Last updated on April 8, 2023
Studying abroad in the picturesque Basque Country in the spring of 2012 has been one of the highlights of my young life. Bilbao was my first encounter with Spain outside of textbooks and audio tapes in my Spanish classes. The city ignited my long-term love affair with Spain, a fondness that is still going strong. But being black in Spain came with its own challenges. As a black expat, I couldn’t escape the racist attitudes and prejudices of some Spaniards, who need extensive schooling on cultural sensitivity, tolerance, and just plain decency.
Not too long after I arrived at Universidad de Deusto, I learned that black soccer players were regularly subjected to racist chants at games against Athletic Bilbao. I looked into this phenomenon and discovered that racist chants were actually common at soccer matches in Spain. A fan once threw a banana at Dani Alves, a Brazilian soccer star who used to play for Barcelona. In another incident, the referee had to stop a match because the monkey noises aimed at Athletic Bilbao’s Iñaki Williams, who is of Ghanaian-Liberian descent, were getting out of hand. When I went to a Barcelona-Rayo Vallecano game in Madrid two years ago, fans seated not too far from me hurled racist insults at Neymar Jr. Racism in Spain definitely extends far beyond the soccer stadium, but is it something black travelers should be concerned about?
In addition to studying in Bilbao, I also spent 10 months teaching English in Madrid. I moved to Madrid in 2015 because all I could think about after leaving Bilbao was going back to Spain. I could go on and on about the wonders of Spain – the festivals, the lifestyle, the Moorish architecture, Tinto de Verano, Rabo de Toro...But I also think it’s important to examine the glaringly obvious yet unacknowledged race issue there. Beneath the colorful images of Flamenco dancers and valiant matadors, there is hostility, intolerance, and discrimination against black people.
My goal with this post isn’t to attack Spaniards or play the victim card. It is to address the concerns of black travelers who are skeptical about visiting Spain because they’ve heard countless stories about racism. I want to paint a complete picture of my experience in Spain to hopefully put those concerned travelers at ease.
Everyone experiences racism differently
Your perception of how racist Spain depends on your country of origin and your upbringing. Context matters a great deal. I’m a Nigerian-born, American citizen. Before moving to America at age 9, I had no concept of racism. While the legacy of slavery and colonialism lives on, race is irrelevant in a black nation with no white settlers like Nigeria. What matters is your ethnic group or tribe.
Upon moving to America, my parents kept me focused on practical matters, such as getting straight As so I could get into college and go to medical school. I never paid attention to debates around race in America, and my experiences with white Americans in the suburbs of Los Angeles were mostly positive. That’s why I’ve normally dismissed microaggressions as a mere annoyance. What really irks me is blatant discrimination.
During my 15+ months in Spain, I rarely experienced blatant discrimination. Most of the racism I experienced was in the form of annoying microaggressions, which I initially ignored. But after experiencing unwarranted hatred day after day, it began to take a toll on my self-esteem. I’ll focus on incidents that occurred during my second move to Spain because they are fresher in my mind. I want you to take this with a grain of salt. My experience is just that – my experience. It’s not necessarily representative of the black experience in Spain.
The incident in Valencia
I was denied service at a tapas bar in the city of Valencia, in the eastern part of Spain.
My twin sister, Kosiso, our Chinese friend, Zulian, and I walked into the bar and sat down. We waited for the camarero (waiter) to take our order. He never did.
Some elderly Spanish people walked into the bar and the waiter served them immediately. I thought maybe he did that as an act of deference. But after close to 10 minutes of chatting and waiting, I looked up and made eye contact with him. He gave me the mother of all dirty stares as if he was disgusted by my mere presence. Then he continued what he was doing.
I was taken aback because I had frequented tapas bars around Spain without problems. Occasionally, I would get snarky comments, but I was never flat out refused service. That was the moment when I felt most unwelcome in Spain. First, I was livid. Then I felt sorry for that lowly piece of trash. You have to be miserable to go around filled with hatred for those who’ve done nothing to you. I wanted to rip that fool to shreds but took the higher ground. I wouldn’t stoop to his level. Instead, I graciously left the bar with my two companions.
Co-workers were rude and unfriendly
At the elementary school in Madrid where I taught English, there was a group of 40-something female teachers who made it quite clear that they didn’t like black people. One time, I was sitting at the lunch table with staff and heard them openly mocking my Senegalese twists. They didn’t even bother to hide their disparaging remarks. I was sitting right across the table! I wanted to fight them so badly, but I also needed a job. Pretending I didn’t hear them, I continued eating. Looking back, I regret not speaking up for myself. Maybe I could have politely said that they were being disrespectful. At the same time, I wonder if doing so would have made a difference.
At the school, I really tried to get along with my co-workers, greeting teachers or staff in the hallways and playgrounds. Some of them would just ignore me. Others went as far as to roll their eyes and walk off. After experiencing this many times, I developed a new policy: as long as I was getting my paycheck on time (Spanish schools are notorious for paying teachers late) I couldn’t care less about those charlatans. Deep down, though, I did care a little. It was hurtful to be treated like garbage in a country that I thought so highly of.
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There appears to be a preference for white English teachers
Language assistants in Spain often supplement their income by offering private classes to the children of teachers at their schools.
Two of my fellow assistants, Fola and James, were respectable black men with college degrees. The third, Jonah, was a white man not much different in temperament to the other two. However, the teachers clamored to work with Jonah. When he was all booked up, Jonah referred the teachers to Fola and James. They were simply not interested. It was Jonah or bust.
I brought up this issue with Fola, who had also worked at the school the previous year. Apparently, this was a pattern: the teachers always fought over the white language assistants. To them, minority language assistants were not fit to teach their precious kids. An alarming number of black and minority language assistants I spoke to told me similar stories. I wouldn’t be surprised if these incidents were part of a bigger trend.
There is a condescending attitude toward Latinos
At my school, there was a biracial Cuban teacher, the only non-Spaniard among the permanent staff. A kind and jovial man, he invited all the language assistants to his home for a Cuban dinner with his wife. He also took us on a day trip one weekend. Simply put: he was the only one among the older teachers who gave us the time of day.
The other teachers ostracized him for one reason: his Latino heritage. It was clear from their condescending attitude. They made fun of his accent and his mannerisms. They excluded him from teacher functions, like Friday lunches at a nearby bar. I guess it should come as no surprise that some Spaniards think they are superior to those from their former colonies, especially those with melanin in their skin.
Bus rides made me feel like an alien
A considerable number of people, both young and old, would not sit next to me on the bus. You’d think I had two heads! Here’s a typical scenario: the bus is packed to the brim. Someone walks in, sees the seat next to me, looks me up and down, and then scurries to the back of the bus. You would think I had three eyes! If I got a dollar each time that sort of thing happened, I would be a thousandaire!
In another bus incident, Fola and I boarded a shuttle to drive up to El Escorial, a monastery right outside of Madrid. When we got on, Fola asked the driver if he was going to the monastery just to be sure. The driver ignored him, pretending he hadn’t heard the question. I then repeated the question, but he just frowned, shrugged his shoulders, and murmured something under his breath. This is a hallmark of racism in Spain: being as rude and unhelpful as possible!
Continue reading: The 5 Friendliest European Countries in Europe for Black Travelers
Blackface is a tradition
Spaniards don’t see anything wrong with blackface. During Christmas, Los Reyes Magos (the three wise men) are the star of the show. Forget Papa Noel (Santa Claus). Balthazar, one of the three wise men, is an Arab but for some reason, Spaniards think he’s black. Every Christmas, Spanish men in every corner of the country put on blackface to portray Balthazar. I understand that Blackface is seen as just wearing a costume in Spain, but this is the 21st century. Can we get with the program?
On a popular TV show, Tu Cara Me Suena (Your Face Looks Familiar), Spanish celebrities regularly dress up as black artists and perform their hit songs in front of judges. It’s like The Voice, Blackface style. I watched impersonations of Ne-Yo, Stevie Wonder, and Celia Cruz. My gosh, they were beyond cringe-worthy!
The reasons Spaniards often give for using Blackface are:
1) It’s a harmless tradition that is not meant to be racist.
Their intentions may be harmless, but blackface is deeply offensive and racist. Period. Full stop. End of story.
2) They can’t find black people to portray Balthazar.
This may be the case in some small towns where there are no black people. What about in bigger cities like Sevilla, Madrid, and Barcelona? They can’t find a single black man in those places?
3) Spain doesn’t have a historical connection to Africa like America does – no history of slavery.
Really? Hmm…I wonder why there are black people in countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia. Did the Spanish not enslave Africans in their former colonies? Under the order of the Spanish Crown, African slaves were shipped to the Americas, via the Iberian Peninsula, in the early 16th century. The Spanish didn’t abolish slavery in their colonies until the end of the 19th century, behind other colonial powers. Just a little recap of history for those with historical amnesia.
And let’s not forget that the Moors ruled Spain for nearly 800 years. They built Spain’s most famous landmarks, like La Alhambra and La Mesquita de Córdoba. Spaniards seem to want to forget that part of their history. It must be a source of shame to acknowledge the irreversible influence that Africans have had on their culture and language. Case in point: sixth-grade history books at my school in Madrid briefly mention the Moors in a couple of pages and then expound on the glorious reconquest of Spain by the Catholic kings. The fact of the matter is that Spain has had centuries of relations with Africans, both as the rulers and the ruled. To claim innocence due to ignorance just doesn’t work. Next excuse…
African and Afro-Latino immigrants have it even worse
Remember I said that your country of origin matters? The type of black person you are makes a big difference. If you’re from America, Canada, or the UK, your passport affords you many privileges. People may be unfriendly, but they normally won’t go beyond that. If you’re an immigrant from Africa or Latin America, you’re far more vulnerable to discrimination because you have no safety net. It’s not like you can just pack up and go back to your country. There’s more at stake.
As a volunteer at a nonprofit in Madrid, I taught English to adult, black immigrants from countries like Senegal, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. A recurring theme in their stories was that securing a well-paying job in Spain was a Herculean task for immigrants of African descent. An Afro-Dominican woman told me about how her job interview was cut short when she revealed her country of origin. Spaniards seem to hate Dominicans in particular. These sorts of incidents can happen because Spain doesn’t have any laws against discrimination. The government has yet to acknowledge that racism is a problem. In fact, there is no dialogue about race in Spain, whatsoever. If you try to talk to Spaniards about race, they’ll say that everything is fine and change the subject.
On the streets and metro stations of major cities around Spain, you will almost always see African immigrants selling toys, bags, and jewelry, and other cheap goods. Those are basically the only jobs they do. There appears to be little social mobility for these immigrants, partly due to a lack of educational opportunities. But let’s say they did have a college education. Do you really think a Spanish firm would hire a Senegalese immigrant over one of their own? According to my Spanish friends, there’s an unspoken rule among Spaniards not to associate with ‘those people.’ African immigrants are not welcome in Spanish society, and that’s the unfortunate truth.
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Why You Should Visit Spain
Based on what I’ve written, you may be scratching your head wondering why I would still recommend you visit Spain. Here’s why I wholeheartedly recommend you book a flight to Spain.
The people are mostly amazing
For every racist pig I encountered, there were three extraordinary human beings. My landlady, Pilar, treated me as if I were her own daughter! She checked on me when I went out at night. She went out of her way to make me feel at home. I cried my eyes out when I moved out because I was so touched by her kindness.
During my first week in Spain, I stayed with a family in the center of Madrid while I searched for an apartment. The couple was in their mid-forties and had a teenage son. The family invited me to breakfast, lunch, and dinner with them every day – for free! They told me stories about Cuenca, their hometown, and inquired about my experiences living in Nigeria and America. They showed me the best spots to eat in Madrid. I helped their son practice his English while he helped me practice my Spanish. This was a family of normal, decent human beings, like most Spaniards I met. I won’t make excuses for the racists, but I also won’t let their ignorance overshadow the good people.
Also, I should note that I mainly experienced racism from middle-aged and elderly Spaniards. Younger Spaniards didn’t seem to care about race at all. I became good friends with the 20-something teachers at my school. On the weekends, we went bar hopping and clubbing together. I met other young Spaniards at language exchanges, bars, clubs, and hostels. They were mostly curious about life in California. ‘Oh, Ca-lee-forrr-nya! Quiero ir (I want to go)’ was a common reaction.
Every region is unique
Every autonomous community has something different to offer, from the wine country in La Rioja to the pristine beaches of El Pais Vasco. Galicia, the last stop of the famous Camino de Santiago, has some of the best seafood I’ve ever eaten. Segovia is home to a real-life Cinderella castle; the Alcazar of Segovia was a source of inspiration for Walt Disney.
My favorite part of Spain is undoubtedly Andalusia, the southernmost autonomous community. This Morocco-esque region truly embodies the spirit of Spain and its traditions: the devotion to family, zeal for life, and fidelity to enjoying the little things. Andalusia is also the birthplace of Flamenco and, unlike in Barcelona, tapas come free with your drink! (That’s how it’s supposed to be.) Make sure you visit La Alhambra in Granada, La Mesquita de Cordoba, and El Alcazar de Sevilla. Those are some of the most beautiful architecture I’ve seen in all my 26 years.
After Andalusia, I would recommend El Pais Vasco, the Basque Country. San Sebastian is hands down the best city for food in Spain. The pintxos (tapas) bars there are on another league. The main beach, La Concha, is easily one of the best in Spain. Bilbao, where I studied abroad, is another favorite. It’s much quieter than San Sebastian but is great for art lovers.
The lifestyle will make you never want to leave
I love the fact that Spaniards work to live and make enjoying life a priority. Remember that I returned to Spain because I was so happy with my first experience? I was happy because of the carefree lifestyle that living in Spain afforded me. I could actually relax, have a drink, be fully present, and appreciate the little things. Back home I worked non-stop and rarely took a moment to breathe.
In the end, the unpleasant parts of living in Spain pale in comparison to the amazing experiences and incredible people I met. Some of my happiest memories are from Spain: visiting La Alhambra at night, watching a Flamenco show in Sevilla, going to the out-of-this-world Las Fallas festival in Valencia (yes, Valencia), feasting on seafood in A Coruña, lounging the beaches of Mallorca…the list goes on. I love Spain despite its flaws much like I love America and Nigeria despite their flaws. In fact, I consider it my third home.
Yes, racism in Spain is an issue, but if you’re visiting for a week or two you may not even notice. On the other hand, if you plan to live in Spain for some time, prepare to deal with some unpleasant treatment. That’s just the reality.
On my recent trip to Colombia, I met a young, adventurous African American woman. She said she didn’t want to visit Spain because of racism. I replied with a condensed version of this post. If you’re in the same boat as her, I want you to hop out of it right now. Go to Spain! I guarantee you’ll have at least one experience that will make you go “Wowwwwwwww!” Don’t let the fear of racism stop you from exploring this beautiful world.
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Somto Ugwueze
Hi! I'm Somto. In 2015, I stopped making excuses, ditched my indecisive friends, and started booking flights. Today, I'm a full-time solo traveler on a mission to inspire young women to seek new adventures.
Hey there,l loved loved your post and l agree with you as l have exeperienced most of what you talk about. I am studying kn Bilbao, Spain and despite everything the exeperience is beautiful. I am Zimbabwean and it hasnt been easy but l choose to focus on the joys of the journey.
I wanted to find out if you happen to find a way to meet other black girls studying in Spain. At my Uni l never see any black people and l would be happy to mingle with people of African decent and share the exeperience. I will really appreciate your feedback and your solo travel is inspiring!!! Ruwa.x
Hi Ruwa!
Thanks so much for your comment! I’m glad you can relate to my experiences. I know it can be difficult at times to live abroad as a black person, but I’m happy to see you’re focusing on the positives.
While in Spain, I never really made an effort to meet other black people. I just happened to meet them at parties, language exchanges, and through friends. The key is to go to different events targeted at young people and expats. You can find these on expat groups and study abroad groups on Facebook. Have you heard of Las Morenas de España? It’s a travel group specifically for women of color living in Spain. They host social events in different cities. You can check them out here: http://www.lasmorenasdeespana.com/events/. I hope that helps. Of course, let me know if you have any other questions!
That’s terrible that there’s people that still act this way. Shameful and just plain stupid..
Question for you though. I do want to mention that you implied the Moorish occupation of Spain was beneficial because of some landmarks and cultural influence. That’s all fine and dandy, but are you aware of what that entailed? Especially for Christians? Moorish Spain was very harsh for the ones living there (the ones that were allowed to live that is). I’m just wondering why that should be a celebrated part of Spain’s past. Islamic Caliphates weren’t exactly the friendliest to “infidels.” With all due respect, you brought this up as if Spain was somehow in the wrong. I find that a bit ludicrous. By this logic, the Philippines should be thankful to Spain for their influence while it was their colony.
Good day to you!
Hello Sugwese, I really enjoyed reading your post. Thank you so much for your honesty. I have always wanted to go to Spain. I am from Latin America and we know how racist some Spaniards could be. I have traveled extensively, however, I have postponed my visits to Spain due to this reason. I would love to travel the whole entire country. I love tapas, the flamenco and their history. I would love to see Velasquez and Goya’s paintings at El Prado Museum. You are an inspiration and so strong. It hurts so much to be discriminated, I felt so bad when you were explaining how the waiter gave you a dirty look when you tried to order at the bar in Valencia. It broke my heart. Thank you for sharing!
Hi!
I’m a fair skinned spaniard , and you are right on racism in Spain. I felt ashamed and myself depicted -if not on actual prejudiced outspoken behavior , yes on prejudiced conception of others.
