Revival of Middle Class Black Posters - Page 46

Mamaof1 · 10-20-2008, 05:52 PM

Marnimom, sorry that your daughter had to go through that experience. How long will she be in Spain? How is she feeling about staying on?

Triguena · 10-20-2008, 07:21 PM

Marnimom I am so sorry your daughter is having these problems. Yes, Barcelona is notorious for pick pocketers. This, though, could be chalked up to "life lessons." The disco episode is of a completely different realm. I am surprised this happened in Barcelona. Yes, unfortunately there is racism across Europe but usually when there is the perception of economic threat by African immigrants. I don't think such perception arises in Barcelona which makes your daughter's experience even worse.

I hope she sticks it out. Like the US there are a*&holes around the world. But there are lovely warm and giving people around the world also. I hope this was an isolated incident for her and she gives Barcelona another chance (if you couldn't guess I LOVE Barcelona).

Triguena · 10-20-2008, 07:23 PM

Oh and in response to what do we miss the most? I miss the night time snuggle to read a story before bed.

Harmony2 · 10-20-2008, 07:57 PM

Marnimom, Thanks for sharing. I will definitely remember this if my children travel to Spain. I hope things get better for your daughter.

In response to what I miss, I miss the noise (it's a lot quieter with only 1 at home). Also I miss watching movies together and having the house filled with music.

ontheedge · 10-20-2008, 10:57 PM

Marnimon I am sorry to hear about the racist incident your D encountered. Like Triguena said I hope she sticks it out and not make ignorance ruin her experience.

foolishpleasure · 10-21-2008, 10:50 AM

Marnimom, so terribly sorry your D was treated so badly. She should definitely report the incident to both the local and college study co-ordinators - - not just so that other students of color are forewarned, but so that the college can bring institutional pressure to bear.

marnimom · 10-21-2008, 01:54 PM

Thanks for all the messages of support. She's actually doing fine. I don't think it will negatively impact her feelings about Spain as a whole. She's been in Seville for the most part and has enjoyed her stay there. She still plans to tour other parts of Spain during her semester abroad. I, too, reminded her that there are idiots all over. Hopefully, the remainder of her stay will be pleasant.

LakeWashington · 10-21-2008, 02:08 PM

Actually, Spain and Barcelona are no strangers to events of blantant racism against Blacks. I recall such incidents being reported against black tourists during the Olympics in Barcelona years ago. Also, if you think anti-immigrant opinion is at a fever pitch in the United States, read up on the attitude the Spaniard government has against would be immigrants from north AND southern Africa. Parts of Spain's southern coast are tremendously fortified to prevent a 'Cuba-to-Miami' style exodus.

Plainsman · 10-21-2008, 04:26 PM

Marnimom,

Spain and Greece, among other countries, are notorious for their treatment of blacks. Didn't you know this? Read the sports pages. Check the Internet for past editions. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world outside the United States. In Spain and Greece and other European countries, it's bigger than the NFL and NASCAR are in the U.S.A. People are nationalistic about their country's teams. And racist. Most international teams contain a few black players (most are from African countries). In Spain, Greece and Germany, among others, the black players are subjected to terrible harassment and racism from the fans! It's so bad, it's hard to get blacks to play for Spain and Greece. The opposing teams with a black player or two are tormented with racial slurs, bananas thrown on the field, monkey and ape sounds, its horrible, and FIFA frankly doesn't know what to do to really stop it.

Now take those fans and put back in their cities and towns. Now blacks show up, like your daughter. I don't mean middle aged people on safe tour buses, but young people who want to hang out where the "natives" hang out to have fun. Well, those bouncers and disco goers are the same people in the stands at soccer games.

Stay out of Eastern Europe (the old iron curtain countries) too. Visiting for a week as a tourist is one thing. Moving in for months is a whole different story.

marnimom · 10-22-2008, 01:08 PM

Plainsman - not a big sports fan, unfortunately. I mistakenly relied on the college advisor to know these things in counseling students about their study abroad choices. I know, big mistake. My D is now more aware of the situation, as am I. I just wanted to share the info so that others would know.

Plainsman · 10-22-2008, 08:42 PM

Marnimom: I was especially advise your D not to go to any soccer games in Spain, or most of Europe for that matter.

Here's a good article from the Washington Post (includes Spain): Fans' Racist Taunts Rattle European Soccer (washingtonpost.com)

This particular article is 4 years old but the problem is current. Here is NYTimes article from 2008: Not Everyone Cheers Harsh Penalty for Racism - Goal - Soccer - New York Times Blog

lmpw · 10-24-2008, 01:44 AM

Mafnimom, I'm so sorry to learn of your daughter's horrible experiences in Spain. My daughter and I were in Madrid this summer and I was also robbed. When I went to the police office to file a report, the place was packed. In fact, I left and came back another time because I would have had to wait hours to file a report. Many people had been robbed in the subway but my wallet was stolen while I was talking to some street vendors. One distracted me while his friend ripped me off. I realized I had been robbed immediately after it happened because the guys ran away. I was really upset because the guys who robbed me were Africans. It was a big hassle to have my wallet stolen. Thank goodness my daughter had credit cards to pay for our hotel and got get us back to the States. She's seriously considering attending the University of Edinburgh for her study abroad program next year.

tenisghs · 10-24-2008, 08:13 AM

This is my first post in this thread (I'm an African American) and I want to add my input:

If you are black, *ONLY* visit Western Europe. Northwestern Europe even more so (because Spain, Greece, Italy and the other countries are generally racist to outsiders. Remember the Spanish Olympic teams doing the "chink" eye sign to their faces in their group photos?). Stay out of East Germany too because of the growing neo-Nazi movement. Eastern Europe (the former Soviet block countries) is notoriously racist against immigrants, especially Africans. Besides, if you must travel to Eastern Europe, you better have a guide with you who is native to Eastern Europe. It's just not worth risking your life.

TutuTaxi · 10-24-2008, 01:23 PM

lmpw, and marnimom , I am so sorry for the awful experiences your daughter (marnimom) and you (lmpw) had to endure in Spain. Thanks for sharing and warning the rest of us. D is planning a summer in France. H and I were somewhat worried before………… now we are downright frightened. Frankly, I am angry. AfAm are US taxpayers, supporting Europe for more than a half-century. We and our children deserve better treatment than what we are receiving. JMO

Silvermoonlock · 10-31-2008, 02:01 PM

A little update...

2 weeks ago
""College ..frantic call..tears...sobbing..."I'm going to drop the class" Mom--well how was the mid-term. "I haven't taken it yet" Mom-- "...." ""

Yesterday
Paper returned. Grade, A. Mom's response? ...
lol oh the drama!!!
She did thank me for listening. It's kind of fun watching our relationship hit a new level. She called complaining about something else, and I gave her some advice, but she didn't want to hear it. I then told her "I see you just want me to listen to you complain". She laughed and said yes and that perhaps she'd be open to solutions later, but just wanted to vent at the moment.!!

All is well and I can hardly wait to go and visit for Thanksgiving!!