Concerns of a Black Chick Moving to Australia

Moving abroad is a daunting feat. Moving abroad and wondering, “shit, what the hell am I going to do with my hair?” might not quite resonate with some of you.

Here are the facts: Australia is stark white. 92% of the population is Caucasian. My black ass is sure to stick out like a sore thumb! Now now, I’m quite used to being in situations where I’m one of few black people….I was one of 3 black people in my fourth grade graduating class….I was the only black person in my house of 30 students when I studied abroad in Sydney….and I’ve lived in a town called Springfield my entire life for goodness sakes.

This also isn’t my first time to Australia. When I returned from Sydney after my study abroad experience, one of the first questions many friends and family asked was some variation of, “Do they like Black people?” And I was happy and lucky to declare, I had a grand time in Sydney, free of racism and ignorance (at least to my face)! I say lucky because prior to Australia I heard a few horror stories here and there from black travelers. Plus, there’s no denying the cruel history of the treatment of Aboriginal people in Australia (Learn something: Read about "The Stolen Generations" or Watch the film Rabbit Proof Fence).

Now, America is a very unique place. Being the “melting pot” that it is, America has a level of diversity quite unseen in most countries in the world. Just take a look at the island of Manhattan

for example. On one tiny landmass, you have the Blacks in Harlem, the Chinese down in Chinatown, the Jews of Lower East Side, and the lily whites of the Upper East Side; within a 100-block span, you’ve basically traveled around the world. Furthermore, being black in NJ is no big deal…numbers wise. Although blacks are a minority in America, in the Northeast (I can’t speak for everywhere in America) there are enough of us here not to stand out. However, being black ABROAD, and I’m speaking particularly about countries where black people are far and few, I’m sure to be confronted with my race more so than I am here.

Living in Sydney for a year, I suspect is going to be a vastly different experience from being there for a 5-month vacation, which is essentially what study abroad was. Although my experience the first time around was 100% positive, I still do have just a few concerns…

1. Hair

Black hair care. Oh the plight of black women! If you’re a white male, feel free to skip along to number 2 cuz I’m sure you’ll be lost reading this. If you’re a sista, let’s talk! Do I get a weave? Do I get braids? Do I go natural? Do I get a perm? The possibilities are endless and the heartache is distressing. Taking care of my hair really is one of the banes of my existence. In budgeting out my trip to Australia, you best believe “hair care” was a financial concern written right along with “book a flight” and “find housing.”

When I first went to Sydney, I moved in to my house, set up my room, and as soon as I got on to the Internet, one of the first things I did was Google “black hair salons in Sydney.” True story. Seeing as there are black people everywhere you go, I found a place 30 minutes from where I lived and homegirl hooked me up! But this time around, spending a YEAR abroad during a time when I JUST started a whole new hair regimen and in a country where a beauty supply store or a Dominican doobie salon isn’t readily at my disposal, all I can say is #STRESSSSSSSS!

2. Being stared at

If you’re traveling while black, you’re gonna get stared at! The simple fact of the matter is, in a lot of countries, people just aren’t used to seeing black people! Sure, they encounter black people on TV, but a real live-in the flesh black person?! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and they’re trying to capture it all by staring at you!

Being stared at while traveling can range from

flattery to annoyance. Constantly feeling eyes on you when all you want to do is pick your nose or eat a slice of pizza in peace kinda makes me realize what celebrities go through on a daily basis. When I traveled to China, my sister and I were constantly taking pictures with random people and people were constantly giving us double-takes when walking down the street. The funniest story…at a museum in Beijing, my mom sat down to rest her feet and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a woman in the corner sneakily snapping a picture of my mom. The level of attention we got in China was pretty entertaining. On the other hand, while riding the train alone in Athens, Greece this past summer, this old man literally stared at me for the ENTIRE train ride. Creepy and annoying.

In Sydney, I don’t remember the stares being all that uncomfortable. Noticeable? Definitely! It was mostly young kids or old people who’d look at me a little too long. Or sometimes guys while out clubbing or bar hopping, which I can’t say was always a bad thing ; )

3. Encounters with racism or ignorance

It’s never fun being the sole representative for your race. If you’re black and grew up in the white suburbs, I’m sure you can relate with me that Black History Month meant a month of awkwardness and your classmates looking over at you whenever the word “slavery” was uttered. Basically, the YouTube Video "Shit White Girls Say to Black Girls" was the story of my upbringing.

Being black and traveling abroad, you almost want to be on your best behavior for fear of fulfilling some ignorant stereotype of black people shown on TV or in movies. And while I’ve never encountered outright racism while abroad, there’s definitely been some outlandish ignorance. For instance, on the tiny island of Paros, Greece this past summer, I was talking with this guy who was so shocked my name was Natasha. He thought, and I quote, “you’d be named Shaniqua or something.” And then he asked me if there were a lot of “gangsters” where I’m from. *side eye* While harmless, I soon found myself dropping some serious knowledge on this boy on my vacation when all I wanted to do was enjoy myself.

Like I said before, Australia has a pretty nasty history of the government’s treatment of Aboriginal people. Knowing this before going to study abroad in Sydney, I naturally did wonder if I’d ever encounter racism or ignorance while abroad. I ended up having a completely positive experience while studying abroad in Sydney and the Australians I did have conversations with, I found them to be pretty receptive to African-Americans. But while in Sydney, I know if someone is ever a jerk to me, it’s natural for the first thing to think—its because I’m black. In my 22 years on this Earth, I can count the number of racist encounters I’ve endured on one hand. Let’s hope it stays that way!

4. Missing Black culture and Black people

I am going to miss my favorite morning radio show—The Breakfast Club with DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne.

I’m going to miss Jamaican food. I’m going to miss hearing hip-hop and dancehall in the clubs. I’m going to miss commiserating with someone over the struggles of my hair. I’m going to miss talking shit about white people.

Why is that guy wearing flip-flops in the rain?

SMH. White people.

Where is that girl’s jacket? It's cold as hell outside!

SMH. White people.

Moving to Sydney for a year means I’m gonna miss out on some good ol’ black on black bonding. Yes there are black people in Australia…around 250,000 African immigrants, which is far and few compared to the general population, so I’m not banking on making a whole new group of black friends in Australia. The good thing—never once when I was in Sydney did I NOT feel like myself or was made to feel like the odd girl out because I was the only black girl around. But I will admit, there were definitely moments where a fellow darkie might have been nice.