I am 56 years old now, so I have had some time to think since I was a young man in a even more backwards and racist Spain.
In the year 87 I visited Israel, I stayed for couple of years. It was my first contact with a culture I always felt like it lacked to me, something I have been robbed of. here in Spain. Yes, there I was confronted to open discrimination, to myself and others. Even among people of the same religious beliefs , the country of provenance of your parents made a difference about how well accepted or integrated in the system you might be. Believe me, once you have been yourself subject to any kind of discrimination and felt your minority status, you are ready for begin a cure of Racism.
Also, coming back to Spain, I realize how antisemitic here we are. Do not even try to mention it to my fellow countrymen, most of the people just don’t see how pervaded is our culture by antijewish prejudices, and anti maghrebi too!
I appreciate your opinions, Luis.
This is great insight. Thanks!
Hey hi am lynn from Kenya and am planning to come study in Spain but am a bit scared now because of the rasicm that’s being said?
Hi Lynn, You must not be discouraged to study in your favorite institute. However, you should be able to stand if you get any unpleasant experiences. That was the purpose.
Hi Somto, thank you so much for your post which really opened my eyes. I was very recently considering moving to Barcelona with my family. We are a black family. Now I am not so sure based on the racism. We visited in 2015 and it was amazing, but I’d rather not live long term in a country that has so much racism and which doesn’t have laws to protect people of color or recognizes the need to do so. Sigh….
This totally resonates with me. I’ve recently returned from Spain and noticed how they look down on anyone darker skinned and always coming out with clever comments for no other reason than just walking by and minding your business. It’s embarrassing and funny they fancy themselves in the way they do but it’s testament to how ridiculous and backwards they are. I did meet some nice folk but few and far between. Spain looks like like its struggling financially and I’m not surprised. I will not invest there. Neither would I encourage anyone of colour to bother going there.
As a brown skinned American, I suffered similar racist treatment in Seville. I visited for work and would like to revisit to experience the layers of culture and history but not for the people.
Perhaps I’ll just take a virtual tour.
The Spanish and the Portuguese truly hate the fact that they are so mixed up that they don’t even know their origin. They hate themselves first and foremost.
Jews escaping Roman persecution arrive there around the first century, roughly. Carthaginians ruled prior, Romans, Visigoth, Moors. followed. The blood from the aforementioned runs through their veins.
Note to expats: Thoroughly Research the culture of the country prior to taking such a big step. No one should have to live through such degradation and shame simply because the land is beautiful and Rich with culture. Life with all its anguish is ours and ours to enjoy and not simply to endure.
Keep your heads high and be proud of your heritage. Remember that the motherland is the origin of life for Humanity as we know it.
lovely thoughts thanks for that!
I don’t know in which way you were discriminated but truly there is no place like home. However, as an American, you must think everyone is going to have American style politically correctness standards. It is not.
“The Spanish and the Portuguese truly hate the fact that they are so mixed up that they don’t even know their origin. They hate themselves first and foremost.”
That is an over statement. Should you hate yourself because you are mixed too? I mean, being in the USA where racism is prevalent, it should be scary. In such a case, let me tell you , you are better in Spain than in the USA. In Spain no one will shoot you down or step on to your throat until you die because you are black or mixed up lol
I understand the racism in Spain maybe frustrating to you but Spaniards know exactly who they are. They are just as mixed up as everyone else – no such thing as a pure race. And no- we dont hate oursleves lol… no need to go there…just makes you look bad.
Thank you for writing a very detailed post, Somto. I was doing some research on living as a POC in Spain. I’m Nigerian with a Nigerian passport and I was considering getting the digital nomad visa. But after reading your post I think I’ll pass. I’d love to visit tho.
I know that in Barcelona they are all mix so its hard to understand why they are racist. I can only say that countries that have roots of blacks like Italy, France, Spain etc. are most racist. But keep in mind they are ignorant but I did come across a site which not only recorded different nationalities but location of these people as if they were keeping tabs on them.
When “White” people practice racism they are not ignorant- they know exactly what they are doing.
The blog is misleading due to the eyes of the beholder with all due respect, the word racism should be replaced by “discrimination” or other title. Just because of this blog, many people believe in Spain there are KKK members waiting for black Americans to be hung. No because the ignorance of the Spanish people but because of the ignorance of Black Americans traveling there thinking a painted black face is as offensive as the costume of the governor of Virginia .
Spain is safer for most blacks than going downsouth to Alabama or Missisipi. You won’t get shot at a traffic stop. Believe me.
Hi! Thank you so much for this! I went to Barcelona for a week and didn’t experience racism, but I am looking to go study abroad in the summer and hearing of racism is scary. thank you for providing some clarity.
Hi Ruwadzano & Sugwueze,
I’m not sure if any of you will see this message since it’s been 2 years since you discussed this but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to send a message just in case.
I’m Ghanaian and I’ll be studying in Bilbao from September. I actually came across this blog while attempting to find out if salons in Bilbao do braids?.
I would love to know more about living in Bilbao in particular, and studying at the University of Deusto.
If any of you are still in Bilbao, (or not), please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I would love to know more about Bilbao.
Is all I am reading true? Your post and every single reply? I find it hard to believe. I am black (Dominican Republic) I’ve lived in Madrid, Spain for more than 10 years (my wife and children are too and all of them are black). We’ve never experienced any racist issue at all. But from what I’ve seen in Spain the Spanish themselves are racially insulted, threatened and attacked for immigrants. Let alone when I walk near some black person group and they offer you any drug you want to buy to be high. When my son holds his boyfriend’s hand (he is homosexual) when having a walk in a neighborhood where there are African people or Muslims or even people from my country living there or in the supermarket or any cafe or shop and they insult them and he was attacked twice. We have clear that we only want to have Spanish friends and my children have Spanish partners. I don’t wonder that Spanish don’t like blacks or immigrants in Spain after what I have seen and experienced.
Thanks for a very informative and balanced article. I’m a white Eastern European and rest assured the Spaniards also have a condescending approach to people from poorer economies. But their form of racism is not any different than the French treating Arab migrants poorly. If you’re Algerian you are by default a second class citizen with many migrants in the 20th century having problems to adapt and get descent jobs. It has been an unwritten rule for a long time that the French or Spanish would rather hire a less qualified white person than a migrant with higher skills.
Hence if people don’t want to travel to Spain they should also stay away from France. Also rude and narrow-minded with little acceptance of colored people.
It might be all related to Spain’s hatred for being occupied by the Moors and their historical zealous devotion to the Catholic Church. Religious percecution and the inquisition evolved from Spain and France with many minorities fleeing those countries. Perhaps they have an ingrained desire to erase anything that has stained their heritage?
hello Ruwa! I am also Zimbabwean and I am thinking about applying to a university in Spain. Seeing your comment really assured me because you’re a fellow Zimbabwean living in Spain and I really needed the reassurance. I don’t know if moving to Spain is a good idea but I’m in love with their culture and I just want to enjoy my college years as much as possible. I just hope to find other Zimbabweans and Africans there if I get in and hopefully the good outways the bad.
Tawana
hmm, I am black guy from London England and I also have white mates who have told me and I have seen that they have experienced racism, and that is white guys from all over europe, and I am telling you the truth.
And even I had to calm them down to stop them from starting a fight in public places. But not everyone is an idiot I got some spanish mates too. So if you study here, step up to places….dont lower your standards and make you you study (in my opinon) to run a business, not to work for someone else, take you career to a business level in the are you are studying and go global.
I have also spent time in Latin america, so yeah they get some rejection treatment here too, and to be honest some Spaniard have political issues between themselves, so things are complicated here.
Spain is a beautiful country, yeah I understand Spain wants to maintain its identities and cultures like any other nation.
but don’t spend you money in places where you are not accepted, that is a bad investment and is not worth of you. Mix with fools you become a fool, mix with the wise to become wise, so be choosey.
Choose you country of education wisely. Look at the country economy and international culture and how it treats its certain foreigners and see if that is what you want to inherit in your life. 2023 is just around the corner.
there are other lost of other beautiful countries also, and great places to live in Latin America, done let the media hype deceive you with negative media about Latin America.
Don’t waste you life in a country that demeans you and where you aint going no where, you got one life to run with, don’t waste it. many people have tried to do well in one region, changed and then became incredibly successful doing the same thing somewhere else.
Enjoy spain but keep you options open.
Wow! I’m looking to go to Madrid with my boyfriend soon, can you recommend any areas to go there? Your post is so true, I’m of Jamaican heritage living in the UK and I can easily experience racism here just as much as anywhere in the world, but on the bright side, we can also have fun and enjoyable experiences.
Really appreciate this post.
Hi Krystal,
I’m glad you liked the post! You’ll love Madrid! I’m actually visiting soon as well – going to be there for most of May. In terms of recommendations for places to go, I just wrote a post about 101 things to do in Madrid. You can read it here: http://www.somtoseeks.com/101-free-or-cheap-things-to-do-in-madrid/
My God I’m African American and was about to take a trip to Barcelona, Spain. Now I am canceling everything America is so racist I could just stay here. I refuse to spend money to receive such treatment.
Hi Louise,
I understand your sentiment, and it’s totally okay if you choose not to go. But I also think we shouldn’t let the fear of racism stop us from traveling. Just focus on what you want to gain out of the trip.
It’s not fear it’s disdain….Just read this story and it made he incensed:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marius-makon-racist-attack_n_5aa01a98e4b002df2c6014e3
I am
thinking the same almost
like they can have
it…but should I deny myself?!
Racism and ignorance is around the World.
I especially could understand a post pertaining to European countries with historical ties to
Africa the most racist…you see the same in
Cuba, Columbia, Brazil,
Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico..
The brown skinned citizens are discriminated against and are mostly very poor whereas the whiter skin prosper.
I am a woman of colour and Barcelona is amazing, I had no issues there at all except from the asian shop owners and that was just general rudeness. The first words uttered to me when I walked in to a bakery was ” Holaa Reyna” which means “Hello Queen” I found the people there super friendly and the city is heart stoppingly beautiful.
Hi Somto,
Thank you for sharing such a well balanced perspective of Spain. I had not heard of racism in Spain however, being Black, I anticipated it would be there. I am traveling to Ibiza this July as my first international trip across the pond and wanted to get a view of what it would be like being Black and Abroad. I’m hoping my experience will be a great one for the week I visit. I will definitely try to take a page out of your book and ignore the micro-aggressions.
Cheers!
Hi Phillip!
That’s awesome! I still haven’t made it to Ibiza. I’m sure you’ll have a great experience! Everyone I know who has gone has loved it. Enjoy!
Ibiza is very cosmopolitan and super friendly, you shouldn’t have issues there
me too
you shouldn’t have issue in ibiza its a coolest place, for me i suppose
Ugh. I’m so sorry about this. It pisses me off!! I’m Filipino-American in Barcelona. I’ve had very few instances of overt racism in Spain. Plus the “ching Chong ching”? Small minds. Those few instances always take me aback. They’re unforgettable. I’ve never ever experienced it in the US. It’s the few bad apples that ruin the whole bunch sometimes!
Hi Justine,
I’m so sorry to hear about your experience! There is a lack of cultural sensitivity in Spain. That’s why they think it’s okay to call convenience stores ‘Chinos.’ It’s offensive! But for every bad apple, there are tons of decent people.
“chinos” is just chinese in spanish…
Yes. It only means “Chinese”. That can’t be offensive, it is just a domonym like “Spanish” or “American” would be.
This woman should revise her sectarism and terrible description of Spain. She understands nothing. Let’s not even talk about what she made up regarding our history of “slavery”, when Isabel the Catholic was among the first ones in the Western hemisphere to outlaw it (Testamento de Isabel la Católica).
Saying “chinos” is just like saying “españoles” or “estadounidenses”. They are adjectives utilised to appoint nationality. They are not despective in any regard. They are simple adjectives.
Almost all bazars in Spain are led by Chinese families, that is why we call them “chinos”, not out of disrespect, but because it is a specific type of business that’s been monopolyzed by that specific ethnic group. I wouldn’t mind other countries doing that with us, Spaniards if we did the same.
For instance, when we go to an Italian restaurant, we say “vamos al italiano” and same with a Chinese restaurant; “vamos al chino”, which would also be said when going to a bazar because of the aforementioned reasons. Really, calling this racism, is just sectarism, and even more when describing all these supposedly racist attitudes you do it from your native cultural perspective ignoring or missing cultural things from this country. Some situations she described have also happened to me, it’s not a racist thing but rather a cuktural one. It is important to take culture into account before making all this absurd huge bunch of flagrant and insulting accusations over a country that has welcomed you. It’s a pitty, really.
Also, one of my best friends is Colombian and darker skinned than I am. And we get along really well. Most Spanish people, like me, consider Hispanics from the other side of the ocean our compatriots, our brothers. It is very common to have groups of friends with people from different Spanish-speaking countries. We laugh at the funny particularities of every accent friendly and even import words from other Spanish variants. They do the same with our variant of Spanish.
It’s a cool vibe. We understand each other because we ahre a common culture, plus they are the first ones we connect with when going to countries like the US, because they are so similar culturally, that we get along really well and feel like we were from the same country on another country (US) that we don’t even know. That way we feel less isolated xD.
Really, it is sad to read this article, there are so many lies, cultural misunderstandings, and misrepresentation of history. Spain is not what she described. I love foreigners. Racist people do exist, like everywhere else! Whenever I encounter one I tell him or her off! I hate racist people, they suck. But that’s a tiny portion of the population and she picks isolated cases that literally happem everywhere to portray it as if racism was the norm in Spain. Shame on you!
In Spain and Latin America, Chino (literally means Chinese in Spanish) refers to Asian. It is not because of racism but its because we are more familiar with Chinese since majority of Asian immigrants of both Spain and Latin America are from China. To be honest, most of us can’t tell the difference between a Chinese, Japanese, Korean. As for Filipinos, although Spain ruled their country and Philippines was mentioned in Spanish history but most Spaniards today are not familiar with Filipinos and so for the most part, we see them as Asians just like the Chinese, Japanese, Korean immigrants. I know this sounds like pure ignorance but still ignorance is not an excuse for racism especially when the person in question feels uncomfortable with the term.
Thank you I’ve been to Spain a handful of times! It’s only this time when I ventured out if the tourist areas that I experienced racism pretty sad I do love Barcelona
Thank you I’ve been to Spain a handful of times! It’s only this time when I ventured out if the tourist areas that I experienced racism pretty sad I do love Barcelona
Hi Nacee. That’s great that you enjoyed Spain! Small towns are the most racist so I would never venture there. Tons of other beautiful places to see!
I’m a black American. Wow! You know this makes Spain a bit like the US? Larger cities & college towns in America tend to be the less problematic for blacks.
I love your assessment though! I’ve been to Spain 4 times on vacation. Was thinking about relocating there but was concerned due to some reports of harassment of black soccer players – hence, reading your take. I’ve only had a minor racial…thingy(?) in my 4 visits that I ignored. Some woman staring oddly at me on the Barcelona metro!? The rest of my visits have been great. Great hotel, bar, clubs, museums, and restaurant experiences. I love the vibe there as a vacationer!
I once read the Spanish are a bit “sophomoric “ about racism – occasionally insensitive but generally harmless. A sort of racism-lite that you would never confuse with say…Mississippi with its implicit violent intentions. Although, monkey chants are just plain weird and offensive.
It is a shame. I like Spain. I will say that being black in most places has its challenges. I would recommend folks visit Spain as well. Like America, the good far outweighs the bad. And I don’t want to restrict myself because of other people’s “possible” issues.
I really enjoyed your post, however will never visit Spain. I will not spend my tourist dollar in a place to feel uncomfortable or less than. I have heard personal accounts from family friends about how they were treated. To be honest nothing ever really moved me about visiting Spain. I will also rope the Dominican Republic as another place I will not spend my tourist dollar. Thank you for you post is was really informative.
Hi Rue. Thanks a lot! I’m glad you found the post informative. I can totally understand your reasoning for not visiting Spain. Countries should treat tourists who help their economy well, regardless of skin color. I, too, don’t plan on visiting the Dominican Republic. I can’t think of a single reason to visit.
What’s wrong with the Dominican Republic?
May I ask why? I’m from there. If this has to do with the Haitians passing or borders, you must understand that we have to protect our borders just like any other country. You’re missing out! It’s a beautiful country.
Hi Neydis,
It’s not about the Haitians crossing your borders. It’s about the intense disdain for black people that leads many Afro Dominicans to deny their blackness. I feel like that has put off from visiting, but who knows maybe I’ll have a change of heart.
Hello, I understand your disdain towards some black people in the dominican republic where black people deny their skin color, Sammy Sosa. Sammy Sosa left me speechless just because of what he did and I never saw that coming.
Hi David, I was also really shocked to see what Sammy Sosa did to himself. It’s a shame that he feels the need to go to such lengths to deny his heritage.
Hello Sugwueze, Yes, my sister went to the Dominican Republic and said that the people were very racist towards her… My sister rarely ever experienced racism, and rarely complains about it when she does, she will never go to the Dominican Republic again…She was shocked at how racist Dominicans are to Black people ,and many are Black…Shocking Self Hatred in the Dominican Republic…
HI Sonita,
I am sorry to know that your sister had a bad experience in the Dominican. Actually, Dominicans don’t believe that racism exists in their county. And the heavy burden of racism and sexism is faced by Africans.
May your sister never face such an experience again!
Way to stay on code. Keep our money in our hands. Practice racial nepotism just like every other race and ethnicity.
