As I get closer and closer to my great excursion many questions go through my mind.  Along with obvious thoughts about the people I will meet along the way and all sights, sounds, and tastes I will experience, I wonder how I will be recieved.  I’ve heard a myriad of different perspectives from many different places.  Some think I’ll be a target of racism, anti-americanism (is that a word, lol), and/or possibly terrorism.  Needless to say those are perspectives owned by those who are worried about the prospect of traveling alone to a strange place.  Others say I will be recieved as a hot commodity and in some places a rare Black American face.  That women will treat me as a celebrity and chase me around as if I was the second coming of 2pac.  LOL.  I can’t really say I believe that, but who knows, it would fulfill one of my many fantasies.  The questions that wander aimlessly throughout my own mind though are:

• What are the foreign relations like between a Black American (African-American) like me and the people of Europe now that America will have it’s first Black President in Barack Obama?
• How easy will it be to meet people and possibly develop a long lasting friendship with them?
• Will I be able to get by with English and my very limited vocabulary of Spanish and French? (this one is really eating at me as the need for communication on this trip is paramount)
• Although I’m sure you will find racism everywhere you go, how does it compare to the amount of racism in America?

I guess the only way to get the answers to these questions from my perspective is to go get them.  We shall see.

1 Comment »

1. 

   Speaking in terms of England, girls will not chase you around as if you are a celeb (LOL), as I was’nt treated “special” for being Black American, but I do remember that having an American accent has it’s advantage.

   I first came to LDN in 04, so I had the same curiosity about “anti-Americanism”, especially considering I stayed in an area w/ a Muslim population (Forest Gate). The reality is that i kept to myself, and not once have I had any trouble.

   The UK peeps (as well as France and Germany) have given the US a lot of moral support over the Obama elections, so you’re covered there.

   Comment by Varron — January 26, 2009 @ 8:06 pm

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