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!