Hi dear, very sorry to hear wat u experienced in the hands of the spanish people. I am a ghanaian n a mother of two planning to visit malaga or Madrid with my husband and kids middle of july ,please how sure can i feel safe if we are planning on staying in a hotel? It scary and at the sametime i want to go n see that beautiful land of spain. Any advice on any affordable hotel to stay and is there any place to visit with our kids? Or still the same is there anyone u know that can help us out so we dont feel left out in Spain.thanks
Hi Princess,
Malaga is a great resort city with beautiful architecture and delicious food. You have absolutely nothing to worry about! It’s a great place for families.
In the middle of July, hotel prices will be higher, but you can find deals on Booking.com If you use my link you will earn a $25 cash reward when you stay at an accommodation booked through the website.
Some great places to visit are the Alcazaba (the Moorish palace), the cathedral, a restaurant called El Pimpi, and the Picasso Museum. Hope that helps!
Hi – Thak you for your well balanced article. I am a Black British and wondering what its like to live in Barcelona. Would you by any chance know? Thank you.
Hi Angel,
I’m glad you liked it! Barcelona is a big city with lots of expats and is actually very different from the rest of Spain. Although they do speak Spanish there, their mother tongue is Catalan. Because Barcelona is so touristy and cosmopolitan, being black won’t make you stick out. I’m not sure about the level of racism in Barcelona, but I do know that black women from the US and Britain are sometimes mistaken for prostitutes. Men will come up to them and ask how much they charge. It’s because there are a lot of prostitutes from West Africa in Barcelona.
Other than that, I think Barcelona is a pretty laid-back city. As a Black Brit, you will likely be treated better than African immigrants. Hope this helps!
Jesus somto…. geeeez
Hello:
I’m a 56 year old African America female traveling solo to Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid in June. I noticed in your post you specifically stated “going to the out-of-this-world Las Fallas festival in Valencia (yes, Valencia).” Is there more overt racism in Valencia? I’ve traveled to Europe extensively, however, this will be my first time traveling solo. Got tired of waiting on others. Do I have reasons to be concerned?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Willa,
That’s amazing that you’re traveling solo! When do you leave for Spain?
With regards to Valencia, I can’t really that there is more overt racism there. I was only there for the last day of the Las Fallas festival. Also, I have a black friend who lived in Valencia for a year and enjoyed it. She didn’t experience any problems with racism. Maybe my experience was a one off. You don’t need to be concerned! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Valencia has a lot to offer. And the paella is the best!
Thanks for the detailed view! I’m planning a trip to Spain this summer and wanted to check what things would be like before going. I usually never think about racism, wasn’t really aware of it till recently. I’m a British/Egyptian nubian girl and I’m a mix of dark skin and I’m veiled – so…
Hi Rukia,
I’m glad you found the post helpful! Since you’re just going for a summer trip, I wouldn’t worry about racism. You should be just fine, assuming you don’t venture into small towns. Have fun in Spain!
Hi! I’m Spaniard, and I’m so sorry that you have experienced this racism during your stay in my country 🙁 Although we Spaniards think that our society is not racist, we have a lot of racist behaviours that we must correct. Most of them are not really meant to be racist, they’re just “innocent” comments or attitudes that have no bad intention behind them, but anyway they’re hurtful attitudes that we, as a society, must eliminate. Anyway, I’m glad you still love my country despite the racist behaviour of some Spaniards 🙂 Spain has a lot of dumbasses (like every country), but most of us are normal people and love to know people from a lot of different ethnicities and countries. If you are a black person and you are afraid of coming to Spain, don’t be afraid! Visit our country, it has a lot of things to offer, and the majority of Spaniards will welcome you 🙂
Lots of love from Pamplona 🙂
Hi Pablo,
I really appreciate the open-minded message! I’m so glad you acknowledge that racism is an issue, whether intentional or not. I actually just returned from Spain. I spent 3 weeks in Madrid, Vigo, and Granada. Didn’t want to go home! Spain is a such a beautiful, fascinating country and definitely one of my favorites. The vast majority of Spanish people I’ve meet have been warm and welcoming. It’s just a few bad apples that tainted my experience. Again, thanks for the sweet message! I really appreciate it.
I am African American and I, too, recently visited Spain for three months. I loved it! I spent all my time in Valencia studying the classical guitar. I’m originally from California. Spain is the only country that I have left with tears in my eyes after visiting there. I did experience some discrimination but, it was not totally unexpected because I have traveled throughout Asia and it is there too. I currently live in Malaysia (5 years). I plan to return to my love, Valencia in May of 2019 to continue my classical guitar studies. Hopefully, I can find a way to extend my time beyond three months. It is a beautiful city and I find that the vast majority of people are friendly and kind! At least a lot of the ones I’ve met.
Hi Lionel,
It’s great to hear that you had a memorable time in Valencia. I plan to give Valencia another try after my unfortunate first visit. I think it’s a promising city, and I have friends who love it. I haven’t been to Malaysia yet but it’s high on my list.
Hi Lionel
I also live in Malaysia right now (KL) and plan to move to Valencia soon..
Would be great to be in touch..
Great post. I’ve been living the past 8 months in Barcelona and have definitely encountered a few microagressions here in Barcelona. Nothing worse than one can encounter in the US as an African-American. I do have a question however. I got selected to be a cultural ambassador in Zaragoza. Not sure if you’re familiar with the program or if it’s the same one you did. I’ll be a teaching assistant, but will need to do private lessons for extra income. My main concern is what happened to your co-workers; that no one will want to hire me because I’m black. If it was Madrid or Barcelona I wouldn’t be as concerned, but Zaragoza is smaller and seems like it has more work to do regarding race relations. What do you think? Should I give it a shot?
Hi Jonn,
Are you referring to the North American Language and Culture Assistant/auxiliar de conversacion program? If so, that’s the same one I did. I went on a day trip to Zaragoza so I can’t say much about the degree of racism there. But I don’t think you should worry about not getting hired for private lessons. Even if someone turns you down, there will be others who are would be more than willing to have you. My co-workers in Madrid had issues specifically because of the types of teachers at our school. It may be completely different from the school you’re assigned to. Zaragoza is a calm, beautiful city so I’d say give it a shot. They also have Festival del Pilar every October, which I’ve heard is amazing.
Why do people think black American women are prostitutes? That’s rude and it sucks. Can you also tell me how they treat black American gay women?
Hi Alice,
I know it’s terrible. It happens because there are many West African women who work as prostitutes in Barcelona. So if you’re a black woman from anywhere they may assume you’re a prostitute. I’m not sure how they treat Black American gay women, but I haven’t heard anything negative with regards to that. Hope that helps!
Hi Somto,
Thanks so much for this post! Amazing!
I am a Nigerian American who lives in the US with my Nigerian husband and 2 boys. We are currently visiting Spain for 3 weeks, heading to Madrid today after spending a week in Seville and Granada.
I just couldn’t put my finger on what I was experiencing so I googled “being black in Spain” and that’s how I came across your post. I am quite taken aback by the nasty looks and stares and the sheer unhelpfulness for even simple things. And my husband speaks Spanish fluently!
I tried to explain it to my husband but he’s truly oblivious to it. I feel so much better reading your post. I now know it’s not in my head and now I can relax and continue to enjoy the amazing food, sites and culture.
We will always have to live with the unfortunate and unfair stigma of being black anywhere we go. It’s what it is.
Thanks again!
Hi Rosemary,
Thanks for compliment! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Sorry to hear about your experience with rude and unhelpful people. Unfortunately, there are ignorant people everywhere so we just have to focus on the good. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip! I actually just came back from visiting Madrid and Granada, and I’m having major withdrawals!
Hi!
Can you share more about your experiences in Bilbao in terms of racism? I’d love to go there for a 1 year study, but am really concerned about racism as a black latin american.
Thanks,
Darlan
Hi Darlan,
Overall, my experience in Bilbao was fantastic. Basque people tend to be more reserved and just go about their business. They may be racist, but they’re usually subtle about it. The only racist incident I can think of is when my sister came to visit and went to the supermarket. On her way back, a couple saw her, clutched their belongings, and rushed to the other side of the street. Bilbao is a great city to study abroad and so different from the rest of Spain.
Hello there. Loved reading your blog about Spain. I am not so sure I would want to visit and spend my money in a country so overtly racist. But tell me, you mentioned the Dominican Republic and not wanting to visit there. Why not?
Dorothy, from America.
Hi Dorothy,
I’m glad you enjoyed the post! I don’t think you should let racism stop you from visiting Spain. There’s racism everywhere because people are ignorant. The vast majority of people I met in Spain were welcoming, and I made lots of Spanish friends I still keep in touch with.
Hi Dorothy,
I forgot to answer your second question. I wouldn’t visit the Dominican Republic because of the abhorrent treatment of black people there. The country has a long history of discriminating against its black population. For decades, black people were not even included in the census – the government just pretended they didn’t exist. I’ve found that Afro Dominicans are often self-loathing and deny their blackness. As someone who is unwaveringly proud of my Nigerian roots, that really irks me. I just can’t see myself spending my hard earned money in the Dominican Republic.
It’s the same in Brasil. That explains why Sammy Sosa and Neymar bleached their skin and straightened the hair.
Hi Jeeves,
I knew about Sammy Sosa’s drastic change of appearance, but I didn’t know Neymar bleached his skin. He just went down in my estimation. The level of self-hatred in these countries is really sad.
Hi,
I am a graduate student from the Caribbean who is living in Barcelona and I am just about ready to pack my bags and go home. Prior to my coming to Spain I had never experienced racism. In fact, it annoyed me when Blacks, specifically Black Americans as I am more familiar with their stories, would latch on to the issue of racism and would make every issue about race. Yes, I’ve had stares when visiting places like Singapore or Indonesia for example but at the very worst they amounted to mere curiosity, but never racism. Like you, I do enjoy the fact that Spain does have a lot of beauty and character and can bring about wonderful experiences but unlike you, I don’t know if I can drum up the courage to go out and enjoy it. Spain is making me into a very bitter and angry person. On my way home from school yesterday as I walked by a few high rise buildings, there were “objects” (a yellow looking fruit) thrown at me. At first, I wondered what was falling from the trees, but then as I looked up and realized there were no trees, another object whooshed past within an inch of my ears. I turned to see who the miscreant was but I did not see who was doing it and as I continued walking the objects continued flying through the air all aimed at me. Now, I do not wish to be lengthy in my post so will not talk about my numerous other bouts with racism here. Suffice it to however that what annoyed me most was when I shared my experience with someone today how she tried to negate the experiences I have been having. I must concede though that she was right about one thing that as a Christian I do need to find ways to cope better because truth be told, I was so angry yesterday that I would have fulfilled the stereotype that blacks are some kind of savages, as I might have climbed that person like a monkey on a tree and ripped them to pieces. Now that I’ve had time to think it through, I have come to realize how racism in Spain could have cost me everything that I have been working so hard to build, my unblemished reputation and especially now when it is of utmost importance as I am transitioning to a professional field where character of good fit is everything, I could have lost it because yesterday my proverbial cup started running over. Then today when someone told me that as a Christian I should try to find out why the objects were pelted at me as it could have been a child or a crazy person, I realized that even worse that these overt acts of racism is relaying your story to people who have no capacity to understand being black in Spain. Imagine, she is a native Spanish born and over 30 years my senior and yet no child nor crazy person ever pelted objects at her but it so happen that I have been here for less than a year, and is over 30 and for the first time in my life I’ve had people pelting objects at me. Go figure. Now I know this person is really trying to be nice, she is a great human being and a beautiful soul but honestly I’m so upset right now that I cannot be around people who are so insensitive to my plight. Now I am not looking for sympathies, but what Idont want is to be patronizedand or be surrounded by people who cannot relate to the fact that the most hurtful experiences I’ve had thus far in life have been here in Spain. That being said, I hope to channel all the negative emotions into something positive and I do wish to be part of the solution rather than add to the problem.
Hi Ann,
I’m terribly sorry about your experience in Barcelona! It makes me so mad reading about the idiot who threw fruits at you. How immature and petty! I find that most of the time trying to have a conversation about racism with Spaniards is futile. I’ve tried to explain the problem with blackface to Spaniards without success many times. They just don’t get it because it seems like cultural sensitivity is non-existent in their culture. I talked to an American friend who lived in Spain for 3 years about this, and he mentioned that the overt racism in Spain could partially be attributed to the Franco dictatorship. Throughout the 50s and 60s when civil rights and independence movements were happening around the world, Spain was largely closed off. Spaniards never took part in the global dialogue about race and equality that occurred during that period. But that still doesn’t excuse making monkey noises or throwing fruits. Have you considered moving to a different part of Spain? I personally hate Barcelona and have heard all sorts of horrors from black travelers, like being mistaken for a prostitute. I think you might like Andalucia better. The people there are warm, friendly, down to earth, and so full of life. It’s in cities like Granada and Sevilla that I’ve felt most welcome in Spain. Thank you so much for sharing your story, and sorry again for the abhorrent treatment you received in Barcelona.
What she is experience in Spain is probably worse than what you’d experience in DR. You need to heed the words of American Blacks that try to warn you. Blacks of the diaspora are not as familiar with this direct type of racism and are offense taken aback when they receive their “Negro” wakeup call
Thank you for your post, I am glad someone acknowledges the racism here, I have been living in Madrid for two years, I am half Brazilian, half English and often referred to as “Sudaca Guiri” by some people who I have now thankfully removed from my life, but when I speak Spanish with an English accent I often get rude responses, or simply they say they don’t understand (I have been speaking Spanish for over 20 years). I previously lived in Barcelona 12 years ago, and it’s a different world, and Ibiza 2 years ago, I would recommend both.
Hi Paul,
I’m glad you enjoyed the post! Spaniards have a lot of work to do with when it comes to cultural sensitivity. Saying they don’t understand your Spanish is just another way of being rude and unhelpful. I’ve experienced that before, even when I spoke slowly and enunciated. I’ve never been to Ibiza but I absolutely despise Barcelona – the most overrated city in Europe and possibly the world!
A few years late to the party but I couldn’t go without responding to this comment. I am of African American and Puerto Rican descent, born and mostly raised in NYC. It has always been a pet peeve of mine when people from the Caribbean, Africa or other parts of the African diaspora discount or dismiss the racial experiences of African Americans. It is extremely disrespectful but as was stated in the article, your point of origin is what gives you perspective. I am sorry that you received your wake up call to racism in this horrible way. I’ve experienced it all of my life in both the US and Spain. Although in the US it is mostly institutional. I most certainly have never had fruit thrown at me in the US. When it comes to racism I think that there’s no such thing as micro-aggressions. Racism is racism and it all stings and eats away your soul. Though my father is white passing, as is his family, I look obviously mixed. My experiences traveling and studying throughout Spain are mixed. When I am perceived as American I am fine. When I am perceived as Arab or Dominican, things go south quickly. I will not overlook racism anywhere and will no longer spend travel funds to visit places who won’t address these issues. There is the entire Caribbean and the African continent to visit, where I can spend my well earned travel dollars and not have to deal with racism.
Hi,
Thanks for sharing your story from the perspective of black traveller. I do really appreciate your experiences and positivities in Spain.
Im going to Barcelona soon for Master Degree study. Im Thai and I have Chinese descent. And I believe that’s the major concern since your mention that you, your twin sister, your Chinese friend were ignored from the service.
Have you heard any racist story toward Chinese (Chino) in Barcelona?
Hi Cruze,
How exciting! Congrats on your new chapter in Barcelona. Unfortunately, I’ve found that there is some racism towards Asians in Spain. There are convenience stores called ‘Chinos’ which are run by Chinese immigrants. Most of the Chinese immigrants I’ve met in Spain have either been students or shop owners. They normally work blue collar jobs and are treated as inferior by middle-aged Spaniards in particular. In my school, teachers would slant their eyes to look like an Asian for certain role-playing exercises. They really don’t see anything wrong with it. That said, I don’t think you should be worried. You’re a student so you’ll be surrounded by lots of like-minded individuals. Will you experience in Barcelona? There is a chance, but I think the main issue is a lack of cultural sensitivity. I think it’s important to be informed about race issues in Spain, but I would just focus on enjoying the experience. Who knows? You may not even experience any racism at all.
I am heading to Barcelona with my husband (who is white) and our < 10 year-old twin boys. We are Americans. My Ghanaian/Nigerian mother is going to meet us there (flying from Accra) — she spent 30+ years living in NY and American passport, etc.. So we will travel as a 5 person family.
I have become a nervous wreck. I did not realize the racism in Spain, but black friend after friend has pointed it out to me, since I have planned our trip. Friends who are not black clearly had no idea…I am really worried about the kids and my Mom (who hasn't traveled much and I wanted this trip to inspire her to travel!).
So my Mom arrives/leaves BCN airport. Her flights in and out are around 7 pm. What is the best way for her to get to and from the airport by herself? On her way in to Spain, we could meet her at the airport. Should we? Since we leave Spain 12 hours before her, on the way out she is solo. Should she be alone in Barcelona? Stay at the hotel all day? Just come to the airport and stay there all day? What would be the best bet for her by herself? She'll happily sit and read magazines all day…This will our last hotel before we leave and I have asked for late checkout. https://www.hostalgrau.com/en/
Circling back to the beginning of the trip…
First, the family will spend 3 nights in Eixample in Barcelona and then fly to Granada. We will then drive to Ronda (visit Malaga and maybe Tarifa). Then we head to Seville (visit Cordoba) and fly back to Barcelona.
What do you think about staying in AirBnB type places? I have booked through Kid&Coe https://www.kidandcoe.com for Barcelona. In Granada, I booked through Genteel Home https://www.genteel-home.com.
