Which countries outside the US are safe for African AMERICANS to travel for vacation?

Question

Which countries are accepting of black Americans? I dont want to go to one expecting a nice vacation & face open racism in every city and/or be robbed becaues they assume I'm a rich American. I know some US cities have open racism. But I know where they are & avoid them.
I want to visit other countries to learn how people live & see different parts of this planet. I'm not the type of black woman depicted in the media or a rude, spoiled American. So, I don't want to be treated that way without being given a chance to disprove the bad stereotypes about blacks. I've heard that some areas of the world only know about black women through the media and view them as sex objects to the extent that they will touch a black woman inappropriately if they meet one. Or are afraid a black person will shoot or rob them.
Comments that insult me or do not inform me about what I asked will be reported. I'd prefer answers from anyone who has been to or lives in a city outside the US.Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Racially, I had no problems in Western Europe (incl. London, Amsterdam, and) Paris, none in Rome, Malta, an isolated incident in athens, none in Istanbul or Cairo (I highly recommend Cairo) maybe one in Eliat, Israel (although the woman I ran into may have been rude to everyone, since I was the only one in her shop I don't know). South America: I had no problem in Brazil, Argentina or Paraguay. Central America, no problems in Mexico or Honduras. Asia: No problems in Tokyo, Singapore or Bangkok. Some stares and slightly rude treatment in Manila and Kuala Lumpur, but this was a long time ago and from what I'm hearing now things are better. No problems in Bombay or Colombo, no problems in Nairobi, a few in Addis Ababa. A lot of stares in both Nairobi and Addis.

I felt safe in most places except addis ababa. Rio & Sao Paulo were a little rough, but being black actually helped, no one realized I was a "rich" american. Cairo is unbelievably safe.

One thing that may have helped is I try to buy language courses of some type as well as reading up on culture shock issues (the "Culture Shock!" series is good) so I knew how to treat people, how to dress to not look like a rich american, etc. I think you have plenty of choices when it comes to places you can travel safely and happily.

I think that's about it. One place I haven't been that has kind of a scary reputation is moscow, appaerently there are tens of thousands of skinheads now who go after non-russians.

UPDATE: I keep thinking of other things and I already added a bunch of them above. I did run into a couple of ignorant people in London, but they were totally outnumbered by the people I met who weren't.

Answer 2

most travel worthy countries are safe....in my opinion they might be less racist then parts of the US. if ou go to the US travel advisory webite u can find warnings about certain countries. also try lonely planet travel books, the font of he books have sections about safety for women, african americans, gays,handicapped etc.

I would recomend thiland but not sure what u r looking for...have fun

about south africa......it is very beautiful, has some of the best beaches in the world, and for the most part the people are nice.....although the country is very diverse racially , cape town can be a bit raceist because it is primarily white dutch settlers, they will stare and be rude or may avoid you its probably not dangerous, more uncomfortable. jo'berg is the opposite and it is recomended to travel with a guide.dont let that stop u though, its one of my favorite places.

oh and it has the best looking men in case your looking?

Answer 3

Sweden is fine believe or not. I am of african descent and i grew up and live her. That isnt to say there isnt racism here but i would say its on the same level as everywere else in the world. If you were to encounter racism by those type of people it would be in the distinct "swedish" form of quite prejudice met whit a beaming smile to your face and overal naive, ludacris ideas about other people that doesnt really make you feel treathen, but are more embarassing for those people than anything. A practise of violence, attacking coloured people in the street is just foreign for Sweden. Any ways most of this is mostly relevant to immigrants who are planning to stay in Sweden. Immigrants get judged on their competence level a lot based on there skin colour and language skills. The slightest bit of accent goes straight in to hardwired ideas about the world and about credibility, especially if you have been raised as a non-minority and used to seing yourself that way. Most people here, especially young adult outgoing urban people, are really modern about these things. And as a bonus most people speak english very well.

Answer 4

Try South Africa, its beautiful. I doubt whether anyone there will be racist towards u. Its a mixed race country (black and whites) and pple are nice.