Missing Black Culture

As a young black woman studying abroad in Perugia, Italy, I do not have a culture that caters to me. I miss seeing black people who relate to me. Whether its talking about culture, aspirations, dreams, passions, racism, politics, or religion, I miss having dialogues with people who share like minded views as me.

I miss hearing people having a hunger for life from young black men and women. It keeps me going! I love seeing black men  and women dedicated to a cause or a passion that uplifts the black community. But I don't get that in Perugia, Italy.

I miss that constant appetite for something greater and better. Its inspiring! Its motivational! Its pure genius to me! Such ambition keeps me deeply rooted in my beliefs, views, and values. Its not that I don't appreciate my experience here or all the people I have met but I miss using slang terms or phrases that I are acceptable to me and my friends.

I miss seeing black men and women who don't look at me strangely because I was born in America.

Yes, I am black and my roots link back to Africa, but that does not mean that Africans in Italy relate to me. Or, that I relate to them for that matter. Often times when I go to the Coop which is the large market in Perugia, the Africans I see look at me as if I'm a foreigner. They look at me like I'm  some type of alien that has no common thread to them in no shape or form.

Many of the African women here wear braids and speak in French. Even though my name is French I don't speak French which does not help this problem. Maybe if I spoke French I would have a different experience. But in reality, I don't speak French and honestly I expected African people to be more welcoming and open to black people, because our roots at the end of the day link back to Africa.

Its disappointing because I see that my race continues to be broken and I hope that one day that our race will be healed. Being abroad has taught me a lot about seeing the areas of grey.

Its really weird because I will see some African men with Italian girls.  I love to see people of all race, shades, and creeds. But seeing an African man with an Italian woman makes me wonder if he really likes her or just wants to be with her because of sexual desires.

I  see black people in Perugia occassionally but not on a regular basis. For so long I have seen all shades of black people at both Spelman and Morehouse College. Its strange to go from seeing so many beautiful shades of black beauty to barely seeing none at all.

I realize that this is Italy, but sometimes it's also nice to have someone to relate to. Someone who understands particular references to music, slang, culture, and everyday norms. I miss my own unique culture!

Siena, Italy

I loved the church in Siena, Italy! This was an amazing church and literally took my breath away. This was my favorite church that I saw from the outside.

Livin' my life like its golden

I had an amazing time at Lake Trasimeno with Nikki and Dee. The lake reminded me of Greece because the water was beautiful and the mountains were picturesque. The water was a green I have never seen before. I enjoyed being by the water and enjoying the crisp air.

The natural scene of Lake Transimeno was very serence and peacful. I loved every moment of it. I was taking in every moment and enjoying the small but beautiful blessings God has given all of us to sing, dance, see, breathe, and live life its golden.

This was definitely one of my favorite trips in Italy because I was by the water. I was also with great company who helped to make the time special :).

 

Photography by: Brittany Fennell

I'm going to the lake

Photography by: Brittany Fennell

Salsa Night at Lunabar

Photography by: Brittany Fennell


                                                              

                                                                     



Helping me with my story

I wrote a short story entitled "Black Sunshine" and I am glad that my roommate was able to help me. She made me really empathize and get into the mind of my character. She was able to give me a movie I should watch and also penetrating details about different things I should use to make my story come alive. Watching the movie helped me a lot to convey the emotion I wanted in the story.

Thanks to her I was able to get inside of my character's head and ignite emotion, passion, fear, and desire through the use of descriptive imagery and  concrete details. I was glad  that she helped to inspire me.

God always puts people in you life for a reason and a season.

I have learned quite a bit from her despite her constant negativitiy.

TOMS Shoes Documentary--April 5th 2011 (Perugia, Italy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ucfWOflDJA

April 5th 2011

One for One Movement with TOMS Shoes.

This was the first time Italy participated in this movement.
Check out this documentary :).

150th Anniversary of Italy and St. Patty's Day!

          March 17th 2011---Wow what a day!

This day marked the 150th year Italy has been uniformed as country. Also, this was also St. Patrick's Day! Honestly, this was a very memorable day. There were lights hanging in the town square that were red, white, and green. All the stores on "Corso Vannucci" had flags and clothing in the red, white and green. Its one of the best forms of patriotism I have ever seen in my life.

Yes, some Americans  are patriotic, but I feel we could learn some lessons from the Italians. They truly care about their people and take time to enjoy the little things in life like living, laughing, dancing, spending time with friends and family and eating slowly. They take time to enjoy life and not let it pass them by. Its more important for them to breathe in every breath slowly and not letting the little great moments of each day pass you by.

                                      Photography by: Brittany Fennell