Why Traveling To Normalize Blackness is Problematic

July 5, 2019 By Somto Ugwueze Leave a Comment

This is Why Traveling To Normalize Blackness is a Bad Idea

There’s a faulty line of thinking that’s been floating around the black travel community in America. I come across it on blogs, on social media, and in real-life discussions.

It’s the idea that black people need to travel more. If more black people traveled, some say, it would ‘normalize our existence’ to others who don’t have many encounters with us. It would help break down ignorance and negative attitudes others have about black people. I can see where people are coming from, and Gloria’s article above makes some valid points. But the general idea that black people need to travel more for other people’s enlightenment is deeply flawed and downright condescending.

The 5 Friendliest Countries in Europe for Black Travelers

October 20, 2018 By Somto Ugwueze 82 Comments

Last updated on April 24, 2023

Traveling while black in Europe over the last seven years, I have experienced far more wow moments and fuzzy feelings than negative experiences. I won’t let incidents like being refused service at a tapas bar in Spain and getting stalked by a middle-aged man in Croatia taint the priceless moments I’ve had. Still, black tourists like myself, unfortunately, have to deal with unpleasant treatment on a continent that touts its progressiveness. But Europe is a vast place with plenty of black-friendly destinations where you can feel right at home. In this post, I’m going to share the 5 friendliest countries in Europe for black travelers. This list is based on my experiences as well as those of other avid travelers who are black.

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Solo Travel for Black Women: 5 Travel Bloggers Share Their Best Tips

September 9, 2018 By Somto Ugwueze 17 Comments

Black Female Solo Travel: Best Tips from the Pros

Let’s talk about solo travel for black women, a topic that raises concerns and some eyebrows. Is it safe? Does it get lonely? What about racism? While these are legitimate concerns, they often stem from misconceptions and misinformation. Many of us grow up being taught that the world is dangerous and that we as women are especially vulnerable. For black women, the fear of sticking out, facing racism, or being fetishized makes solo travel especially daunting. Today, I want to show you that traveling alone as a black woman is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, it can be really empowering.

Who Is Somto Seeks?

Hi there, I’m Somtochukwu. Can you try pronouncing that? I've always gone by Somto (Sohm-toe). I'm a child of Nigerian immigrants who decided to pursue her dream of living an extraordinary life. In 2015, I chose faith over fear, packing my bags and moving to Spain with $1,000 in my pocket. This was after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that caused me to develop a giant bald patch in the middle of my scalp. Living in Spain and traveling around Europe for a year changed my life forever, allowing me to discover the freedom of solo travel and the freedom of working from anywhere. Today, I’m a full-time travel writer whose mission is to help you navigate this big, beautiful world with confidence and have those omg-pinch-me-moments you’ll remember for a lifetime.