Comments on: Why is it that Blacks don’t travel?

By: lolo

lolo — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Are you serious? Did you just state blacks in America are preoccupied with issues that most of US have long gotten past?? You are a highly ignorant person towards the issues that affect African Americans. African Americans will earn 40% less than there white counterparts with all things being equal (socio-economic status, education background). That is clearly because of discrimination in the work place. This is something to worry about and be preoccupied with because it affects your LIFE. Further more, blacks lack the inquisitive nature? I am African American and I speak 6 languages none of them a native tongue, I have lived for 6 months in Egypt, 6 months in Argentina and have traveled to Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Spain, France, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, England, Lebanon, and Japan. You obviously have no direct knowledge of the black community because your information is based off of your own preconceived notions and ignorance. Oh and your cute little quote of IQ levels..have you studied African-Americans access to education and institutionalized racism? Why don’t you look at the the federal housing act in the 1970′s that African Americans did not have access to. This bill is a direct link to making the white middle class American today and is a determinant to why they had better education because of their socio-economic status.
You clearly are an ethno-centric, hateful and ignorant person who does not know what you’re talking about and you make statements without any understanding or evidence. Oh and if African-Americans are so dumb, why do we have an intelligent, articulate, courageous and inquisitive black president? Go educate yourself and expose yourself to different people instead of basing your opinions on what you perceive. The world is alot bigger than you bill.

By: lolo

lolo — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:05:00 +0000

By: bill

bill — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:20:47 +0000

I am not African American but I too notice this trend. My guess is primarily most AA lack the inquisitive nature required to visit foreign countries. African Americans seem to be preoccupied with issues most of us have long gotten past (hate, envy, jealousy, negative self image and money)and have little time or energy left to explore the unknown.
Travelling requires a highly intelligent mind capable of absorbing new ideas (IQ >100). The average AA has an IQ of 85 and would not have the ability to grasp the application of art, science and philisophy embodied in the places of historical interest abroad. I do not believe it bothers them in the least.

By: Dee

Dee — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:36:47 +0000

One of the top reasons we don’t travel is because we don’t know where to go when we get there. We are such vibratrons that if the food and music is not up to our standards, whatever they may be, we don’t want to be there.

I was lucky enough to visit S. Korea for a few months, on a teaching assignment. Let me tell, you. I saw a total of five african amnericans, one was really a jamaican – but nevertheless considered family. Five family members in over 6 months!

The Korean community was very warm and welcoming. Most of the AfAms I saw did not feel the same. Koreans invited me out to dinner, movies, whole naked family spas (which I declined) and a host of other events. That sense of fear was non-existent as my co-workers routinely left their purses wide open on the teacher’s lounge table when dashing to class after lunch.

We must continue to share our experiences to tear down traveling myths. We need to know which countries are friendly towards us and which ones are still not in these modern times. And remember, one persons experience can not account for everyone’s.

Go Travelers!

By: Lischelle

Lischelle — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:30:12 +0000

I agree with you on the number one reason African Americans do not travel abroad is out of fear and ignorance.

Reason 2 is poverty, lack of education and the “peculiar institution” or entrenched lunacy of ghetto life. No one is allowed to leave or advance unless they also bring along and support some low life from the hood.

Africans travel if they have money and education, and are no different than African Americans in that regard. From watching Oprah and reading media reports, it is not open (education and advancement) to all Africans and especially females.

By: John

John — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:10:50 +0000

many african americans do not travel abroad, because african americans live in america, and most americans do not travel abroad for various reasons.

i believe the number one reason is fear and ignorance

the fear of the unknown. people are comfortable with being around people who are more or less like themselves.

african americans might feel uneasy visiting a place like Korea or Japan, because the belief that they will not be accepted. maybe a korean shopkeeper mistreated an african american, so in turn the whole korean race is judged to be like this, which is not true.

I have noticed that africans (immigrants) tend to be more open, and travel around the world extensivly. Not sure why though.

By: EG

EG — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 21:51:29 +0000

Although you concentrate on Black Americans, the vast number of Americans in general do not travel abroad. The percent of Americans who hold a passport ranges from 7% to 20%.

Outside of the military, Americans who travel abroad for business reasons is very small.

America is a very insular country and its neighbors don’t require a passport for short visits. Europeans, by contrast, are expected to learn multiple languages in school and the time and expense to visit another country is very minimal.

I absolutely agree that traveling to another country is eye-opening and actually makes you appreciate America more (at least it did for me). I have been fortunate to travel to the Middle East and Europe and plan on expanding my travel in the future. More Black Americans should visit another country just to find out there are brothers and sisters living on every part of this globe, not just in the ‘hood.