I am now particularly concerned about our visit to Ronda (2 nights), because it may qualify to you as a small town? What do you think?
In Seville, we are staying at a Starwood Hotel which I feel will be the most "safe".
If there are places you recommend we go or stay away from in any of these places, please let me know. Your post was very reassuring and I'd like to try to avoid bad experiences to the extent that I can.
Maybe with all of this info, I have helped someone plan their trip to Spain! Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
Hi Theresa,
I don’t think you should be worried! When is your trip? Sure, there’s racism in Spain but you may not even experience it. There are just a few bad apples; most Spaniards are decent people.
I think the best option for transportation for your mother would be to take a taxi. She could also take the Aerobus to Placa d’España or take the metro Line L9 to the city center. But I think a taxi would be the most hassle-free approach. A taxi costs 40 euros one way. I also think she would be fine alone in Barcelona. She could stay at the hotel and then head to the airport a couple of hours before her flight departs; there’s no need for her to stay at the airport all day.
Your itinerary sounds fantastic. Andalucia is by far the best region in Spain, in my humble opinion. Granada is my favorite city in the world! be sure to tour La Alhambra palace. I have stayed at lots of Airbnb and apartments around Spain and had a good experience. The accommodation sites you booked through looks professional and classy so I’m sure you’ll be fine. With regards to Ronda, I wouldn’t worry! I’ve heard amazing things about Ronda, and the people in Andalucia, whether in small towns or big cities, tend to be warm and welcoming. You don’t need to worry about safety in Sevilla. Any standard hotel or Airbnb would be just fine. If you’re looking to splurge in Sevilla, the Hotel Alfonso XIII is a beautiful, historic hotel that’s centrally located. I hope I’ve answered all your questions. Let me know if I missed anything and enjoy your visit to Spain!
Very interesting reading your post about your experiences in Spain. I am from India, and I live in Canada at the moment, I am also of mixed race from generations ago. Anyhow, my husband and myself went to Seville about two years ago on holiday, while I didn’t experience overt and blatant racism (not like in Poland), it definitely was there, on the surface, brimming. The worst was the endless staring, like a zoo animal, the civil but cool treatment, and the pointing in a small town, I mean pointing at me while the whole side walk cafe turned to stare and discuss. However, as you mention, not everyone was so, I did experience one or two very lovely people but not many I am sorry to say. The Air BnB family that I rented a flat from were nice, very helpful, but they were surprised to see me on their doorstep when we arrived, you know the look I am talking about. It didn’t help (or maybe it did) that my husband is white, which adds to the race issue, not only am I an Indian but in a mixed relationship too, gosh that must be too much to take in.
I will go back to Spain, but I will go back with caution this time. It was my first time before and I went with such enthusiasm, and with naive thinking that I would not experience race issues like I did in many other places. My sister went there a few years ago (she has light skin and looks white), loved it, she never experienced any race issues, and so I just assumed all would be well. I was wrong!
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve been wondering and worrying about this for awhile. I’m mixed race but I am darker. I’m planning on visiting Europe and this is one of the biggest factors that’s contributing to if I visit specific places while I’m there. There’s some places (like Spain) that I really do want to visit but I am so fearful, especially after reading some of the comments. Like you said, there are some bad apples, but what I’m worried about is getting all of them at one go. That being said, I’ll be visiting a friend from Madrid in a few months. In a way, I hope that will help to eliminate some of the blatant racism, but at the same time I’m wondering if that means people who are racist will only address her, because that is a really possibility. I know you can’t anticipate everything and I’m still going to go – I just wish we lived in a world where articles and experiences like this didn’t have to exist.
Thank you so much again for your insight!
Hi SugwuezeS,
This blog has been VERY insightful. My husband and I are considering a visit to Spain next year. We are both African-American and live in the southern United States so we are both familiar with blatant and subtle racism. However, on vacation we would like to simply “be” and enjoy. We both love to travel and see new places but I am growing more and more reluctant about Spain. I’m simply not certain I want to risk spending our hard-earned dollars visiting a county and may have fruit thrown at us! That is just a LOT to take in….
If we should decide to move forward with the trip, what time of year do you recommend? This is slated to be a birthday trip but my birthday is in early February and I don’t want to sight-see in freezing temperatures. Preferably, we would like to find that “perfect” time period where the weather is nice but the cities are too crowded with tourists from around the world. I’d appreciate any advise and recommendations.
Hi Samantha,
I’m glad you found the post insightful! I think you and your husband can visit Spain without problems. I wouldn’t worry too much about the racism. Spain isn’t any more racist than the southern United States. The difference is that Spaniards have less cultural awareness and sensitivity than, let’s say, the English.
In terms of the best time to visit, I would say September. The weather is still warm or at least mild, and the tourists have mostly disappeared. I would avoid going in June – August, especially to Barcelona. Are you looking for a relaxing beach vacation or do you want to explore the cities. What kind of itinerary do you have in mind?
It isn’t just racism for black people as you come across it as you say relating to people from other people within Latin nations. Although myself I live on the Costa Blanca and do understand some of the issues that people face and others that people create. As Brits are probably one group they get sick and tired of more than anyone in this area due to the cheap booze holidays in places like Benidorm. But then again who created that environment?
At the same time I find Spanish generally pretty good (as I am British) and although you will come across the odd one, like the guy you mentioned being a ‘waiter” at a restaurant its often where people sit in society that makes a difference as well. There are plenty of racists in every society at a certain level. While at others people are better informed and educated, although the influx of migration into Europe is creating a lot of anger with many places within Europe. Including Spain that has already said it will not be the dumping ground of illegals. The relevance being that media plays a large part as does a lack of complete information. If for example people understood where a lot of the illegals are coming from and the Western causes then in all honesty there may be more understanding. But also they are more likely to do something about their own governments which in turn would reduce the problem in the first place.
Myself I am in a mixed marriage which complicates things further as I know many cultures experience racial issues or tribal simply because of not marrying into one’s own. Yet its part of life and the experience of educating people of how blind and stupid they often are. Rather than becoming over sensitive about it and doing nothing its sometimes better to react. For example if a waiter did that to me I would sit there, take a few pictures then stick it on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube with the business name and leave it live streaming of being sat there for 5 – 10 minutes of him refusing to serve you. I am sure that would do the restaurant wonders.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment! Honestly, I regretted just walking away from the racist waiter without doing anything. It was afterwards on the way home that I thought I should have taken a photo of the place and told my story on social media. These days when I travel to Spain, I have a zero tolerance policy for any racist people! I haven’t experienced any racism since the Valencia incident, but in the event that I do, I will raise hell. Name and shame.
You’re right. The racism extends beyond black people. The condescension towards Asians, Latinos, and even the Spanish gypsies is something I’ve noticed countless times. The superiority complex towards Latinos in particular is astounding, especially concerning the Spanish language. I’ve heard Spaniards say that Mexicans are destroying their language. It’s just so petty and unwarranted. I was also shocked that teachers at the school in Madrid where I worked thought it was okay to slant their eyes to look like Asians. And those were not even the racist teachers! They were the younger teachers around my age. This just highlights the bigger issue – a complete lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Hello there,
What a great article you wrote here. My husband and I have been traveling here in Spain for about 2 weeks now. My husband and I are world travelers and this is the first country where we experienced being treated subpar most especially in Barcelona. Madrid is not too bad. My daughter who recently graduated from DePaul University tagged along with us before starting her job working for a Senator in Chicago, summed it all up for us. “It seems like the darker your skin in Spain, the worst you get treated”. I’m a light skin Asian and my husband is Latino. But I still felt like they were a bit standoffish in restaurants or even in a rinky dinky store. Luckily I speak Spanish and when I hear a cashier murmuring something which I could barely hear, I would immediately ask for her/him to say it louder politely. But like anywhere else, racism will persist, and the best way to combat that issue is not to ignore it, but to confront the racist behavior in a civil manner right then and there, as I always tell my kids.
A store owner ended up apologizing to me yesterday for his employee’s behavior when I said out loud, Thanks god I’m an American. It is sad to see a cashier behave in such manner in this beautiful country” (in Spanish).
Thank you for this article once again.
Joy
Portugal is the most Hateful and Racist place on earth dude, or is it simply easier for you to Ignore that Truthful Fact??? From what i see, Portuguese are Constantly spewing anti-Spanish hate comments from their mouths in Canada so cut-the-crap with the poor innocent Portuguese routine, it’s old and nobody is buying that crap anymore!
*Portugal started the Global Slave trade in 1441 and it’s NOT safe for a black person anywhere there are Portuguese to date! Simply put, You Hate Blacks: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32419952
Thank you so much for your thoughtful post. We are a mixed race family from the U.S. traveling to Southern Spain (Madrid, Segovia, Cordoba and Seville; might have trouble fitting Granada into the itinerary with children) next summer. It will be the first time my kids go to Europe. I wanted to prepare my tween kids in particular for whatever attitudes thy might encounter on our trip and your post is very helpful!
Hi and thanks for this blog. I came across it when I searched google for “where do black people live in Valencia.” I’m African American and here in Valencia with my mixed-race family. So far we haven’t had any experiences like the one you’ve described in the Valencian restaurant, but your blog confirmed some suspicions I had about where people of African descent worked – the only places I’ve seen dark-skinned people working are as street vendors. I have seen many Black people who obviously live in Valencia and many who are enjoying what the city offers, but I’m still trying where these communities live and gather together since, as a tourist, I haven’t been able to find those areas yet on my own. In any case, thanks again for the blog, it was interesting and well written.
Wow, I’m still a bit nervous about going to Spain! It’s interesting that every time I read about, or watch a video on racism in Spain, the author STILL always recommends going to Spain, so maybe I’ll make it to Spain! Thanks for your honesty 🙂
Could it be because all of these authors have affiliate links that compensate them when you travel to Spain?? Or they have some other such kickback?
I’m not sure how contributing your tourist dollars helps improve cultural awareness and improve policies.
Some of the comments here are from people who want to escape the amount of racism that they endure on a regular basis where they live, even if only during vacation. The author doesn’t seem to understand that. The article is plenty informative though.
Hi!! I absolutely loved this article. I’m studying abroad in Bilbao for a semester and am worried about the racisim i will encounter. Additionally, i was wondering if you know of any salons that straigten black hair?
Thanks for sharing from your perspective (found your article from pinterest). I’m so sorry for all your horrible experiences in Spain. I would be livid. It’s so amazing and brave that you can still see the positive and have love for the country and people despite all that. I haven’t spent enough time in Spain to experience any racism (we were passing through), but we’re no strangers to some of the racism you described throughout our travels. Still…. it just makes me so angry and sad to read this.
Hi Esther. Thanks for the supportive message! Really appreciate it. Despite the negative incidents, I still had lots of precious experiences in Spain. I choose to focus on the good because, honestly, there are racist people everywhere. They won’t stop me from traveling and enjoying myself!
I have just finished my 2nd day solo in Barcelona. Im also a black female who took the risk to see the city on my own! I dont regret it. Although I did experience those annoying micro aggrssions ehich more insulted me more than anything, I realised that it seemed to come from the older generation and also a lot of the other European foreigners!
However although it was slightly embrassing that many of the european tourists seemed to avoid sitting next to me when I was in a restaurant, it didnt bother me as much as I like my own space anyway!
I found those who work in Barcelona ie on the buses, restaurants, etc, they were very approachable and friendly (maybe because theyre smart and know that money is good whichever colour hand it comes from lol) so thats why I say it seemed the microaggressions were coming from the European foreigners.
I also noticed that the men in general were more friendlier towards me than the females. At times some Spanish white females i came across were a bit stand offish and in my mind, I had to tell myself not to react to it.
The worst oberall experience was when an elderly white European foreigner (think she was German) told her pals in Vapainos to watch their bags. She shouted it out and pointed towards a muslim couple (the female was wearing a hijab) and she also pointed my direction (although my table was 2 tanles away). I looked at her with disgust and rolled my eyes at her and then complained about her as I left the reataurant. However, despite this would it stop me from going to Barcelona again due to prejudice forigners or elderly people who i have nothing in common withbanyway??? No way! I enjoyed myself amd would go again!
Hi Natasha, thanks for sharing your experience. I like how you put a positive spin on the negative experience at the restaurant. There’s an upside to the bigotry in a way. You’re right about the older generation. Most of the racism I experienced in Spain was from middle aged women. I also feel like the women in general were more racist than the men, based on my experiences in Madrid.
That is truly awful what the German woman did. What a nasty piece of work she is. You just have to brush off those types of people because they’re small-minded. You’re right. Don’t let petty people like her stop you from traveling where you want!
Hi Sonto,
I really loved reading your story and am so sorry for all of the terrible things you had to endure! I am a white American female who studited abroad in Spain and like most people, fell in love with the country. Also, being from the Bay Area we have many cultures and ethnicities here which I feel so grateful to have been a part of growing up.
Continue to shine your light of love and peace—-even if others don’t. You are a beautiful woman with a lot to offer this world as well as a positive example to other beautiful black girls in the world!
🙂
Hi, thanks so much for the sweet message. It really means a lot! I’m glad there a beautiful souls like you in this world.
Thank you for your article. I moved to Denia (Costa Blanca) 6 months ago from London. As a black woman, I have never experienced so much racism as I have here. It comes solely from the nazi Germans that have settled here. I wish I had known about this before I chose to move here. I fell in love with the beauty of the place, but on closer inspection, you are constantly stared at while going about your business. These stares are full of hatred and they are relentless. As you can imagine there is only so much a person is willing to put up with, which is why I have decided to leave this particular part of Spain and try another area. I advise black people to avoid Denia. Sadly, it is not a nice place for black people.
Hi Lucy, Thanks for sharing your experience. So sorry to hear about your experience in Denia. I’ve noticed that Valencia is nothing but trouble. That area is particularly insular, and the resort towns packed with Germans and/or Brits sound like a nightmare. Which part of Spain did you decide to move to?
Hi!
Race! Race! Race! I don’t, and don’t know if I will ever, care about anything ‘race’. I am Nigerian, living in Nigeria, but frequently travel. What I will like to first say is ‘these white people that treat people like aliens or somewhat creatures, aren’t they also receiving the same treatment in some other countries?’ If I could remember sometimes back when we were in our young ages, white people, from different countries, were called ‘oyinbos’ by us, (me and my peers) ( I will not specify the location), telling them to go back to ‘their America’ (we, at the time, thought all whites are Americans). We called upon our friends on seeing a white. And that was just something we did for fun.
Later, I traveled to a neighboring country, black people like me, Niger Republic, for specificity, called me ‘étranger’, stranger ( I know its meaning, already. I studied French in my secondary school), they misconceived Nigerians to be cheats.
With these noises all I want people to know is that for you not to face any discrimination you have to stay in your home, maybe locked up in a room or what. Lols. Race is everywhere. It’s only worse in some other places.
I visited countries like Luxembourg, Niger R, South Africa, England, Ghana, India, Paki, Indo, Paraguay etc, but not to Spain. After this pandemic, I will move on with my tourism (There are about seven remaining countries, on my list, to be visited). And now, after reading this post, I added Spain. I will definitely visit Spain, so as to experience the race, so as to get sth I will keep remembering about my trip to Spain. Without being humiliated or sth like that, one cannot take things serious.
Finally, I really like to say me I enjoy being raced, coz that helps me to fully enjoy my trip. It’s only racism from corps that I hate.
Go! Visit! See! Snap! Sleep! Eat!
You are yourself and you are living your life.
Thanks for sharing your experience! You are such a beautiful person and I am sorry for everything you went through! My husband (Brazilian), my 09 years old son (Brazilian), and I (Italian- Brazilian), live in Valencia. I am really tired of what my son is going through here! The kids from his school love him, but some parents ….. It is really sad to see that it is all over Valencia. I have met other people that went to terrible situations here. So ….. we are planing to move to Madrid and give one more chance to Spain.
One more time, thanks for this blog!
A big Brazilian hug!
Luciana
Hi Luciana, thank you so much for your message! Really appreciate the love. So sorry to hear about your son’s experience in Valencia. I found Valencians to be more close-minded than the rest of Spain, unfortunately. Madrid is a much better place to live, and I hope your son has a better experience there.
Hi, I spent 3 months in Valencia ending last month. I am older (72), African American and while I did experience a couple instances of bigotry, my overall experience was extremely positive. I met people at bus stops who were as old as I was and they were very friendly and open. I’m talking about both elderly and young males and females! They asked me what part of the US I was from (California) and they opened up like a book telling me of their visits to the US. Everywhere I went, with a couple of exceptions, I was treated good. One of the cafe owners gave me a nickname. Whenever I would visit I would say hola amigo and he started saying hola America. That became my nickname whenever I visited there. They suggested when I visit again (hopefully May) I learn some Spanish which I’m currently doing. I rode the buses and subway a lot and never experienced any problems at all. People on the bus would see me with my guitar case and they asked me if I was a visiting musician. When I first arrived, I was even told that I was eligible for a senior citizen subway pass and was told how to ride public transportation. I came to Valencia to study the classical guitar at the Yamaha Music School there and I was made to feel like I belonged there. I spoke very little Spanish and they made sure that they found an English speaking teacher for me. Let me tell you something. I live in SE Asia (Malaysia and Thailand) and I have experienced quite a bit of racism living there which I feel is worst than Spain. Thailand is the worst! I plan to return to Valencia in May for another extended stay for my music studies and the friendly attitude of the people there. It was the friendliness of the people and paella that won me over.
