Racism Is Still Alive

In 2004 Kanye West rapped a line in his song Never Let Me Down on his album The College Dropout. The line goes “Swear I hear new music And I just don’t be feelin it / Racism’s still alive
They just be concealing it.” It’s a sad reality that in 2021, thousands of miles away from the United States, the world will still find a way to remind you that you are black. It does not matter your education level, your net worth, your wardrobe, or your vernacular. Some people will always see you as nothing more than a nigger. I want to share an experience with you that recently happened to me in Medellin, Colombia. I was recording a YouTube video about the cost of living and safety precautions that people should take while in Medellin. Shortly after I began to record my second video, someone walked up to me and pointed to my camera and said “nigger.” At first, I thought I didn’t hear him correctly and then I played it back in my brain and I was almost 100% sure that’s what he said. I finished recording my second video and then I proceeded to listen back to the interaction that I had with the man. After listening it was no doubt in my mind that he called me a nigger and gave a middle finger to the camera. I don’t want to make this article about me, rather, I want to make it about you, the traveling black man. This could have happened to any one of you. And it is a stark reminder that no matter where you go in the world you are always black.

Their Culture Is Not Your Culture

Traveling to different countries and immersing yourself into their culture can make you forget about the division, divisiveness, prejudice, and hate that black men often face in the United States. But be sure that you never get too comfortable and that you know exactly where you are at all times. There are many people in this world who look at you as less than them. Both of you are human beings, but because you are of a different race, skin tone, or nationality than them they feel superior. Yet how can you be so proud of something that you were born with. You did not have to earn the color of your skin, or the land that you were born in, but for some reason they tout it up as if it’s an Olympic medal. I believe that many men of other races are jealous of black men. Black men in the United States dominate the NBA, NFL, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball, and NCAA Track & Field. Look at a sport like bodybuilding. It’s extremely fringe, but some of your most winningest Mr. Olympias are black and the best to have ever stood on stage. Names such Lee Haney, Phil Health, and Ronnie Coleman are cemented in bodybuilding legacy and these men are black. Even academically black men can compete at the highest levels as long as they are in the proper learning environment. Black men who are in shape and have some level of success are desired by women of almost every race all over the world. And nothing pisses a weak-minded man off more than a physically superior man dating, marrying, and procreating with the women of his race. 

Black Men Travel In Peace World Wide

Many black men who travel are not disturbing the peace. When I travel to different countries I follow the laws of that country and I don’t cause a scene, or do anything that would bring trouble to myself. A while back, when Ahmaud Arbery was gunned down like a field animal by white supremacists in Georgia I made a video called the black man’s most dangerous weapon. In that video, I stated that our most dangerous weapon is a passport, not a Glock, or a Smith & Wesson. That is because your passport gives you freedom. It allows for you to no longer be bound by the environment in which you live. It opens up the entire world to you. However, by going to a new land you must understand that hate lingers everywhere. The man who called me a nigger did not appear to be Colombian, he appeared to be European and it didn’t seem to even phase him. I don’t believe that was his first time saying it. He said it just as casual as he would say any other word. I don’t know who he was, and I didn’t see him coming until the very last minute. However, just know that people like that are in countries all over the world. Now that more and more black men are beginning to put their passport to use and explore the globe there will be more and more run-ins with people who think just like him. You cannot let that stop you from enjoying your life and going anywhere you desire.

Africa Is The Final Frontier For Black Men

As I have stated in other articles, Black men have just as much a right to travel as anyone else. If a country accepts US Citizens then you are free to travel, but I want for you to understand that some countries will not be very accepting of black men. Therefore, I plan to repatriate to the continent of Africa where I know I will not be judged based solely on the color of my skin. I don’t know exactly what country in Africa will be my final destination, however, I know that life on the continent is for me. I am a black man with roots from Africa and that is where I belong. I do not belong to the United States because my ancestors were brought to the United States against their own will. Had it not been for the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade millions of black people would not be on the lands of North, Central, and South America. I encourage more of you brothers who desire to travel to explore more options on the continent of Africa because that is where your heritage is and where your ancestry stems. Yes, integrating with people who you don’t know and whose culture you don’t understand may be difficult at first, but at the end of the day they are your people and you belong to them and vice-versa. Africa is a land full of opportunity and I can’t wait to visit and experience the beauty of the continent. I hope that many of you brothers will consider doing the same thing.