Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: being Black in Barcelona! Many of y’all want to know whether we’re treated fairly, welcomed and respected over there. Well, I am happy to to confirm that being Black in Spain is fun, safe, and great for opening up to new ways of life.
It’s not what you’re used to (especially if you’re American), and I can guarantee that as long as you don’t look for offense, your visit will be peaceful!
Read on to learn why being Black in Barcelona is a great experience!
Before We Start, Remember that You Are God’s Child!
It’s scary to go to other countries. Different cultures, unfamiliar languages and strange customs make international travel a stressful event. That plus all the spending makes for a special kind of worry.
But I want you to know that, whether you’re Black and reading this to prepare or someone of another ethnicity here to learn, we are all children of God! We walk in victory everywhere we go. As it says in the Bible: “Every place where you set your foot will be yours.” Deuteronomy 11, verse 24.
So get excited, make your plans and board your plane knowing that the entire world is your oyster to explore!
My Experience was Great!
My experience in Spain was awesome. Actually, my experiences over all of Europe were good – I lived in Barcelona, worked in Germany on the weekends, and traveled to places like France and Andorra.
There was never a time where I felt like an outcast or like I didn’t belong. I did feel very exotic, like the parrots that flew over the city, and my own loneliness took a moment to overcome.
But those were my own burdens. Things that living abroad helped me see and work through in an adventurous way. When it came to my classmates, my neighbors, shop owners and other locals, they all made me feel welcome and comfortable. It was cool.
Noticeable Differences
When it comes to the Infamous Stares
The stares in Spain are nicer. Being Black in Barcelona means you stand out because there aren’t many other brown people around, so naturally the locals look. But it’s not like the stare in the United States. It’s kind of like how you might be if you saw an obviously French person in a mid-Western grocery store.
If you’re not used to stares in crowds it will be a bit uncomfortable, but no one will approach you unless they want to give you a compliment. In time you’ll feel comfortable walking the streets.
If you are used to stares, enjoy it! You’re the most interesting person outside.
Being Black in Barcelona Means Your Hair Will Be Okay!
As it’s a European country, almost everyone’s hair is long and smooth. The products in the stores reflect that – mousse and bobby pins are a girl’s best friend. However, there are plenty of different hair gels available. If you’re like me and live on wash-and-gos, you’ll have zero trouble finding what you need.
Keep in mind that shampoos and conditioners carry the usual ingredients (minus the potentially carcinogenic products that are banned in the EU). If you’re good with sulfates, you’ll be just fine.
In Gracia there’s a place called the Hair Store! This is where you’ll find all of your favorite curly girl necessities: Shea Moisture, Carol’s Daughter, Tgin and more! It was my favorite hair care shop, but be warned! These are considered niche American products so the prices are astronomical.
If you think a jar of deep conditioner in the States is expensive? Wait until you see this!
As far as touching hair, the Spaniards do not have that habit. The only person who ever touched my hair was a very old and tiny little woman with a genuine curiosity. Other than that, people respect your bubble!
Local Girls Braid Too!
There are plenty, and I mean plenty of Black hair braiders in Barcelona! African women, Afro Latinas, Black girls from the US and more. It only takes a moment to find someone who braids hair or someone who knows someone who braids hair. Follow the usual routine: give your compliment to the girl whose hair catches your eye and ask for their braider’s Instagram (the braiders in Spain market there are services just like everyone else)!
If You’re African
Here is an unfortunate reality for most Western European countries: some of the people have an issue with Africans. It’s not everybody and it’s not all the time. But you could be from Nigeria, Tanzania, Sudan, or anywhere else and hear unkind comments about your country and people.
As an American, it was hard to deal with emotionally. I hated seeing my people be treated that way, but at the end of the day, the majority of the issues were words, snarky remarks, people moving away from others – things that can be ignored.
If you’re Black from somewhere that is not on the African continent, the best thing that you can do is show love and respect to our cousins in the presence of others. Love is the best solution to hate.
Black People have a Good Reputation
Black Americans have a really good reputation in Western Europe. Whether it’s about social justice, music, or just generally loving President Obama (and they do, there is a restaurant that is literally named Obama), your skin color and accent are an invitation for good vibes.
