Blog Posts — WILL DRINK FOR TRAVEL

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a conversation on #BlackTwitter about why the continent of Africa isn't on more black Americans' vacation wish list. Since I've spent most of my year in Zambia, the conversation piqued my interest.

I was floored and saddened by the ignorant and downright asinine comments made by people attempting (and failing) to be Twitter funny. I'm not going to call out individual people, but I screenshot some responses just so I could respond to exactly what was said. Here are a few of my favorite (read: the dumbest) tweets:

"I see enough blacks daily. Why would I want to see more of y'all but darker?"

Wow. Self-hate much? Tupac said it best. "The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice. I say the darker the flesh, then the deeper the roots." Black is beautiful. Period. And guess what? Just because an American is black, they're just that...a black American. That happens to be different than a black Ghanaian, for example. They have two totally different backgrounds and perspectives on life.

Further, plenty of people of various descents live in Africa. South Africa is a great example of this. There are people of African, European, Asian, and Indian descent born and living in South Africa, so being black and African isn't mutually exclusive. But I'm pretty sure the person who made this comment knew that already (insert sarcasm here).

"I don't imagine Africa good for anything except safaris. I know I'm wrong though."

Yeah, you are. While safaris are a great benefit to visiting the continent, they aren't even offered in all parts of Africa, so it's a very limited point of view. Many countries in Africa have bustling cities, beaches, mountains, and more.

"It's expensive."

This may be true, but not always. South African Airways just had a deal to Johannesburg for about $500. That's better than most deals you can get to some parts of the Caribbean or Europe. As is the case for other destinations, there are ways to save money by using credit card and hotel points, Groupon, and other online resources. You need to plan and prepare for possible expenses with any major travel.

"There's nothing I want to see in Africa except the sphinx and pyramids."

Why is that? Because that's what history books told you that's all there is? Why hold such a limited view of what there is to see? There are many notable sites outside of Egypt, including Victoria Falls in Zambia & Zimbabwe, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Table Mountain in South Africa and Aksum in Ethiopia, just to name a few. Don't get me wrong, the sphinx and pyramids are on my wish list too; they're just not on there alone.

"Because it's too hot for me."

Guess what? Africa has seasons. SURPRISE! It's not hot all of the time. Dry and rainy seasons vary from country to country. But if you do some research (hint, hint), helpful links like this one come up and can help you plan the best times to travel.

"I'm not trying to get sick."

What does this even mean? Sick from what? Malaria? Yellow Fever? Or just your ignorance?
There are vaccines and pills for everything under the sun, not to mention DEET mosquito repellent. And if you do happen to get diarrhea or the flu while visiting, there are pharmacies and hospitals where you can get medication. Imagine that!

"Black Americans have the same idea of Africa that other Americans have. It's desolate and dangerous."

I'm not going to lie and say there isn't any truth to this. There are some places that are desolate and dangerous, just as there are some desolate and dangerous places in the United States. It's all about perspective. If you do decide to visit somewhere dangerous, register with the State Department's STEP program, research, and use common sense while you're there.

"Why would I want to go?"

Because Africa is great. And I hate to speak in general terms (I realize Africa is a continent, not a country); however, I've been to 6 out of 54 African countries and I fall deeper in love with the continent with each place I go. Each country is different, with varying landscapes, languages, cultures and customs. No country is the same. That's why you should want to go.

The biggest point I want people to takeaway from this post is to not be one of those people who says, "I don't want to go there or do this" without knowing why. Some of my greatest trips have been to places that weren't necessarily on my radar, but I was open-minded enough to go and had the time of my life. Don't let the media and what other people say influence your decisions to see what the world, including Africa, has to offer.

Dear America,

During my recent trip to Durban, a fellow traveler asked me where I was from. You know, the usual conversation when you meet a stranger on the road. Here's how the conversation went:

Him: So where are you from?
Me: Oh, I'm from the States.
Him: Oh wow. What's happening over there right now?
Me: What do you mean?
Him: You guys have that crazy guy running for President.
Me: Yeah, I don't like to talk about it because it gets me fired up.
Him: And all of those police shootings...
Me: Yeah, it's sad and unnecessary.
Him: Do you think tourists will continue wanting to visit the U.S. with all these things happening?
Me: You know, I'm not sure. But that's a great question...

With the latest police-involved killing of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma over the weekend and just yesterday, the killing of unarmed black man Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, I can't help but to be reminded of this conversation. People all over the world think of the United States as the world's greatest country. We have a top notch job market, economy, education systems, and with a little hard work and perseverance, anyone can achieve the ultimate goal: The American Dream. Right? Wrong.

America's own citizens - black men and women - are being gunned down by the very people sworn to protect them, all because they are perceived as threatening due to the color of their skin. In 2016. Terence Crutcher's car was broken down on the side of the road. Keith Lamont Scott was sitting in his car reading a book and waiting for his children. But neither of them were able to make it home to their families for doing things that people do every day. Why?

America, don't get me started on the systematic and systemic ways that black people are held down, including employment, housing discrimination, voting laws, and mass incarceration. And when a celebrity uses his platform to take a stand (Hey, Colin Kaepernick!), he receives death threats and is seen as divisive and unpatriotic for silently protesting these injustices. He refuses to stand during a National Anthem, written by a former slave owner, that says;

No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Some Americans are outraged that he has the audacity to not salute the American flag while this song is being played. They think he doesn't support our troops. What those Americans don't understand is that frankly, not saluting the flag or standing for the Star Spangled Banner does not equal non-support of our military. Colin has just as much a right to the flag and the Star Spangled Banner as anyone who serves in the military. He loves his country just as much as service men and women. Colin is not disrespecting the flag, nor does he hate this country. He is simply exercising his American right to protest for that in which he believes. You know, because this is the land of the free and home of the brave. He believes that all Americans - no matter the race - should be treated equally and fairly. The issue seems simple enough, right? Apparently not.

What's sad about the Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott tragedies is that I heard about them and was almost numb. More killings. More hashtags. I'm exhausted. It's almost becoming commonplace for another black person to be gunned down by rogue police officers. If my car breaks down or I have a broken taillight, or any number of asinine reasons, I could be next. And that's just a fact.

I've written in the past about how I'm proud to be American. And that remains true. But I'm embarrassed right now. I'm embarrassed that a bigot and racist could become the next President of the United States. I'm embarrassed that other countries feel the need to issue travel warnings to their citizens about coming to the United States because they could potentially be shot by police if they aren't too careful. I'm embarrassed that our law enforcement are the ones committing senseless acts of violence when they are supposed to be the ones protecting us. I'm simply embarrassed. And it hurts. It hurts that I'm in an abusive relationship with you, America. I love you, but you don't seem to love me, or people who look like me, back.

What's worse is that as I look at my Facebook feed, the only people I see speaking out against police brutality are my black friends. But we can't fight this fight on our own. Where are our allies? Where are those same people outraged by Colin Kaepernick's protest? The same people who have so much respect for the National Anthem?

Their silence is deafening.

Sincerely,

An exhausted, outraged, and tearful black American woman

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King Jr.

Why Don't More Black Americans Want to Visit Africa?

Dear America: You Need to Do Better

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller