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I’m a 50-year-old Black woman, and one of my aspirations is to one day board an airplane dressed in a cozy pair of sweatpants. You might wonder why this seemingly trivial desire holds such significance for me, but it stems from experiences of racism that I, as a Black woman, have endured.
Travel has always been a part of my life, both through work and as a personal passion. I revel in the opportunity to explore new cultures, cuisines, and communities, having visited over 50 countries. However, I’ve noticed a troubling pattern: how I dress significantly influences my experiences with racism while traveling. It appears that when I wear sweatpants, I’m more likely to encounter overt racism in various countries, including the U.K., U.S., Germany, France, and Italy. Conversely, when I opt for a classy pantsuit, I often escape racial profiling altogether.
It seems that airport customs and immigration officials associate Black individuals in sweatpants with negative stereotypes such as drug trafficking or criminal behavior. Wearing my most comfortable travel attire often leads to random searches and meticulous scrutiny of my passport, as if I might be attempting to travel with forged documents. The predictability of this racial profiling has led me to wager with my white friends on whether I’ll be stopped—so far, I’ve won every bet.
In many situations, we as Black people learn to navigate racism without making a fuss. We may face blatant discrimination, receive poor service, or even be unjustly stopped by police, but we often choose to remain composed to avoid escalating the situation. In a world rife with racism, we are forced to suppress our anger and pride in the face of injustices, which requires immense strength and maturity.
Typically, I lay out my nicest outfits the night before travel, even though deep down I resent that I must conform to this unspoken expectation. I wish I could wear sweatpants without fear of prejudice, but the anxiety of dealing with racism on top of the usual travel stress is simply too much.
With the rise of electronic checkpoints at airports, I’ve encountered less racial profiling during immigration. While there are concerns about potential biases in these systems, I personally have faced fewer issues with machines than with human officials. I often feel relieved to interact with a machine rather than a person who may harbor conscious or unconscious biases. Yet, even with electronic systems in place, human oversight remains, leaving the potential for racial profiling intact. Until that changes, I’ll continue to opt for my dressier travel attire.
I find myself questioning how much money airports waste by disproportionately targeting Black individuals for searches, while actual criminals may go unchecked. I’ve traveled with white friends who have smuggled goods without drawing any suspicion, and their experiences highlight the disparities in how we are treated.
Writing about racism compels me to confront its pervasive influence on my life choices. While some readers suggest I shouldn’t let racism dictate my life, it’s easier said than done. The trauma of racism prompts a desire to avoid it whenever possible. Over my 50 years, I’ve become adept at recognizing potential sources of racial tension, and I try to sidestep those situations to minimize pain and humiliation. If you found yourself in my position, wouldn’t you do the same?
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In summary, my experiences as a Black woman highlight the complexities of racism in travel, particularly in relation to how I dress. While I long for the comfort of sweatpants, the reality of racial profiling often forces me to conform to societal expectations to protect my mental health.
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