The Best Places for African-Americans to Travel
The Selarón steps in Rio de Janeiro, by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón, who started the mosaic project in the 1990s and just kept going until his death in 2013. (Photo: Oneika the Traveller)
By Oneika Raymond / Oneika the Traveller
It’s no secret that one of the unofficial aims of my blog, Oneika the Traveller, is to encourage black people to travel. I have more than 650(!) posts on this blog chronicling my adventures through six continents; from Amsterdam to Zanzibar and Zacatecas to Agra I try to show people like me that international travel is not only possible, but can be easily integrated into a lifestyle (with a little sacrifice and advance planning, of course). Given this, I was thrilled when I opened up my inbox last spring and saw an invitation from American television network TVOne to share my top five destinations for African-American travelers on air.
Now, I have to admit that I had to think long and hard about which destinations would make the list. I wanted to select not only a geographically diverse set of places, but also places that have some sort of connection to black or African-American culture. Why these parameters? Well, as a black person of Afro-Caribbean descent, I always think it’s cool to go a city or region that has explicit links to my own background and history — I love finding a bit of “home” abroad (like I did in St. Lucia). However, it goes without saying that human beings usually travel to discover “the Other”; beyond the sights, we crave contact with cultures and practices that are often polar or diametric opposites to our own. As such, this was also something I took into consideration when thinking about which destinations would make the cut.
So which places did I choose?
Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower is the most touristy place ever but for me it has some sort of magnetic pull. I’m compelled to visit every time I’m in Paris. (Photo: Oneika the Traveller)
If the Eiffel Tower and the views from Montmartre weren’t enough to make you pack your bags with a quickness, perhaps retracing the steps of late greats like James Baldwin and Josephine Baker will push you to visit. They, along with many other African-American entertainers and creatives, found both inspiration and adulation in the City of Light. This great migration across the Atlantic to French soil reached its height in the 1920s and 1930s, with the aforementioned Montmartre becoming a popular hangout spot for these artists, writers, and singers. Interested? Walking the Spirit Tours offers a comprehensive exploration of Black Paris on foot so you can learn more about this compelling part of African-American history.
Related: I’m Black, So I’m Kind of a Big Deal in China
Brazil
Frei Antonio Vieira, a 17th-century missionary and preacher, once said that Brazil has “the body of America and the soul of Africa.” Indeed. South America’s largest nation has the world’s largest population of black people outside of the African continent, and the world’s second biggest black population after Nigeria. It is not surprising, then, that Brazilian culture is heavily shaped by the enslaved Africans who were brought there during the slave trade. From the food and the music to the lovely shades of brown skin present in Brazil’s streets, the African diaspora is felt and seen everywhere. Add in a plethora of beautiful beaches, a weak currency, and epic scenery like Sugarloaf Mountain, and a Brazilian getaway is a no-brainer for the African-American traveler.
Tokyo
The reggae genre first was introduced to Japan in the early 1970s, and the scene has exploded, with dancehall music in particular becoming a serious subculture and way of life. (Photo: Oneika the Traveller)
I’ve said before that Tokyo is probably the weirdest and most intriguing place I’ve ever been: its freaky fetish culture, bizarre fashion, and penchant for animatronics sharply contrast its Zen Buddhist philosophies and respect for tradition and high culture. But what some guidebooks fail to highlight is the megacity’s deep appreciation for (and appropriation of?) hip-hop and dancehall reggae musical genres: Nightclubs playing this music dot the neon-lighted landscape. My friend and I hit up reggae club Garam in Shinjuku-ku, and were surprised to come across die-hard dancehall enthusiasts who both looked and sounded the part (Sean Paul, take note). One is just as likely to find B-boys as Harajuku girls in their wanders around town!
Related: Traveling While Black: What You Need to Know
Tanzania
During a 2009 trip to Tanzania, I camped on the cusp of the Ngorongoro crater. (Photo: Oneika the Traveller)
A visit to the African continent is a must for any African-American seeking to understand a bit more about their roots, and a visit to this East African nation in particular promises a sojourn chock-full of sun, sand, summits, and safari. From the peaks of Kilimanjaro, to the plains of the Serengeti, to the island paradise that is Zanzibar, Tanzania has long been on my list of places to visit, regardless of your color or creed.
Related: 50 Reasons to Love the World (From Very Seasoned Travelers)
Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
An error fare last Christmas put the UAE on man people’s bucket lists. (Photo: Oneika the Traveller)
The Etihad Airlines error fare that sent a flurry through the black travel community last Christmas has seen a number of African-Americans suddenly add the United Arab Emirates to their bucket lists. Cheap plane tickets notwithstanding, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are spellbinding destinations well-suited for first-timers to the Middle East. As global cities that are more cosmopolitan and less strict than their Gulf neighbors, they offer a window into a culture dominated by opulence and luxury. Impressive superlative sights like the Burj Khalifa, extreme activities like dune bashing, and a rollicking nightlife make these emirates well worth a visit.
Do you agree with my choices? Peep the video of my appearance on TVOne and let me know!
WATCH: Behind the Veil: What Life Is REALLY Like for Women in the Middle East
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