Traveling While Black Ep. 1
A recent event where a Black Woman was spotted, targeted, harassed and policed for days by a White Man while enjoying her vacation on an Airbnb property sparked a need to bring this conversation to the forefront.
It saddens me to write this. The stronger our rally for harmony and peace BLACK HEALTHY LIVES MATTER …the more resistance we get from White Supremacists, Extremist and Passive Conservative groups here in the U.S. of America.
Shortly after the political uprising during the summer of the pandemic, we began to see the truth unfurl throughout all forms of media. Let’s be clear. Black Americans, have not ever been given, handed, extended or pardoned of the pain and burden of subservience to White/Caucasians in this country. The mere thought of Blackness = Humanity is terrifying for Whites and it shows in but so many words that this misconduct continues to threaten our existence and disrupt the our ability to retain peace or to enjoy a day.
This time around in the US Virgin Island of St. Thomas, it was my fellow Travelista Sista, Krystal Glass who encountered injustice first hand. She was targeted by our Airbnb Host — while jogging one morning on the property. The owner approached her with disdain, rebuking her for creating sounds that “made him feel afraid”.
She was simply Jogging on the property while being Black.
The property owner approached her indicated that “….sounds of her feet hitting the pavement made him afraid.” — verbatim. This is an an example of White fragility and the many instances that we’ve seen non-Black individuals devise accusation against Black people just for being themselves.
He then proceeded to start a case about this by report her to Airbnb, who notoriously have proved themselves to be unsupportive. I am sharing this so that others will be aware of the concerns and potential run-ins while on vacation.
The was another incident where we’d paid for private Chef services and invited them (two Black people) into the Villa to prepare a meal. The property owner approached the guests and aggressively demanded that they move their vehicle off the property. This made them feel unwelcome and us as paying patrons uneasy. Upon entering the Airbnb we were required to sign a long list of do’s and don’ts — an agreement statement with fines listed next to each regulation.
Even before this incident. She was being watched, harassed, policed and provoked. Thankfully in the end things came to somewhat of a resolve, but it still raises serious question considering the political climate of our day. This Airbnb host showed himself to be disturbed by the mere fact that (myself and travel partner) are knowledgeable, grounded and secure enough within ourselves to be aware of that which we deserving of….Respect.
This happens to be as part of Airbnb Policy statement, the importance of inclusion and success section. There is a without a doubt a shift taking place on multiple planes of our planet Earth and a part of that has-to do with the Awakening and Enlightenment of our people. And it’s happening with or without the consent of those in “power”, it’s happening and it’s exposing the ugly truth about injustice and the inequities of a system that clings to the U.S. Constitution but does not implement it.
Togetherness (inclusivity of Black people)…. is still new, and there is much work to be done.
Now as a traveler when I arrive to my destination, instead of settling in right away. I know to use my better judgement by getting a sense of the place — if is Black-phobic, and or simply if where I am staying is safe. I’ve experienced pushback, subtle gestures of discrimination and passive aggressive behaviors — that tasteless bitterness you get on the tip of your tongue when triggering phrases like “…this is unacceptable…you can’t do ____ here…..is that what you normally do? we’re not accustom to….” are stated to paying Black patrons.
As a Traveler, my #1 priority is always safety, security and access to help when needed. Especially as a woman. Unfortunately, even if all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed, there is no sure way of knowing what kind of racial hardship you’ll encounter — not per your passport booklet as many times as it has been stamped, not per your credentials back home or the money in your bank account…..you’re still Black. And that in and of itself draws the line of divide; the false conception of danger .
Why is this a problem? While Diversity and Inclusion may be the hot topic of conversation for companies today — the groundwork still requires an encounter, connection, relationship. All of which won’t happen overnight.
In short, we know what’s up….and we know what time it is. It’s time to bring down the hedges of hatred not just through peaceful protest but in action, word and deed; it’s Spiritual too via bold reclamation of our soul and ancestral ties to lands that inherently belong to us.
There are so many things one might call it: Traveling While Black, a Melaninated Getaway, Bae-cation but really the work seems to never be done. The act of Travel it is an uprooting, undoing and a dismantling of the plotting, pillaging and policing and of Black Bodies worldwide.
It’s a movement, that requires movement — just know, that we are here and we plan to be Everywhere.
Listen to this Podcast Episode featuring LIVE Recorded feedback from social media audiences on Facebook and Instagram:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FKPwzItcByAW1NsMwkIfn?si=TlNnvKdkQIGCVmNT4QrQAA
