In Feb 2008 I am going on a school trip to Italy with a group of about 30. The group I am traveling with is predominately white, and I am the only person of color. I know my experience will be different than my fellow classmates, but i was wondering how are the Italians when it comes to the darker skinned? I know my experience will be different, i just hope it wont be a bad one. If anyone can give me insight on what i could expect over there that would be great.
Other - Society & Culture - 24 Answers
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1 :
italians are not racist (or at least not publicly) so u should have no problems
2 :
I don't think they will care! I'm Italian, and as far as I know, Italians are very kind. They can be kind of obnoxious and a little mean sometimes, but I don't think you'll have a problem. Have fun!
3 :
You'll be fine italians are nice dont worry...
4 :
i really dont think it will matter what color skin u are. and personally i think its a dumb thing to worry about
5 :
okay...well the same thing with me..me high school went to italy on my senior year..and there were like 3 i think black people in our class of about 20 i think..the girls were all over them..hahaha..it was quiet funny! hahaha..they dont look at it any different..enjoy and have fun! dont even worry about it!
6 :
raice and color have nothing 2 do withit have fun
7 :
well they dont really care, there are alot of italians that are dark, im italian and jamaican and i have been to italy plenty of times, they look at dark people the same way they look at a white person. good luck.
8 :
I think the most discrimination when it comes to blacks happens in America. (speaking from experience) I'm from Romania and people there don't think less of you. Blacks are actually in 'vogue' I dont know about Italy but it would probably be the same. I know you'll have a good time! TO CHLOE: The Eiffel Tower is in France not Italy. lol Don't lie and say you've been there twice.. haha
9 :
So? There are less racists over there in Europe so don't sweat it homie you will be straight. Italian people are nice.
10 :
the real Italy - Italians are nothing like the Howard Beach Italians. You'll be fine.
11 :
There is no part of Europe that doesn't have a Black presence, although it is more prevalent in some places than others. As an example, Paris has been a place where African Americans have chosen to live to escape political pressure or just to experience a different culture since the 1800s. During WWII, Black brigades fought on French shores and many settled there after the war. The infusion of Afro-French cuisine is something to be seen as well, with the community in Paris really creating quite a sub-culture
12 :
I've been to Italy a few times with a black friend and she has never encountered any racism, I hope you have the same experience, we have really enjoyed or trips there.
13 :
I think you will be just fine. Racism is an American sport. Believe it or not, there are black people in Europe.
14 :
Many Italians (southern ones mainly) have black ancestors themselves. The ones with jet black hair and eyes are partially from the Moors who invaded Italy many times during the Middle Ages. The lighter Italians are germanic and are from the Lombard, and Ostrogoth tribes that settled in northern Italy.
15 :
IT DEPENDS ON WICH PART OF ITALY YOU GO TO. IN SICILY THERE ARE ALOT OF BLACK PEOPLE THERE. IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE MAINLAND THAN YOU SHOULD BE FINE THEY WILL PROBABLY JUST THINK YOU CAME FROM SICILY. HOPE IT HELPS. OH AND IF IT HELPS MY FAMILY NAME IS PATTI LET THEM KNOW YOUR A FRIEND OF THE PATTI FAMILY AND THEY SHOULD LEAVE YOU ALONE.
16 :
Your experience will be as wonderful as you'll allow it to be. God created you in your beautiful tanned skin, and its your job to be comfortable in it. If you make this trip a racial issue, it will be a racial issue. Italy in general is very liberal, and tolerant of all people. You'll have the same wonderful experiences as your classmates, your all going the same place... the only difference will be your personal mind set. Its your choice... what will it be?
17 :
you may have a feeling that italians are racist because of movies and tv shows like a bronx tale, the godfather, the sopranos. that kind of stuff. and the whole mafia thing. but, it's not true. europeans are actually really accepting of all races. just keep in mind that there are people in every country who act rude and obnoxious to people of a different race than them. try not to worry too much about it. i think you will have a great time. you're so lucky you're going to italy!! ;)
18 :
Hey! Don't worry absolutely! I'm Italian from Rome, and me and my friends used to go dancing hip-hop very often when I lived there. There are a lot of black people in Italy,unfortunately most of them are poor because immigration to Italy started not long ago and integration is still far from being complete. You shouldn't expect racism though, in Europe people are different, they like to accept everyone with their differences and peculiarities. I find the situation to be worse here in the US. Obviously I can't speak for everybody, but that's the average feeling that Europeans and Italians have. I hope you feel more confident now and have fun!!! :-) Ciao!!
19 :
Your experience won't be any different. I really don't think you will feel any discrimination based on your race.
20 :
ITALY IS SO COOL I'VE GONE 2 TIMES. WHEN YOU GET THERE TRY THE GELATO AND THE EIFFEL TOWER WHICH IS SO COOL BECAUSE OUR ICE CREAM IS SO DIFFERENT FROM THEIRS. AT NIGHT TIME ITS SO ROMANTIC MAYBE BECAUSE I WENT WITH MY BF, BUT ANYWAYS THE CHAPELS ARE AWESOME AND THEY TEACH YOU A LOT ABOUT HISTORY AND CREATIONS. ITALY IS SO FUN AND YOUR GOING TO LOVE IT. THE BOYS THERE ARE CUTE, BUT I DIDN'T TELL YOU THAT WINK. ANYWAYS THEIR LANGUAGE IS SO UNIQUE AND YOU MIGHT FIND IT INTERESTING TRY TO LEARN THEIR LANGUAGE AND ENJOY YOURSELF. DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE COLOR THING I WISH I COULD GO WITH YOU. I MISS SCHOOL NOW. TAKE IT TO YOUR HEAD NOT YOUR HEART. I BET YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD TIME AND IF I'M WRONG THAN I'M SORRY. YOU'LL SEE ITS NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS. I WISH EVERYONE ON THAT TRIP THE BEST OF SAFETY AND GOOD LUCK AS YOU AND OTHERS TRAVEL AND BE CAREFUL STICK WITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW AND LOOK, LISTEN, AND LEARN.
21 :
OMG are you going with Model UN? I was going to go but then decided not to
22 :
I'm not sure if you've noticed or not, but Italians are dark skinned too-... and it isn't from the sun.
23 :
Bro, listen to me I have been the only black man in many engagments mostly with whites,I never let it phase me and not allow it to keep me from enjoying myself, I just be me cause I cant change my skin,never been to Italy , but my two sister have ,an they were recieved warmly,so go have a good time.
24 :
dont think it should matter at all
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