Hi Lionel,
Thanks so much for sharing your heartwarming experience in Valencia! Really enjoyed reading about it. I’m so happy to hear that you had a great time in Valencia and were treated well by the people. How cute for them to give you a nickname! That’s one of the things I love most about travel – making connections with the people you meet! I plan to return to Valencia at some point to experience what the city has to offer. I won’t let the incident that happened ruin how I view the place. Hoping you enjoy your return to Valencia!
I just found your blog and I had to post. I am a Black American male currently living in Spain. I’m sorry to hear about the incident that you had in Valencia with the waiter and I believe you 100%.I remember ordering takeout at restaurant in central Valencia and the cashier woman gave me a very rude look and had an arrogant vibe. But the worst situation I had in Valencia was from an Elderly British woman at a bus stop who loudly threatened to call the police on me for doing nothing more than being black at a bus stop in the mid afternoon, minding my own business. She was with her husband and a large group of other elderly brits and probably felt emboldened to make a scene. I also heard a story from an Kenyan woman studying abroad in Valencia that a group of teens had made monkey noises at her.
So it seems like something is definitely going on in Valencia. Of course not everyone in Valencia is prejudiced, I do have a good local friend there, as well as another local friend in Alicante.
I’ve largely avoided Madrid, only passing through for transit, it seems that the worse stories of racism come from there. I’ve heard that the cops routinely profile minorities for ID checks and the Madrilenos generally sound like snobbish, rude, racist people. Thankfully I’ve never personally experienced police harassment in any part of Spain.
I don’t think the racism in Spain is any worse than the states it is simply expressed differently. Thankfully the racism in Spain rarely turns violent as it often does in the U.S. Instead it expresses itself in prejudices, stereotypes and ethnocentrism. These expressions exist in the U.S. too but they are challenged much more often due to the fact that there are far more blacks in all levels of society.
Spain (and Europe) to some degree lacks “black superheroes”. America has mass incarceration of blacks, widespread black unemployment and underemployment, lower education attainment rates,etc.
But most white american men spend time looking up to “black superheroes” your Lebrons, Kobes, Will Smiths, Denzels, Obamas, Jayz’s, etc. So we have a dynamic where blacks socially looked down on as a group but the standouts are elevated beyond belief.
In Spain there is no black male with comparable representation in music, television or sports. American hiphop music is basically unknown in Spain. Their only experiences with blacks are typically the recently arrived African undocumented immigrants. And while there doesn’t seem to be much hate directed towards these groups there is a definite feeling of superiority, and they simply lump all blacks together.
I’m a teenager and am a little light skinned. Im going to Spain Madrid (autonomous University Madrid) to study international relations. I’m from Nigeria . Do you think I’ll find good friends with less Racism ??
Hi Chisom,
Since you’re going to be at a university, I think you’ll have an easier time making friends. There’ll be lots of young people, who don’t care as much about race than the middle-aged Spaniards. I had a great experience studying at Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao and made some good friends. I wouldn’t worry about making friends.
I’m so sorry you had this experience. I’ve lived in Spain for over ten years and am naturalised Spanish but with other cultural references too. After all these years some of the mindsets and attitudes in this respect still shock me, particularly when they come from people who should know better. I guess we are not very well developed in this respect. I think you are very brave to enjoy what the country has to offer regardless of the rude and small-minded bigots. Please know that there are many of us out there who are rooting for you 🙂
I truly do appreciate your post despite what I am about to say.
Here’s the problem… You are EXACTLY on point to emphasize the environment in which one has grown up… lending to how to view “racist misgivings”. Is that how you put it?
You are a True African-American… Your parents have direct links to African… So that was your start. So when you came here, the “little light racism” was something you could ignore.
But I was born in the US… my immediate links are this country. We were born from slavery. We grew up with parents giving us precautions on how to “deal” with white America. We should not have to carry the name “African-American, Negro, Niggar, People of Color, Colored”. There has been more than enough time for the idiots to grow up and recognize that every human being was created by God. They all run to church and profess to know God yet they are basically saying that “God is a fool and his creation isn’t good enough and he’s made a mistake” WHEN THEY THINK AND EXPRESS THE IGNORANCE OF RACISM… no matter how little or not as blatant as you think it is.
It’s tiring. It’s institionalized. When you were working the job, the 40-somethings are grown-behind people. The black-face morons are grown people not children yet they are as cruel as children.
The past is not the past over here in America… Its the tired old crap being reinvented. And the younger generation think because many are able to date and marry across racial lines without the restrictive laws being passed as it had been “and still is in some states just not enforced”…that we are somehow better. We are not better when I have to tell my son to not draw undue attention to himself outside of his normal good mannered, Christian upbringing… So he doesn’t end up just another black boy killed just because he was in the wrong place in his home country and town.
Racism in general is not little, it’s long overdue and something that the Devil uses to keep chaos going so people don’t recognize the real reasons for the mess this world is in today. But of course most people don’t even read the Bible or look to God much anymore and yet wonder why the world and the conditions are getting worse.
People from the ashes of slavery are just tired of not being able to live life the way God intended…Equal in his eyes and happy to enjoy life.
I’m sorry I have no intention of spending what money I work 3x as long to earn to burn in a country where I MIGHT experience the same “Subtle” mess I experience at home. The whole point of traveling for the “American that just happens to have melanin” is the escape, experience something new and welcoming and feel free.
I can be discriminatory too with my money… It doesn’t have to go to another country that can’t get their “racial overtones” regulated. I hate that that is how I feel because I do know that there are loving people there but what you experienced with tapas bar was what took place in “Jim Crow South”. I’m a Florida girl from age 3 on even though born in Seattle. The rest of family is Florida grown. My make up is “Island slave shipped from Ghana (maybe), Native-American, and rape of the White Slave owner”.
The abused abuse linger well after the major abuse has stopped. And the major aggressor slowed down in his aggression but still picks at the scabby wound that is not being allowed to heal.
Hi Jye,
Thanks so much for sharing your deeply insightful perspective. You’re right about racism being a long overdue problem, and it’s exhausting to have to deal with crap treatment in the 21st Century. I acknowledge that my view of racism as a Nigerian American is different from that of Black Americans with roots in this country. At the same time, I should note that the legacy of slavery and colonialism still affects black populations in Africa and around the world. Having an American passport and being able to be discriminatory with your money is a privilege. An American passport can save you from harassment and ridicule at border patrols across Europe. For someone with a passport from Latin America or Africa, that’s a different story. You have every right to be angry about institutionalized racism in America, but I think it’s important to point out the relative privilege that Black Americans enjoy abroad. If the prospect of experiencing racism in Spain bothers you, I’d recommend nearby Portugal. I’ve found the Portuguese to be more unassuming and welcoming, at least in my experience.
I am a black man from a hispanic country who has lived the majority of his life in the US. In fact i speak fluent Spanish with an American accent. I never had a dream or desire to go to Spain and only did so to meet a white Colombian who became my girlfriend. I spent 3 weeks in Madrid. The only thing i liked about Spain is the first world infrastructure and creature comforts. I would only want to visit, not LIVE there. The racism that I saw was subltle. I only saw African men with Chinese women, never Spaniards. And the Spanush have a special vehemence towards the Morrocans. That’s funny because if it were not fir the moors, spain would be another boring european destination. One time i was returning to Spain from Morocco and was immediately stopped by the customs police. I had a humongous bag and i was just coming from Africa. They probably thought that i was an immigrant. I have a nice recollection of the look of dejection on their faces when they saw my American passport. Personally, spain is no big deal for me and neither for my wife whose grandmother is Andalucian! It’s a nice place to visit, take in the sites, the palaces, the museums etc. But you couldn’t pay me enough money to want to live there.
Hi Eduardo,
I completely understand where you’re coming from. Everyone has different preferences about where they’d want to live vs where they’d want to live. For me, I enjoyed living in Spain but wouldn’t live there again. You’re right about the influence of the moors: visiting the palaces like La Alhambra is one of the main draws for me and tons of tourists. So Spain should be thankful for the moors! Thanks for sharing.
If you do not like Spain, go out!
It is easy!
The level of unemployment is very high in Spain. So we don’t need you to come work here. Do not bother yourself. Maybe you could work in your country. But here, there are hundreds of thousands of teachers here who can’t find a job, do you find it respectful to come and get a job for them? In Australia they wouldn’t have let you in, for example. In accessing jobs, nationals must always be prioritized.
As for the Moors, we owe them nothing. They were invaders. It is as if I tell you that Nigeria and Africa as a whole owes a lot to whites, what would you say?
Oh, thank you for your nice reply. Indeed, you do us a favour if you don’t come anymore.
The fact that you think Spain owes anything to Morrocco (a new brand created country) speaks volumes about your ignorance and your stupidity. Don’t you ever come back.
Yeah, I guess you are Dominican ? Puerto Rican? Don’t take it personal bro.
If you are from Dominican Republic they think you are bringing drugs to Spain. Do you know Dominican Republic is the gates of drugs for Europe through Spain? For a few rotten apples, everyone pays the consequences. Now that you met a Colombian partner, your travel may be worse, Good luck ! lol
Hey Somto,
I am so glad I found your blog. Thank you for your honesty in this article.
I am a Kenyan heading to Madrid this February for a one year language immersion program and TEFL program.
I have visited Valladolid before and I loved it there. There was a lot of staring but I never really experienced any racism.
After reading this, i am extremely worried and just wondering if i will survive Madrid? Will I get any teaching jobs? How easy is it to make friends? Is it even safe to go out at night?
Also, if there is any one with any advice please do share. I have a whole year in Madrid.
Thanks a bunch.
Sue.
Hi Sue,
I’m glad you found the article helpful! Please please please, I don’t want you to worry about racism! I just wanted to paint a complete picture of my experience in Spain because many black travelers have asked me about it. There’s nothing you can do about bigoted people. Just figure out what you want to gain from your year in Madrid and focus on that.
It is completely safe to go out at night! I walked around Madrid at night by myself many times and had no problems. Also, I made a lot of friends at language exchanges, trivia nights, and meetups. If you put yourself out there, you shouldn’t have trouble making friends with other expats at least. My advice is to stand your ground, keep your head high, and do what you want to do. The racists are there, but they shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your experience! I hope that helps.
Hello. I am really struggling to find a place to do my hair! I am a British born Ghanaian and I usually do weave, cornrow or braids. I live in Alicante but I cannot get anywhere to do my hair so I perm it at home myself but I would really love to get it braided or even better, get a good weave put in! Do you know any places that wouldn’t be too far or even if they’re far I’ll stay overnight.
I don’t feel like myself not having my hair done for 5 months now since I moved here!
Thanks.
Hi Angela,
That’s a real struggle for black women in Spain! I didn’t know where to do my hair either so I just wore a wig. If you visit Madrid, there are a couple of Dominican hair salons in the Lavapies/La Latina neighborhoods. in Lavapies, you can just get off the metro and ask any black person you see about the hair salons. If you walk around a little, you’ll find some hair shops, too. I’m not sure about where to do hair in Alicante, but if you go up to Barcelona you should be able to find black hair salons there. Hope this helps! Good luck.
Somto
Thanks alot for sharing from your perspective valuable information about these issue , iam so sorry for all your horrible experiences in Spain.
Iam from middle east with light brown skin i visited eurobe alot and now working as pharmacist in Dubai and iam planing to open immigrate and stay in spain and my choices is san sepastian or Valencia or barcelona or Madrid if I asked you to give preference in order plz .
Also i was planing to move to france but there is akot of racism there more than spain
Best wishes
Hi Aziz,
Thanks for your sincere comment. Really appreciate it! My preference would be in this order: San Sebastian > Madrid > Barcelona > Valencia. San Sebastian is an amazing city with beautiful beaches and the best tapas in Spain. I think it would be a great place to live.
Thank you for writing this article. I planned on living in Spain when I retire . I want to live there for at least 5 years, using Madrid as a base while traveling around Europe. I have been to Spain for 7 days and I liked it. I never experienced racism for that one week but I wouldn’t have ruled it out. When the Spaniards conquered they did so with great brutality. They a complex color, caste system, so I would have expected racism. I love the fact that you didn’t put them all in one bag. As you can see, you have some jewels among them. The landscape is mesmerizing! Living in Spain is just like living in America: you’ll have bitter- sweet experiences and that is life! Hold up your head and show your proud African heritage as I have always done.
Hi,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment! You’re right. There are bitter-sweet experiences associated with living anywhere, and Spain is no different. I still visit Spain and plan to continue visiting. It’s a truly beautiful country, and I’m going to let a few bad apples ruin it for me. Going to keep my head up and stay proud of my African heritage.
Thanks for this. I am an African Indian Australian planning my first trip, so loads of articles of your blog have been fascinating to me!
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you’ve found my content useful, and I hope you enjoy your first trip!
Thanks for this. I went to England and had a very short layover in Spain and did not have a very good impression. The more I learn about this place, the more I don’t ever want to go back. The people are weirdly unfriendly and stuck-up, at least in Madrid. Being mixed and part black, I guess I know now never to come here knowing what you just told me. This is crazy. Amazing how the media never reports this sort of thing. They cover up a lot about what goes on in the UK too.
Hi Roger,
It’s true: the media doesn’t report a ton of things when it comes to the experiences of people of color. That’s why it’s up to us to shine a light on what happens. With regards to Madrid, people from there are known to be stuck up. I observed that as well. Still, I think Madrid is a great city, and you’ll find friendly people if you look in the right places. I wouldn’t right Spain off completely. The Andalucia region, especially, is absolutely stunning and has some of the warmest people I’ve encountered anywhere.
Thank you for this blog; it’s quite informative. I’m traveling solo to Barcelona and Madrid in September. My flight is booked but I’m still working out where to travel.
Hi Jevon,
That sounds awesome! I hope you enjoy your trip to Spain. If you have the time, I’d definitely recommend you make a stop in Andalucia, especially Granada and Sevilla.
The way African immigrants treat African Americans in the USA, acting all snobby, stuck up, don’t want to be around African Americans and constantly seeking white people’s approval. And, you got nerves to sit up here and complain about racism in Spain?? the way Africans, are racist against every other tribe OR people with disabilities in their countries. You have no room to be talking! And just because you carry an American passport, don’t make you ‘American’, you guys are good for lying when you go to other countries, pretending to be “African Americans” because you know NOBODY likes Africans!! And, I really don’t care how you feel about this comment… I’m glad you went through hell in Spain, because that’s how Africans treat each other and African Americans when they come to the states. It really turns my stomach to see you people walking around in the US, the way you start acting all uppity and better than everyone else, once you get your charcoal butts in the states, when you guys are treated like cockroaches in your own countries!!
Let me be the first to apologize for any ill mannered behavior you encountered during your stay in Spain. Unfortunately, like many other populations around the world, the citizens are made to feel they’ve evolved within a pocket of culture and heritage which has not been influenced by anyone or anything else. These people seriously need to study their African roots and see they come from the same people they despise so much. The lighter population we see today is not the same of the darker skinned individuals a few thousand years ago. As a matter of fact, it was an agenda by Europeans some time ago, to go to places like this and “whiten” up the population by intermixing with the local people. This is specifically the case for brazil some decades ago and “racial whitening” being enforced to handle the “negro” problem (as they so called it). Research brazil and racial whitening. Just remember, that someone so ignorant as to pay attention to color is in fact just that, IGNORANT!
Hi Ra,
I really appreciate your sincere comment! You’re right that those who look down on people of color are ignorant, especially considering their roots. I’ve heard about the racial whitening in Brazil and many other places, and it’s really unfortunate. Many may look down on black people, but I think we should always hold our heads up high and be proud of who we are!
Hi Somto, I travel often and tend to keep the motto “dont go or spend money where I’m not wanted” now if I’m in a country and seem to notice that Im purposely being outcasted… I tend to find the area where the majority of native blacks live, and It never fails that I have a much more fun and relaxed time around my own people while also taking in the culture of their country. Now if I can find a black community in Pakistan…one can be found anywhere, and ss they say “we are everywhere” (haha) but I’m curious did you know of any majority Black-Spaniah neighborhoods?
I’m from Barcelona and I feel so sorry for what you went thru. Its 2019 already and yet there still exists some idiotic people with superiority complex. Racism exists everywhere although many don’t want to acknowledge it. As a Spaniard with Israeli-Moroccan-Colombian ancestry, I also experience many anti-semitic/anti-Israel/anti-Arab/xenophobic racist insults despite the government’s action in granting citizenship for Sephardic Jews like me as their move to “make up for their past mistake”. Still, anti-semitism is very much prevalent here. The EU’s pro-Palestine movement just made it worse, that movement made some of the people including my very own Spaniard father and my Spaniard ex-wife automatically equate us for either terrorists or evil Zionists. I can’t speak on behalf of all Israelis but most of us care more about having a peaceful life and harmoniously living with people from different faith and background. My late estranged dad was one of those racist Spaniards who had a superiority complex. He looked down on Blacks, Latinos, Jews, Middle Easterners, Arabs and Asians. Its the main reason why he didn’t treat me well as his son since to him I was just a product of ignorance when he impregnated my Israeli-Moroccan mother. Funny that he seem forgotten that his very own mother was a Colombian who although she was a blanca (White) but still with tiny percentages of both Native American and African blood in her.
Personally I admit that I’m not immune to colorism either but I’m trying my best to correct myself whenever I think of anything negative every time I come across a dark-skinned person.
I agree with Ra, racism is a product of ignorance. Whenever people shouts racist insults at me, I just shake my head and feel sorry for their lack of education.
BLESSINGS Somto
Thanks a WHOOOLE BUNCH!!!
