fairly frequent basis.
This is a topic I’d like to see discussed in more depth. I do quite a bit of mentoring and I’m telling young people I come in contact with to embrace study abroad and internships that will get them out of The US. Our competition is no longer just around the corner or even across country. Our competition is now global…and in order to be prepared for the next wave of 21st century jobs, you have to have an international perspective.
You’ve made some very valid points. It’s great that you have had the opportunity to be exposed to international cultures from a young age and then give back through mentoring. What advice would you give to someone that’s interested in seeking employment opportunities and living in another country?
Hi, Reese! If possible, I would say to start by looking at your current employer. If they are a multi-national company, they may have opportunities to work abroad. If you can use this option, it’s the easiest in terms of getting a work permit.
Otherwise, you my also want to look into teaching English as a second language. I know several folks who used this as a springboard to working internationally, and then were able to look for work abroad once they moved.
There are multiple agencies that specialize in folks who want to teach abroad…the money is great and it’s a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of living in other cultures.
Work permit requirements vary from country to country…so take a look at the countries that interest you and start researching jobs that are in demand. Those are often the positions that will get you through the legalities of applying for work quickly and easily than if you were to just travel on a visitors visa and try to look for something.
There are international head-hunters who also specialize in placing folks who wish to work abroad.
All the best to you!
In addition, there are some careers that are experiencing shortages in other countries. For example, England has a major shortage of social workers. If this is your field, take a look into it.
Don’t forget to check out: http://withthecomb.blogspot.com
This brother is doing big things around the world. Left his job at a major company in search of adventure…
Got my passport last year and hit England and France by myself. Hoping to do Italy and possibly North Africa later on this year. Can explain how traveling abroad changed my life. It truly expanded my horizons and its something every person should do. One of biggest hindrances for us is since travel to places outside the Caribbean and Mexico is not appreciated, its hard to find someone who is willing to travel with you and shell out the cash. I say, “Don’t be afraid to travel alone” just be safe.
TRAVEL EVERYONE!!!! I started in undergrad with studying abroad in Italy, after graduating I taught English in South Korea, then I backpacked around South America for 3 months. All these experiences have broadened my horizons and I saw first hand just how similar (and different) we all are, but mainly we are all just humans trying to make sense of this world we all live in.
Its really encouraging to say like minded people echo the same sentiments. I too am of caribbean descent (Haitian) and spent my earlier summers in Haiti visiting family and getting in touch with my roots, so to speak. Seeking to see what it was like on the other side of the world led me to Australia in my junion yr of undergrad. Like many said, it is a bit weird at first not seeing anyone who looks like you for weeks on end, but its also very unbelievable (in a good way). But,it also shows you just how small the world is, in AU I met one girl who lives20 min away from me and another girl who I shared friends with.
I’ll be leaving for a solo trip to Cairo in a few weeks (promised myself to go to for my 25th bday) and took a trip to Central America with my sis last summer. To take advantage of my university graduate exchange program I will be in China for the spring and will backpack through India for a few weeks afterwards. With additional trips in between to Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam and wherever I can get around to on my budget.
As many stated, it is indeed a matter of sacrifice and incentive. I could buy a brand new car and struggle to make car payments like many friends but I opt to drive my 12 yr old car. Many can’t grasp the idea of spending 20 hours on a plane only to be completely “alone” on the other end. I can’t wrap my head around spending all my money on an item that only depreciates in value with everyday that passes. I guess in the end we all have different ideas when it comes to whats worth it.