I am so GRATEFUL that I was fortunate to stumble into your post. Your perspective has provided me with insight to weigh whether or not I will encourage my daughter to attend
university in Barcelona, Spain ??. She completed undergraduate degree May 2019 (from HBCU). At a notion, I thought it would be an excellent next level move to broaden her horizon while pursuing an advanced degree abroad. However, I would not want her to be that far away and feel antagonized/distressed. All said, your blog has had a profound impact towards this notion. Again, I am so very GRATEFUL I found your post!!! Thank-you & continue to ENJOY your life. Your vitality is AWESOME!!!
WELLNESS & LIFE ABUNDANTLY
Firstly, thanks for sharing your story. I came across your story because I was looking for The African Diaspora in Spain. I’ve been living in Spain for just a little over two years now.
Amongst other countries I’ve lived in in the Western world. I find Spain with its highly praised mediterranean diet over rated and most of her people boring and narrow minded.
The weather is uncomfortably extreme. The summer is unbearably hot whilst the winter is unimaginably bitterly cold.
The country is undoubtedly big with lovely beaches. The music is terrible and they can’t dance. The local Spanish sense of fashion very dull and boring. After two years I still don’t know what makes the Spanish great, any great place in the world is wonderful because of its people.
The architectural design was stolen from the Moores whose real factual history is rarely talk about if at all. They still don’t mix with the Arabs. What a surprise. They’re terribly indoctrinated with religion.
My husband and I had to report a pick-pocketing case with valuable items that were in his wallet. At the police station the policemen insisted on checking my passport even though my husband and I were clear that we were reporting his case not mine.
Repeatedly they asked me in a patronising manner, what my relationship with my husband was? With a genuine smile I repeatedly told them I am his wife.
We were travellers, holidaying in the area, so I had both our passports in my handbag. I was able to show them my passport which they checked against their system. The insinuation was I was his call girl and most likely an illegal immigrant.
Nothing in the attitudes of white people in the world surprises me. Black people often marvel at well behaved white people. There’s no need for that because being polite is just being normal and deserves no praise at all.
Racism is a very organised system from the top to the bottom. And it has been for generations. The only way to defeat racism is to walk tall with humility and pride. Always love yourself because love conquers all. And a smile is your wand to cast away evil spirits.
Even in my next life I want to come back Black! L?L to my peops.
I read every reply and your entire blog because I am legit so nervous to go to Spain. I am only going for a week, and I realize there is racism all over the world but fruit being pelted at people as they walk down the street takes this to new heights! I hate to be gawked at and my Spanish is in no position for a snarky remark, but if let being apprehensive stop from doing things, I’d never get out of bed. I guess I’ll just have to take your advice and not let fear stop me from visiting such an intriguing place, I hope I don’t come to regret that decision. And thank you thank you thank you a million for sharing your experience with us! I don’t know you but I feel you
Hi Somto:
I was planning to spend some minutes of my life in explaining you how mistaken is your thought about Spain. But I will not do it: you have your stereotypes and probably feel too comfortable with them and will never change your mind.
In Spain there is no racism. Period. Full stop. End of Story.
We welcome everybody, we even love our visitors and make real friends with them, even with those who, as you, hate us.
I am caucasian, and I have experience very odd situations while travelling to your country, but I should never, never, no matter the circunstances, write in a web page to insult you.
Kind regards
Hi Jose Antonio,
It is laughable and frankly absurd to claim that there is no racism in Spain. This article isn’t merely about my ‘thoughts’ on racism in Spain, but my EXPERIENCES. Unfortunately, I’m not the only black person who has had those negative experiences. If you can’t handle the truth, then maybe you should have skipped this post.
You’re dreaming, Jose Antonio.
Thank you for deletting my comment because my opinion does not match your opinion.
You dedicate a complete web page to criticize and disparage people from another country, yet the racist are the spaniards.
Best whishes.
Jose, I had every right to delete your comment, but I didn’t. I welcome other opinions and perspectives. Again, this post isn’t about insulting or disparaging anyone, but sharing my own experiences in Spain.
There is a user that goes by the same name, “José Antonio” on YouTube, leaving similar dismissive and hateful comments on every video that discusses racism in Spain. So don’t bother. Lot’s of love from Switzerland.
My friends and I all turn 40 this year and will be traveling to Spain with our husbands in June. I have heard stories of racism/ rudeness towards black people but we decided to go anyway. We are from DC and with all the gentrification going on, we are sadly used to the micro-aggressions anyway. Sucks though.
We are going to go to Madrid(Malasana neighborhood), Barcelona(Gothic Quarter) and then finish up our trip in Mallorca. It will be interesting traveling with 3 black men between 6′-6’5″ tall in Spain. We are praying for a fun, positive but uneventful trip. One of the husbands is fluent in Spanish so hopefully this will help us out a little. He also has family in Madrid.
I’m sorry that you had some not so great experiences BUT I love that you’re still so positive about Spain over all.
How was Mallorca? Any suggestions?
Bros! I don dey fear oohh. I was in Madrid for two weeks with my husband n kids, we had a good time, that made me started thinking of a relocating plan to Madrid. I pray my kids don’t expirence descrimination in school. Personally I can withstand such as long as they don’t go physical with me, but my kids are my priority.
I’m a British born Nigerian, currently teaching Spanish in an international school in Myanmar. The racism issue is everywhere as you rightly state. Im planning on spending a year in Spain for my children to pick up the language fully and I am really thankful to have found this blog. I’m very familiar with Madrid and Barcelona and did encounter what I now understand as racial discrimination. I will definitely look at spending my year in Andalucía although I have friends in Alicante. What are you thoughts on black people living in Alicante? Where would you most recommend in Andalucía for a young black family looking to enter the school system and all?
Hi There,
How awful that you had to go through such racism?
I am a Kenyan born living in UK and married to an English man. We have been thinking of moving to Valencia Spain in a couple of years, however, I am uphauled by the racism you had to experience in Valencia. So where in Spain’s sea side is good to house hunt, buy and make a move as a black woman? You mentioned to them, every African woman is a prostitute. I am a trained Counsellor and that means I can work till age 80s. I wonder if at all then I can have any clients coming through to therapy? I imagine they will think I am not good enough for there minds Lol.
The idea has always been so exciting until I read your post.
Hi there. Found this while google “why spain is so racist?”
Been here for 2 weeks on holiday and have had several racist experiences. Anything from racial slurs spoken loudly and intentionally by people walking beside or around me. Several dirty looks, people abruptly stopping in my walking path to cause some kind of stupid interference. I am spanish. Might not look like im from here but i can understand and speak spanish fluently enough to understand most of catalan. People here are way to uptight and very angry looking. Unhappy and very upset if your in there cafe or bar. They just sit on corner cafes staying and talking shit about people all day. Who the hell takes 3 hour lunch breaks? What kind of productivity happens here?
Tourism brings a lot of cash into the city. Why not milk it and be polite and happy and provide decent or good customer service. I was attacked and followed by a old woman security guard at the fc Barcelona store. She was breathing on my neck following me and telling me to go and pay and leave the store. I was astonished. Never been treated like that ever in my life shopping somewhere.
All i can say is Fck this place cause im never coming here again after this trip. France and italy people are wayyyy more polite and happy. Anyhow just had to vent cause it is truly crazy the attitudes of the people here. Ive met real nice people as well but almost everyone else ive encountered is pretty useless and quite annoying. Safe travels to all. And sorry barcelona there is wayyy better cities in Europe then here.
Wonderful blog and beautiful pictures !!!
I would like to share my own opinion and insight about the racism issue that you describe. I agree with many of your comments, but not all. I would say, for example:
1. It is true that Spaniards have comparatively little experience with people of African (or Afroamerican) descent, with black people in general. It was quite unusual (and it still is in many regions) to find black people. I am 40. When I was little, we only saw black people selling hand-made decorative items on the beach or selling on the streets. I am sorry to say that. It might sound strange to you. But that’s the truth. When we saw black people the reaction was always the same: curiosity!! I remember, when I was 4 or 5, I used to stare at black people, because I wasn’t used to it. My parents always told me I shouldn’t do that, but I remember I was very curious and surprised.
Every child in Spain has to write a letter to the Magi kings. Many children have a favourite one. Mine was Balthazar. Back in those days every Balthazar was a black-faced white Spaniard. I cannot imagine it could have been otherwise in my town. I don’t think we had a single black person living there in those days.
Have you ever wondered why Balthazar is always mentioned as the last of the three kings? Also in paintings he is usually walking behind the other two. That is not a Spanish phenomenon. It is general Western tradition. Foolish and unfair though it might be. Old fashioned. Painful…
There has been a movement in Spain for many years to engage black citizens to act as the Black Magi at Christmas. The problem was, and still is, there are not many black people living in lots of regions of Spain. In many towns, if there are black people, they are usually illegal immigrants. Most people would find it very offensive to ask a ‘black person’ (who often are immigrants) to play the role of the Black Magi. Many Spanish people find that doing that would be more racist than black-facing.
Black-facing is taboo in the US for instance. Do you really think that US-citizens are less racist than Spanish people because they refrain from black-facing? I don’t think so at all. On the contrary!!! They have only learnt to mask their racism. I believe it is always a move forward to stop doing things that might hurt the feelings of other social groups, but the underlying problem is how people really FEEL about them.
Black-facing should really be stoped if it is hurtful but acting only ‘on the surface’ will never really tackle the problem of racism. I think US people and people in other countries are far more racist than Spanish people, if only they have learnt not to show it….
Spanish people are perhaps naive (and sometimes downright rude!!!), but in true I think they are less racist than, say, people from the UK or US.
When I was 9 two black girls came to our school. They had been adopted by Spanish parents. There was not a single issue that I am aware of about their color. All kids love them from the beginning. But…. we always asked them things that kids in some parts of the US would probably never ask to other kids because they have learnt ‘you should not asked that’. Today they are both married to Spanish men. They live and think like white Spanish women.
My aunt adopted a black baby 26 years ago. He thinks like any other 28 year-old Spanish guy. He said he would find it disgusting to be asked to play the role of Balthazar because of being black. He studied in the US. When he came back he argued that US-people are indeed far more racist than Spanish people, if only they more aware of what is ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect’. He said they are obsessed with color…!!! Everything is around color and ethnicity there.
I agree with you that black-facing is wrong. But think about it. People do not become less racist just because they stop doing things like that. True racism is felt inside… And I am convince that deep inside Spanish people are less racist than people from many other Western countries.
2. We really do study a lot about the period of Muslim domination of Spain. We learn a lot about the wonderful art, architecture, discovering and how they were much more advance in almost every way as compared to the Christian European population. Spanish people are actually very proud about that heritage.
Spain is, however, a country of European Christian tradition and our traditional culture and history has of course been more focused on that.
When people say that we haven’t had so much contact with African people, what they mean is that, unlike countries like the US, the presence of black citizens in Spain is a relatively new phenomenon.
I hope your bad experiences with rude people will not prevent you from seeing that, behind the impolite and indiscreet reactions of some Spanish people, there is most of the time a big heart and a loving person who is mostly quite unconcerned about race and color.
A well written, balanced account of your time in Spain. I’ve visited Barcelona and Valencia and had a great time. But prejudice is palpable, as with most European destination quite honestly. I’m a mixed race woman from London (Guyanese and English/Irish heritage), and I will never stop travelling. Some of the worst I’ve experienced is perhaps in the remote towns of Australia, but nothing will stop me exploring. Thank you for being such a great example, and sharing your passion. I wish you all the best. P. S. Any recommendations for Andalusia? I haven’t visited, but am dying to go (once Lockdown is over) besos x
Absolutely agree!! I’m born in Spain and I’m always saying how racist they are and don’t even realise, my girlfriend is black, and born in Spain as well, and is like people can’t even believe it, they are like but seriously where are you from and we have to keep saying it again and again it just pisses me off. It’s true tho that I didn’t realise this kind of stuff before but now she made me see how disgusting is most of the people… I literally only see black people selling clothes in the beach or in big factories working more than 12 hours!!! Thank you so much for sharing, I’m moving to UK anyway soon with her cause we are tired of this. Spain is beautiful but spoiled with its people.
I love this post!
Very detailed and very honest.
The first time I went to Spain, it was a school trip to Barcelona. I was like 14, travelling in a big group with teenagers of all different races from South London. Unfortunately, the trip commenced at the time of the World cup and we know, racism and football go hand in hand. We was being shouted at by Spanish and other people on the beach, in the hotel… It was crazy! I was always put off from going back to Spain because of that one experience. But I started travelling more once I got older and realised racism lives in every country, even my mother home Jamaica. Spain was becoming a bigger deal than usual in England, so in 2018 I decided to leave my job and go to Spain for 3 months to Sevilla. A hell of a risky move, but one of my dark skinned friends said he loved it there and the history really gripped me… I felt like if he liked it I’d feel safe! I was nervous when it came to the time, I really didn’t want to have to get South London and beat someone up if they were chanting or doing a madness. Thank God, it never came to that! My mum even got lost one day and I was so worried because she couldn’t speak Spanish and she was dark skinned… But she said the people were so helpful and friendly and walked with her until she knew where she was! I had people cough at me and look at me strangely sometimes, but most times I was getting hello’s, hugs and wine! One of my friends did experience a racist encounter at the time, but she still loved the country! The Spaniards I had met were lovely and really wanted to know about where I came from. And being from a Jamaican and Cuban background I referred to being Carribbean rather than British. My head was wrapped up a lot, braids and afro’s flowing and people would call out “Reina”. I did notice how a few Africans were treated but I met a couple of native Africans that had their own shops! I had a Spanish boyfriend who was afraid to introduce me to his mum because of her old-fashion view on things and I knew, I probably wouldn’t go down well. Other than that it was a dream and I’m saving up to go back out there (:
I’m a brown skinned Nigerian.I have never been to Spain before and was planning on visiting, cause of the beautiful things I see on the internet and their wonderful TV series like La Casa De Papel(Money Heist),Vis A Vis(Locked Up) and Elite…..I became interested in knowing more about Spain and Spaniards
But unfortunately, I’ve lost interest in everything,cause what’s the actual point of being a fan of a country or being a fan of celebrities in that country that don’t even want to know you exist??
It’s really sad and heart breaking that racism exist in almost everywhere in the world????……..For God sake,we’re all humans,the only difference is the skin colour……We all sleep,eat,poop,pee,walk,run,have one head,two eyes,five fingers per hand,etc….I just hope this will someday end
I keep thinking if this is how their celebrities behave too?
Hi Antonia,
It’s unfortunate that racism continues to be a thing around the world, but we can’t let it deter us from visiting places we like. Otherwise, we might as well not travel at all. This post is purely based on my own experiences in Spain. You might not experience any racial problems. Just focus on what you want to get out of your experience in Spain.
Spain is a great country and i am sorry but a lot of the time it is not due to the fact you are black, it is the American part. elderly spanish people look and stare but not just because you are black they do it to me and i am a young, white Spanish/British person. History is a reason to blame for racism in Spain but they are not exactly racist they are more interested in their typical spanish way as black, muslim and other racial groups are not that common and yes you will get one bad experience but other places are so much worse than spain.
I’m late to the comment party, I know! I just wanted to say, I’ve seen all of this, and totally agree. But to add something: I’m Zimbabwean and have been living in Barcelona for a few years now, and because the city is a lot younger than, say, Sevilla, there isn’t much racism. The thing that bothers me most is micro aggressions, like having to argue with Spanish people that it’s NOT OKAY to call a corner shop “the paki” or a “chino”. Even there things are changing fast though. So don’t be afraid to come if you are a person of colour.
Hi Emily, I’m glad you can relate. I also found it odd that they call those Chinese-owned stores ‘Chinos.’ I think Spaniards just have a different understanding of cultural sensitivity. Still, I won’t let these issues deter me from visiting. I think Spain has so much to offer, and I’ve cherished most of my experiences there.
Hello
Thanks for your articule I have really enjoyed reading your expiriance about Spain. Is true that Spain is a very racist country where the people are not aware about their problem. That why they feel free to act as a racist with no remorse. To understand Spain, you have to read the spanish history and the myth realated to
the Spanish identity. The bigotry is the default setting between spanish people, because it part of they national pride.For instance in Spain there are surnames called moors-killer (matamoros) or villages called Jewish-killer (matajudios). The reconquista show them that Spain was built against the Islam and the Africans. If you have visted Valencia, there is a festival called moros y cristianos, where the Spanish comemorate the victory against the Islam. The spanish who dress up like moors, they portry themselve as black people using blackface makeup during the performance. Althought the moors were not black, they are represent as black people to humilllate the moorish identity. For spanish people, been black means been an undesirable person subject of mokery and caricature. Nevertheless the spanish ignore all this background of hate and bigotry and they belive they are all very open minded, cherfull and the racism is not a problem in Spain.
I have posted your articule in a very popular Spanish forum. You can visit the forum and get some feedback about they reponse.
https://www.burbuja.info/inmobiliaria/threads/espana-uno-de-los-paises-mas-racistas-del-mundo-para-el-turista-afrodescendiente.1366319/#
My advise to an Afroamerican, is to not visit Spain unless you want to be meastrated by narow minded bumpkins. Your money will be beter spent somewhere else.
Talking about racism toward blacks in Spain is a big joke. Even the picture of black sellers in the underground station that you show proves it. In the States, are illegal aliens allowed to sell fake handbags, watches etc.. in the street without paying any tax, of course… ? I don’t think so. If those blacks could get to USA, i doubt they would stay in Spain. To get a well paying job in Spain is difficult for blacks and for spaniards as well. We don’t have well paying jobs for blacks and neither for spaniards. Check the unemployment numbers in Spain. Black tourists in Spain won’t have any trouble and will be better treated than in other european countries. Try it and you will see. Of course, you can complain to try to get an extra but i don’t see it a fair tactic to employ. Thanks &take care. I was twice in the States and is a country i liked, even if they are tiring in ainmigration to get there.
Hey,
I came across your blog after experiencing racism in Turkey but not so much in Spain. I am British/Nigerian and went there to work and travel. However, I was based in the North of Spain. During my time I went to Barcelona and Madrid. Overall, I did feel that the basque people were friendlier and less snobby towards me. I loved San Sabastian and also visited Pamplona. San Sebastian is a beautiful city. I lived in and worked in a small town Beire for 6 months. And had no problems.
Ironically I had more racism in Turkey. After reading that hundreds of brits visit and stay in Turkey. I thought it would be a lovely country to visit. So, it was safe to say the shock I felt at the airport when two women called me a monkey, and just recently whilst exploring the city I saw some women looking in my direction, laughing at me. I was with my husband who is white so, whether it was more about being in an interracial couple. I am not sure but I did find this highly offensive irrespective of the reasons. I lived in Vietnam for 2 years and in Thailand for 6 months and have come across similar behaviors.
I must admit this has made me warier when travelling to new places. Travelling should be about being able to feel comfortable in your own skin, meeting interesting people, having some time out, and having fun. Not feeling paranoid about what someone might do next because of the colour of your skin. But hope is not lost I will continue to travel but like some of you suggested. Rather than ignore the situation address it heads on.
Well, A few things you have to know.
1 Supposed Afrikan roots. The answer is nothing. The catholic kings Spain expelled muslims or ones from Afrika. The Inquisition made it clear, only christians were allowed. In XVII. The last ones, were expelled by the order of the king. You have to understand that Spain has been very christian and conservative until Franco Era.
2 there was even an Spanish film series showing the case of one Afrikan black in Spain that was seen like incredible miracle but was arrested in order to bring back to Afrika or sell as slave to Amerika.
3 the only blacks we have seen were in colonies. There is a famous film Palmeras en la nieve in we can see the slavery. There were good and bad spaniards. Even when Spanish Afrikan colonies got independence in order to avoid violent racism between settlers and natives,
Franco sent the navy to bring white settlers back to Spain.
Result, This is our connection with Afrika avoid and separate all connection until Franco died in his bed.
Since 90s many Afrikans have arrive to work here. There are Spaniards that love and miss those conservative days and others that has open mind to share culture with other races.
So there is racism in Spain? The answer is yes but is not so strong.
It is not the truth. It is your opinion.
This post is based on my own experiences in Spain, and I emphasize that. There are no absolutes.
Keep in mind you come from a very different background and set of experiences. The racial sensitivity in the form you describe it is something you gathered in the USA and actually cannot be applied everywhere.
Voy a escribir en castellano porque lo entiende usted perfectamente y estoy más cómodo usando mi idioma natal.
Lamento mucho que considere España como un país racista. No voy a negar que una parte de la sociedad lo es, pero algunos de los ejemplos que ha puesto como “racismo” tienen más que ver con no comprender el acervo cultural que con el racismo.
Lo de los profesores, probablemente, sea porque su acento sea “poco británico” más que por el color de su piel. En España, los profesores de inglés, desprecian todo aquello que no sea un inglés exageradamente británico. De hecho, para mi que hablo un inglés estadounidense a nivel casi bilingüe, me costó dios y ayuda el aprobar en la Escuela de Idiomas el oral porque mi inglés sonaba “muy poco inglés y más como el americano”. No digo que fuera lo que sucedía en su caso, pero si me parece probable.
Lo de Baltasar es una tradición de hace más de 500 años. Y no olvide que de cada 10 niños, 6 eligen a Baltasar como su rey mago favorito.
Los cuchicheos, por desgracia, son habituales. Y también los estereotipos. ¿O acaso no hay más críticas de un madrileño a un Vasco, de un Vasco a un andaluz o de un catalán a un gallego a diario que hacia las personas negras?
En España, por desgracia, nos encanta el cuchicheo y el meternos con lo diferente, pero porque lo hacemos igualmente con lo propio. A los franceses, portugueses, alemanes, ingleses, estadounidenses, chinos, japoneses… pero al vecino del cuarto, al marido de la frutera o al jefe.
Además, el sentido del humor español es muy ácido. Esto está muy bien representado con las fallas: nos metemos con todo y con todos porque con los primeros que nos metemos es con nosotros mismos.
Y sobre el programa que critica, le corrijo un error de planteamiento: es un programa de imitación de cantantes. No se hace con ánimo de ofender a nadie, es el espíritu del carnaval español, ponerse en el papel de quien se imita. En “Tu cara me suena” se imita a Stevie Wonder o a Tom Jones… o a Son Goku (el protagonista del anime Dragón Ball).
Y sí, hay muchas personas racistas, pero también muchas personas que interpretan como racistas acciones que no lo son.
Lamento su experiencia y ojalá vaya mejorando cada vez que nos visite.
Thank you for writing such an excellent, well-balanced and interesting article. Having moved to outside of Madrid 8 months ago, I’ve been trying to become more familiar with the culture and history of Spain (not to mention learn the language). A friend once told me of the racism he experienced while living in Spain and that he would never live here. I can understand, have empathy, and be quick to support racial equality. but as a white person I’ll never really know the injustice and pain that is racism. The Spanish culture (and world in general) can’t change fast enough to eradicate racism!
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your sincere comment! I appreciate your empathy! Hoping you enjoy your time in Spain.
My personal views obviuosly, I’m not impressed with Spain at all, I didn’t understand the fuss before I came and since i’ve been here I still don’t get. Thought i would live here to see what the fuss was about despite holidaying here a couple of times-and that was just to party it up. I don’t like the food at all there’s a lack of variety. I almost always eat at home. I’ve been based in Madrid, quite a dull city, a bit underdeveloped in services, lack of internationalism, no interesting subcultures, trends or refinement. Been to a couple of other cities, nice for a day and then what else is there. Not much else in my opinion,Spanish people are nice never had any issues with them, never had any racial issues in particular-guess I’m lucky! Men are okay if you like dark, dark and short. Not my personal taste, but people seem to have a fetish about it. Again my own personal view and not an attack. Enjoy.
Hi Jojo,
I can see where you’re coming from. Spain isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I had some friends in Spain who didn’t get the fuss either. I don’t care for Spanish food either but I do like the architecture, culture, beaches, festivals, and way of life. And the men are pretty attractive in my opinion.
Hi, i’m spaniard. So sorry to read all those negative comments towards us.
At some extent it’s true that some people are racist here, but i don’t think we’re more than brits, germans, nordics or slavs really.
The fact is that racism is everywhere, but unlike to other countries that have a generalized politically-correct behaviour mindset, many racist spaniards won’t unfortunately hide what they feel.
Rather than racist many spaniards are xenophobic, because black, asian and “dark” people around us whose families are from other countries, but they were raised here, are generally treated the same as the others since they speak a perfect spanish with our accent and have our culture, thus they are seen as spaniards (one of us despite of being other race). I myself in my childhood had two friends whose father is from Mexico and nobody sees them as foreigners here, although one of them is a little bit “dark”.
Our border is often trespassed at the south by illegal african immigrants and many manage to escape the police and stay in the country. Some don’t even want to work and they’ll try to live from social services which harms our economy. Some become even thieves or rapists. Regarding to the people from South America some of them get into latin gangs like Latin Kings (yes, there is such thing as latin gangs in Spain) and do criminal things. Even russian mob operates in Spain. This is why many people here don’t like foreigners.
At the end of the day i’d say that if you come here and you are polite, don’t have a criminal or disrespectful behaviour, etc. you’ll be treated good by most of the people regardless of the looks you have.
By the way, it’s funny how some people around there say that stuff about us on slavery and slaughters around the american continent, given that brits were way worse than us on that. Just take a look at how many native americans remain in the USA and Canada, and then do the same for the rest of the land…
Yeah, in fact while british people almost killed all of them due to their racist views, we spaniards rather mixed up with them or respected their race going on, and that’s why there are still so many indians and half-breed people in Mexico and South America.
The anglosaxon propaganda has told the world that they were the “savers” and the erasers of slavery, and that we spaniards were the “bad guys” through the “spanish black legend” and their brainwashing Hollywood movies and documentaries, when we were the ones to give human rights to the indians in the colonized territories, and when the USA suffered a tough racism towards non-white people up to the 70’s of the XXth century (separate but equal doctrine)…
To finish this message, i’m sorry about all of those who suffered racism and xenophobia in Spain. Peace.
I love this post, I have lived near Marbella( Andulacia ) for the last 3 and a half years and as a British black woman I have definitely felt the difference. For the most part because of the huge ex pat community my experiences in general are a lot more subtle but certainly apparent. I have been called a prostitute by Spanish men and children alike and that’s the ones that dare to say. I am stared at daily and can agree that English speaking black peoples from the UK for example are treated much better than the African communities so can only imagine what it is like for them. I agree that it is such an amazing country to visit not just for the beaches there is so much more , and black people shouldn’t be denied the experience . It’s unfortunate that you have to develop a thick skin just to go on holiday but if you keep yo tourist areas and you can’t speak Spanish you may not notice it at all. Sad but true .
So you’re dismissive of African-American racial concerns but when you come to Spain all of a sudden you understand racism.
Also, why teach in Spain ?
Not just you, but a common trait to teach ( English of all things) in European or East-Asian countries to non-black students.
Why not teach within an African country or South American. Or at the very least to a school in Spain that has a large African immigrant base.
Also, the British are revered and hated in Europe so teaching a language not needed in Spain etc is a novelty.
Hi Johnson, I wouldn’t say I was dismissive of African American racial concerns. It’s more like I didn’t have much of an understanding of it due to my background. With regards to teaching English in Spain, I chose the country after having a great experience while studying abroad there. There is also a great demand for English teachers, which is why the government recruits American and Canadian college grads. English is very much needed in Spain. I didn’t have any say in the school I was assigned so I couldn’t specifically go to a school with a large African immigrant population. Still, I doubt that would have made a difference as the staff would still be primarily Spanish.
Why are black people still venturing to go to Spain? Spaniards are the worst when it comes to racism. They have not changed since my dad was stationed at Torrejon Air Base near Madrid Spain back in the mid 1970s. I see that the men still regard black women as prostitutes. Black people should not waste their time or money in Spain period.
Hi Lewis, it’s unpleasant to hear about your dad’s experience in Spain. I appreciate your opinion.
Hello Somto! You are one stunning black lady! Continue to spread your beautiful smile every where you go! I stumbled over your blog because I just wanted to see black people that was from Spain. That’s how I came across your site. Now, racism is very thick here in America. Although I do want out of America because it’s getting way worse here with a lot of things. America is the Great Babylon! I never thought some Spaniards would hate black people. What have we ever done to them?
The prince of the power of the air is very much active seeking whom he may devour. I speak of Lucifer; Satan the devil, who’s mission is to kill, steal, deceive and destroy. That fallen angels wreaks havoc and he will never rest because he hates mankind! He’s not a racist angel, but he causes hatred within people who allows him to enter! YAHUWAH (GOD) is of love and we shall walk in the ways of GOD the ALMIGHTY!
I’ve never traveled outside of America, but when things get better for me in my life (also with the pandemic eliminated). I will be traveling. Every thing is on GOD’s timing. We surely cannot do anything apart from GOD. So I wait patiently on the LORD! You did right by ignore foolish people; for when people have unforgiven hearts. GOD will not forgive them for their sins! Continue be a light wherever you go hun! GOD bless you and everyone else that you truly love! ??✝️??
I am Spanish and I am very sorry about the racism you have experienced. Please know that many Spaniards love their ties to Africa and are not racist. It makes me very angry for what happened to you. I am sorry. Please come and enjoy our country. It Is yours as well.
Hi Juana, thanks for being humble. There would be no such experiences if everyone thinks like you.
As a moroccan who studied spanish language, worked with spaniards here in Morocco, my land, and engaged in discussions of hundreds of hours in forums with spanish people, I suggest you do not visit Spain. They’re super racist, ignorant people, hostile, narrow minded, complicated, arrogant, retrograde… I can go on and write a dictionary of adjectives to describe them. I repeat do not go there. There’s Canada, Costa Rica, Malasia, Indonesia … these are beautiful countries, especially Indonesia and its people.
Hello Mohamed, Thanks for sharing our opinions.
We blacks complain way too much about racism.That makes us look very weak and needy.So what if spanish people are racist towards blacks?Who cares?Who are spanishs anyway?We have to stop with this sickening mentality of complaining all the time about other races racism.That just bolster them in their bad ways towards us.Racism is here to stay,lets us just get on with it.If somebody is racist towards you,just be racist towards him/her.Stop sponsoring these countries and go where you are appreciated .Spanish people didnt invite you there,you went there on your own.Just deal with it on your own.Dont drag the whole black race into your predicaments.Blacks complain about white and asian racisms,yet they are the biggest sponsors of that racism.
i believe your comments on blackface are unfair.
Americans are the ones who chose to make the mockery of black people the most popular form of entertainment because apparently more than a hundred years of slavery wasnt enough suffering for them. Spain has its own problems but blackface isnt one, its completely meaningless, most people here aren’t even aware that blackface can be seen as ofensive.You only show two examples of blackface and i bet you even struggled to find more than one.
However i do agree that racism and homophobia in spain is a real problem and I’m sorry some people gave you a bad time, i happen to live near valencia so that really annoys me. Luckily you never travelled to the most racist regions of spain, i lived in burgos for three years, i know about a gay guy who had to move to barcelona due to the continuous abuse he had to endure.
Hello!
It thought that this post was very interesting. I’m sorry that you had to deal with that and thank you for sharing your story!
I am doing a project on racism and stereotypes for my Spanish students in secondary school. Do you mind if I use your story as a reference? I can paraphrase and leave your name out, if you would like, and give full credit in the sources. If not, I completely understand.
Thank you!
The writer is a simple words just explain the true life of black Race in Spain be it from Latin America or Africa,USA,CANADA or UK. Blacks are going through tough times in Spain both economically,mentally and emotionally.They are not offer any better employment opportunity nor educational opportunity even the Black immigrant children born in Spain are segregated.
If you have visited Spain and you are conscious of your surroundings,you will discover that most Shop cashier,cleaners or stock replenishers are only whites.
My observation in Spain for the past 12 years is that The Spaniard welcome immigrant but specifically White race.If you anything near Black,Tan or dark or India,you cant find a place in Spain.Most black immigrant in Spain live isloated,lonely and confused life.They work in hard conditions on farm land with little or no respect for their services unlike in the UK or some other countries.People talk about racism in the US,i say racism in US can never be compare to Spain.How many talent have you seen coming out of Spain that is African or immigrant,only few.
If you will visit or plann moving to Spain as black tourist,consider your options before doing it to avoid regret of your life.
Hi Eyez, Thanks for adding your opinions. Yes, it’s worst to see racism in Spain during recent years. We should hope the mindset shifts towards better practices.
I just discovered your website and I really appreciated your article. I’m korean American living in Madrid and can relate to many of the points you made—thank you for putting this out there and articulating the complex experience of people of color visiting/living in Spain. Do you know of any groups for people of color that you can recommend? Also I read in your profile that you appreciate korean food and the year of the impossible goodbyes (I never met someone who read it! Great book), and that made me smile : ).
Hello Somoto,
Amazing Blog! Even though you experienced incidents of racism, your heart is so full of LOVE you were able to appreciate and experience Spain without hate. This blog showcases your beautiful soul ?
I can’t wait to read more of your writing, hopefully I will find you on social media . Xoxoxo
Hello Lily,
Thanks for your kind words. I look forward to providing you more useful content.
What an amazing post. I am so sorry that you were treated that way, especially shocking about your colleagues. You even had the grace to respond maturely when they didn’t deserve it.
There is a whole lot to unpack here obviously about racism, colonialism and lack of education but you touched on these issues more effectively than I could. So I guess I just wanna say thank you for writing this article and for having the courage to put your experience out there. Not only was it extremely interesting and well written but also educational. As a fellow Spain-obsessed person I had no idea this dark underside lurked and it is important to know about so we can all do better.
Hi Grace,
Thanks for showing kind words! Yes, if everyone keeps improving their mindset, the world would be more peaceful to live than before.
While studying Spanish at FIU back in 2016, I told myself that I wanted to visit 2 countries; Peru and Spain. I recently heard about Spain’s blatant racist attitudes and now, after reading your very detailed piece on the country, I will have to seriously figure if I want to visit or not. The area that I particularly want to visit is A Coruña.
Thank you!
Hi Gene, I’m glad that you found the article helpful for your tour to Spain.
I recommend Colombia. I loved Colombia and it is very similar to Spain in the ways of the people and the whole vibe – especially around Medellin and the cities outside of there.
Colombians are very polite people and they pride themselves on their politeness, Spaniards generally have a differing code of communication and tact, even when they’re being nice it can come across as brusque – there are lots of nice Spanish people but they’re direct and you might take them the wrong way, it takes a bit of getting used to whereas Colombians are just lovely and very easy to get along with.
Dear Soronto,
I do understand what you experienced in Spain, not feeling welcomed or being mocked every now and then by your peers, because you felt different or because of the color of your skin. If you are a world traveler like me, that’s a normal feeling. However that’s your perspective and it cannot be named as “subtle racism” because racism is racism no matter what. However how can you know for sure the people who you interacted with were racists? Or that they were practicing subtle racism? Discrimination is a different thing and in Spain has different aspects. People from Latin-America who have felt discriminated may not necessarily be because of the color of their skin, but for other reasons. As in the USA, some immigrants in Spain create social problems and some people just look at them as the cause of all their problems. They are just the scapegoats. It happens everywhere, and the country you are coming from it is a clear example.
I should clarify that a Moor being from Northern Africa does not necessarily mean a colored (black) African. You mix the word Africans to describe your experience but also to make a point about the ignorance of Spain about the Moorish influence in Spanish history, which I think everyone knows in the Spanish speaking world but Americans. Many of Spanish and Latino surnames descend from Arab roots. What most living and eternal proof can you have if you will inherit them to your future generations?. So ignorance can also go both ways and in order to make a strong statement you should also research the bigger picture. What you said about Moors ruled Spain for nearly 800 years seemed more like the typical statement of Moroccan people living in Spain. First, they did not ruled Spain, but what is today Southern Spain, and second the landmarks that they built in Spain are as famous as others found across the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. So no one forgets or wants to forget that part of the history, and being in Spain, if you didn’t learn it, only takes a visit to a museum to be reminded. Don’t you think?
Do you know that the Moorish you are talking about still practice slavery in Morocco and Mauritania as we speak? And the slavery they practice it is actually based on the color of the skin? Moorish of fair complexity enslave darker skin Moors because of the cast system they have in place. So I would not use them as an example really.
In recent years, many people from African countries, like Senegal and Mauritania, have reached the coasts of Spain and illegally entered the country. As it has happened with Mexicans in the USA, they are not discriminated because of their race necessarily but because of fear mongering rhetoric fueled by politicians. So for some people in Spain, if they see a person of Black-African descent on the streets, some of them may immediately think that person is trying “to steal the job” of a fellow Spaniard.
Spain didn’t have the same immigration experience as in the USA. So our points of view in regard to that matter are also very different. So, how come do you think the culture of Spanish people should be as politically correct as in the USA?
There is a reason: In Spain there was not a KKK clan. In Spain there was not a civil war fought over slavery, and I can name different things for which you should not attempt to make a comparison because it is unfair.
Conversely, many of the richest men in colonial Spain were blacks and mulatos. Some became famous, there is even a mulato Catholic saint called Martin de Porres. And I am talking centuries ago. In Spain, they have not lynched black Africans, at least none since the 19th centuries, nor killed any black human being because of the color of his/her skin, something that in the USA seems natural in certain places, a thing that disturbs me because it is still going on in the 21st century!
Actually, Spanish people are just who they are, there have not any problem in making jokes about Chinese (chinos), Africans, Latinos or the Spanish themselves. They are not going to sue you because you call them something you think is un-politically correct. Friends who have blue or green eyes, are called “cats” (gatos), other with resemblance to Asians are called “Chinos” and the ones who have more melanin simply “negro” o “negritos” . The guy with extra pounds is “el gordo” (The fat). And I can keep going. Just forget about your Anglo-American politically correctness when you are in Spain because doesn’t exist.
Spain has a different culture, many Spanish people are not white in the “Anglo-Saxon fashion”, some of the Spanish population has Judeo-Arab heritage, or they are also colored and feel fine and fit right in that culture without any problems. Of course, like in the USA, there are people with closed minded mentalities due to ignorance rather than racism. In one hand, there are groups of people inside Spain who discriminate other Spanish fellows. The north mocks the south, the Catalans hate the Castilian, Basques don’t like to be called Spaniards, even to the point that they mock each other fiercely with out of tone jokes and heavy weight nicknames. But that’s it.
I actually think you should have more sympathy with traditions and culture in Spain and get along with people wherever you go there. Many school children in Spain and Latin-American countries paint their face black in certain parades in order to celebrate some African traditions, songs, heritage or cultural themes, and I think it is good. It is completely different than in the USA or Canada where politicians had to come forward and apologize for doing it, and rightfully so, because if they did it was to diminish the other race or highlight his supremacy.
So, it is not the same. Please so the tunnel vision goes both ways. I know if I am in the USA, I cannot do or say the same things I would do and say in Spain. I have to adapt. You should do the same because it is a completely different world. Just try to think you are not in the USA. It will help a lot and you will enjoy life and will be able to mentally blend better next time. LOL
Hello, From San Diego California. I appreciate you sharing your experience. Its awful that those things took place. Me & My Husband are thinking of relocating to the Basque Country, Bilbao to be exact. We have researched the area & it seems beautiful & rich with culture. May i ask why you chose to return to Madrid instead of going back to Bilbao? And also did you encounter any prosperous Black people living in Bilbao? Thanks in advance ❤️
I am no sure how i got into you page but I am a white spaniard ( tho I have lived abroad in more multicultural countries for a looong time ) and while I cant replicate the experience of a black person what Somto tells , the good and the less than good, is strongly consistent with what I would expect in terms of culture, behaviours etc,
You are fair and aquare and I feel your advise is spot on, your love of spain Somto is , I feel , very real and I find that very heart warming thanks for that , if you are not spain based right now and have plans to move back I hope you find a great job in Spain and are back with us for good very soon !
To the prospective black travellers that are your reading your blog, it embarrasses ( and angers ) me to have read the less than positive stories , but please give us the the benefit of the doubt , as Somto said the idiots are the few, the nicer the plenty. I understand on your holidays you wont even want the risk of something happening , that is of course very fair enough, but from what I read as a tourist the chance of an unplesant encounter are not that big compare to living there and no other place would be 100% idiot free unfortunately.
Long story short , whether you want to come to Spain or not , all the best to you and your families and if you do would like to extend my personal welcome to beautiful Spain 🙂
All the best !
Hi Somto,
Thank you so much for your insightful and thoughtful perspective on racism in Spain. I am a white, gay, American male who moved to Valencia last year with my husband and find all the positive things you mention about life in Spain are so true. …
My brother is planning to move to Valencia (from the USA)with his adopted Black daughter who is 14. Anna will be attending the American School of Valencia. She is pretty savvy and is somewhat aware of the horrible extent of racism in America. Living in Washington DC ( a predominantly African American city) and the child of white parents she has been shielded from some of the institutionalized racism so prevalent (and dangerous) in other parts of the USA. I have found some additional reassurance in your article that this will be a good move for Anna. Would you agree or please provide your insights that a Black woman can feel safer in Spain with its (for lack of a better term) “cultural racism” as apposed to the USA with its institutional racism?
This blog post is spot on and very fair in my opinion in its balance.
Spain is a great country and there are lots of great, helpful, nice friendly Spaniards but the assholish, rude, racist Spaniards are so extreme in their lack of manners and humanity that they stay in your mind forever.
If you want Spain but with well mannered and friendly people – go to the Paisa region of Colombia. You’ll get all the good bits of Spain (especially western Spain…) without the microaggressions, rudeness and ignorance – you might get some racism but racism is everywhere unfortunately.
I found this page after Googling “blacks in Spain.” I’m a 46-year-old, American-born, black Latina whose parents are from Panama and Costa Rica.
My wife and I have lived in several countries, including England and Brazil. We’re planning to move to Spain in 18 months. This post (and subsequent comments) have been very illuminating. Truthfully, I’m not surprised by any of it. Living in Brazil provided many racist situations. But overall we absolutely loved being there.
My hope is that the good Spanish experiences will outweigh any overt or covert racism we may experience. My fingers are tightly crossed!!! I’ll definitely post here again once we move!
Hi Somto,
First of all I want to say that I don’t completely disagree with your point of view, and many of the things you say, but I think you lack a lot of understanding, maybe you don’t know enough about spanish history, maybe you were not interested in understanding the reasons behind some of this behaviours, maybe I’m wrong… My intention is to throw some light in the matter, if I may.
I don’t think racisms is as much of a problem in Spain, but xenophobia is… There are several reasons in history that led to this, but the most recent is the fact that we lived a distatorship in Spain during the bigger part of the 20th century, which also made the country some sort of an autocracy, which meant people from Spain would rarely travel outside, and we rarely got people moving in, other than tourist that would like to sploit the sun and the cheap facilities… while spanish people were struggling in many ways. That created or revived a fear for what’s different, a lot of propaganda settled the idea, and created this xenphobia I’m talking about.
Racism is kind of a modern development, again there’s many uneducated people in Spain, and a lot of unemployment, and most Africans that move to Spain do so “ilegally” and therefore have no right to work. That’s the main reason for the behaviour, a lot of people think they come to steal their jobs, or to get benefits… it’s silly, and unfair, but mots of the time has nothing to do with the colour of their skin, you would find the same kind of thing against eastern europeans, for the same reason… and that reason is not the colour.
I’m not trying to defend this behaviour, nor excuse it. I just want you to understand that colour is not a big factor. You point out the fact that Spain also practiced slavery, but that’s not very true, religion prevented that for most of the colonial history of Spain, there’s barely any black communities in most of the ex colonies, ie Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador… you mention Dominican republic, that was the british or the USA, costa rica, cuba, all of the ones that got “freed” from the spanish empire by either the brits or the USA, mainly USA.
I comdemn this xenophobia, and that’s why I agree with a lot of the things you say, but there’s a lot of wrong facts in your post, and a lot of misleading information. While any foreigner should be aware that they would face difficulties in Spain for them being foreigners, the colour only plays a small part, and only started a few decades ago, mainly due to globalization.
Again the main reason for this xenophobia is the silly fear foreigners comming to Spain to steal the little wealth most spanish people have, and add to their struggles, and that’s probably the reason that Black Americans get treated better than Black Nigerians, wealth… not colour.
I want to believe that Spanish people are getting over this xenophobia, we’re only 1 generation away from the dictatorship, and only now we’re starting to educate our kids away from propaganda and spanish younger generations are starting to be more open to travel, which leads to a better education on equality and multiculturalism. And hopefully this xenophobic behaviours will get smaller and smaller within 1 or 2 more generations, a lot of education is needed, and our politicians don’t help much on this matter, but we will overcome this, because behind that fear to what’s different, spanish people have a great sense of humanity and community and that will become more visible as education and travelling starts overcomming the fear.
I hope to have been able to help a bit, and I apologise if I’m wrong or if I offended anyone, not my intention. And of course I apologise for any racist or xenophobic behaviour that you or any other immigrant had to suffer from my fellow Spaniards and I hope you come back and see some progress.
Big hugs from a Spanish expat !!
Nicely put! But you had something wrong about the history or heritage in Spain (which varies from region to region). In Roman times Hispania was populated by Iberians in the South and East (Iberians were pre-Indoeuropean), with a couple of Carthage colonies on the shore, Celtic tribes in the north shore in what is now Galicia and Asturias and the whole center (Meseta central) was a mix of those two peoples called Celtíberos. The Greek had a colony in the East too, in what is now Catalonia. When the Romans came and conquered they couldn’t submit the tribes in the North, the last two regions to be invades by Rome were Asturias and Cantabria and the Roman presence there only lasted 30 years before the Alans, Swabians, and Vandals arrived only to be displaced by the Visigoths, who had permission from Rome to enter Spain and establish their kingdom based in Toledo. When the Moors got to Spain they couldn’t get in the North (again) and king Pelayo (A Visigoth nobleman) led the Astur people to stop the Moors in the battle of Covadonga. Now, those Moors stayed in Al-Andalus for 800 years but they made most Christians to flee to the North and did not mix for religious reasons. The Moors were not Arab, they were recruited in Morocco and were Berber people led by Arabs. Recent genetic studies show that most of the mixing happened in South East Spain with only 10% of North African (Berber) ancestry, almost no Middle Eastern (unlike Italy and Greece) but around 20% of Sephardic Jewish heritage which shows that the Jews were more likely to convert in order to stay in Spain after the Catholic kings and the Inquisition expelled all Jews and Muslims who did not want to convert to Christianism. Also after the Reconquista Spain tried to repopulate with people from the North (old Christians). Oddly enough the same genetic study shows little to no Germanic heritage in Spain regardless of the Visigoth presence.
Excellent article !
Good evening! I want to share some thoughts here. In the first place, Spaniards are a people who, until 10, 20 or 30 years ago, tended to be largely very racist, but among themselves (particularly true Spanish people were racist against Basques, and above all, against Catalans, and viceversa; aside of every Spanish regional ethnic group’s obvious racism against Romani Gypsies and North African Muslims, of course), but with the progressive demographic changing in Spain (Spaniards largely don’t have children, immigrants are needed and thus they continue arriving, each year the number of Spanish people dying increases, etc.), many Spanish people (whether true Spaniards or Catalans or Basques or even local Romani Gypsies) tend to be each time more racist and xenophobe against foreigners, specially Moroccans, Algerians, and Muslims from West African countries (Senegal, Mali, Niger, etc.). Of course, many Spaniards tend to hate among themselves (specially, true Spanish people tend to be hated in Catalonia and the Basque Country, and Catalan and Basque peoples tend to be hated very much in the rest of Spain), but racism and xenophobia is on the rise. I can tell this because in the past I was myself both a Catalan and a Spaniard, I’m neither of this two things any longer. I can tell lastly, that quite many Spaniards tend to be ridiculously cynical regarding being Spain a racist country or not; even when strong evidence is provided at their own faces, they vehemently deny it.
They have an issue with Black people, because the Moors, who were Black and from Africa, conquered and colonized them for 700 years and forced their way of life on them. That stigma still resonates their today.
Hi Somto,
Your blog is spot on. I actually read it prior to coming to Spain from the U.S., however I thought why not. The racism definitely exist here, but, the microaggression the people in Barcelona portray is saddening. It takes a lot of energy to be so negative. We have however encountered some really phenomenal people throughout our time here and those encounters really do erase the negative impact. We are staying in a 5 star hotel where the doorman won’t open the door for us and the other staff turn there backs when they see us. My husband and I have learned to go where the locals are when visiting another country. The people are more receptive and are equally as curious about us as we are about them. I too am an educator, therefore I recognize that the microaggressions given is really inferiority within themselves. I cannot say Spain is on my top 10 places to revisit, but I am glad I came. I love the food and the beauty of Spain. We have no regrets in visiting this great place. Thank you for your wonderful insight!
One of the most racist places I experienced in business traveling was Miami-dade by White Cubans ( Spanish Ancestors ) while the same type White Cubans in NY / NJ I found to be lovely people.
It’s 2022 and I’m writing this as I am studying at a university in the Galician region. I’m glad I found this article as I have been struggling to comprehend what I have experienced here. I’m trying to take the good and ignore the bad but it’s been hard. In a university environment, I find myself being in conversations where I’m asked how I got here (as if my existence is a threat to society). I’m at the place where I say there are no excuses for this behaviour towards anyone as we are living in a world where you can choose your opinion. Making excuses for people saying they don’t have an education can be a coping mechanism to help how I feel. I have found peace in speaking to other minority migrants that tell me about the prejudices they have experienced.
Thank you for this article
I’m terribly sorry that you went through these horrible experiences. It was a strong act of yours to know when it’s not worth it to have verbal spats with people who would most likely NEVER stop being little-minded and inferior.
Having travelled through Spain for 40 days on a motorcycle with my “white” husband, I was quite surprised and disappointed with the fact that there seemed to be zero representation of black people. I had assumed that having had colonies around the world, the Spaniards would be more accepting of blacks like their neighbour, France (not to say it’s all donky over there). I had the feeling that black people and Latinos were perhaps “hidden away” somewhere because I hardly encountered them except in Barcelona and Madrid. I came to the conclusion that they live in a world of their own and think themselves to be superior to EVERYONE. I just knew that I would never be totally comfortable living there.
And with your article, my suspicions have been confirmed. This is both terribly a shame and angering. The only thing that would take me back to Spain would be to ride some of the roads again but unfortunately not for the people. Hopefully the younger generation will slowly lead the general subtle racism out of the system as I’ve met many young Spaniards who are forward-thinking and don’t really care about the colour of your skin.
PS: Sorry for my rant. Regardless, I agree with you that Spain is a beautiful country to visit.
Baby Sis how can I find you and give you a hug? I live in Spain (Cadiz area) and I KNOW EXACTLY how you feel being here. It was my dream to retire and move to Spain. Now that I’m here it’s….we’ll….you know. Sigh. Anyways I love you and all my peoples. Leaving the states for Europe can be ANNOYING. However, you won’t get shot or harassed by police (a lot). You’ll just be reminded of your skin color every minute you’re in the presence of Europeans. Aaaaaaaannnnoooyyyyiiiinnnnnngg.
Dear Somto,
Thank you for creating this blog and sharing some of your experiences in Spain. It means a lot that you created a context for the experiences of racism and explained the contrasting reasons why you love Spain. There is no excuse for the racism that exists and it holds back the whole country. It’s foolish, ignorant, harmful and a waste of human potential. I have visited Sevilla once after Portugal. Years later, on a return trip from East Africa, I went to Barcelona and Tenerife. My heart clenched and stomach curled when I observed the struggles of the young African men trying to earn a living selling knock off hand-bags. They seemed constantly harassed by the police. I witnessed a line up of young black African men that had been rounded up by 2 white Spanish police officers. I think they were about to charge them or try to deport them. A crowd gathered as a sort of protection of the young men. The tension in the air was fierce. I saw a change shift over the face of the man at the far end of the line and he made a run for it! I hope the Goddesses and all the Gods protected him. This scene is seared into my mind and I haven’t returned. Your post makes me reconsider Spain. Thank you for spreading your generous spirit and mature outlook on the world. It’s people like you that help change things for the better. 🙂
I am a male of african descent. I appreciate you taking the time to write this article.
So sorry you had those racist experiences. Nothing but love from my family to yours.