Being Black in Barcelona Means Friendly Stereotypes
In Spain, Black people in general are expected to be the life of the party. I had a bit of fun with that – but between business school and military work, my sense of self was not the girl who would throw it back after one Dos Equis (I needed 3 minimum). If you are there for a good time and not a long time, do your thing! They’ve been waiting their entire lives to meet someone like you!
Food!
It’s not very hard to make our traditional foods in Spain. Most of the ingredients are available in local supermarkets. For Americans if you’re ever feening for cornbread, there are American food stores that sell Jiffy boxes for three euros!
Being Black in Barcelona means Cornbread at the Potluck
My school had an international food competition, so of course I came with the cornbread! I’m pretty famous for it back home; it’s my usual potluck contribution. Mind you, I was up against Germany, Cyprus, France, and Ukraine, among others! So instead of bringing it in a pan, I made them into little muffins – I had to make sure everyone got one.
People seemed surprised when I explained that it was a side dish and not a dessert, but everyone liked it. I came and fourth place at the end of the night.
In other words, our food is very welcome!
Problem spots
Being Black in Barcelona Does Not Mean You Are Food
This the problem spot when it comes to dating in Spain. First things first, if you’ve been learning about black women’s experiences in Europe, you might know that the men like us.
I can confirm that that is very true.
Here’s where the issue comes in: the interest they show is not always genuine. In some cases, their motivation to “try out” a black woman is because they’ve never been with one before.
You’ve probably heard this before, so it goes without saying that we are not exotic appetizers for someone to sample before their main meal.
You will have no problem finding dates and salsa partners! Just remember to be mindful about what people say to you and how they say it!
Not All the Black People will Be Your Friends, and That’s Okay
This is important for those of you who are moving abroad for school or work.
People are people everywhere you go, which means that even if you and the other girl are the only Black people at the school, you may not develop a friendship. Living abroad in a developed country isn’t the survival situation many might think it is, so the Black folk don’t have a need to all band together.
It can be a disheartening fact, but it’s also a healthy one! Open your heart and mind to being the only Black person in your friend group – even if they don’t get your jokes or listen to the your music, they’ll love you all the same.
Experiencing Privilege for the First Time
Being Black in Barcelona was the first time that I experienced privilege, and boy did I like it.
Being Black in Barcelona Makes Errands Easy
One of the requirements for getting an apartment in Spain is having a Spanish bank account. It’s a notoriously hard thing for study abroad students to get done. Even my Spanish-speaking friends ran into roadblocks and ended up just not doing it.
But for me, the people working at the bank were eager to help! In one case I accidentally made a bank account online and had to go in person to sort it out. The bankers were very friendly, and when it became clear that it would take a little bit of time, they sent me home and fixed my account remotely.
The employees at the store where I got my SIM card were always kind, and when I had to do exchanges after a day of shopping the cashiers were helpful. Any time there was a situation where you might expect people to become upset or impatient, I experienced the opposite.
Being Black in Barcelona Means You’re a Bit of a Superstar
And are! Simply by virtue of the fact that you stand out in a crowd, people will naturally look at you, but if you have a good energy they will gravitate towards you as well! Like I said, if they find out that you’re American and like to have a good time? You might as well be Beyoncé.
The Community is There!
Finally, the community is there, especially if you’re Latin. I didn’t grow up around a lot of Afro Latinas. Most of my friends were Caribbean, but they didn’t engage in their country’s ways as much as African American culture, and it was the same for me and my family. So I wasn’t necessarily panicking about finding the other Afro Latinas, but I knew I would feel better if there was just one or two around.
I had no idea that Spain was the place that everybody was moving to, so I was happy when I got to school and found out that one of my administrators was Dominican. The girls who worked at the café across the street were Black as well, so every single day of the week I got to have a quick conversation with the other girls like me!
If you want to dive deeper into the communities there in Barcelona, you definitely can. So if you’re Latin American and in need of la gente, know that you will absolutely find them!
That’s All!
As far as being Black in Barcelona and Spain in general goes, I had an excellent experience! It was one of the first times in my life where I felt like my skin color didn’t matter – and when it did, it was an aura boost. Don’t let your Blackness be the reason you don’t see the world! In fact, make it your superpower and love every minute of it!
Next, read about the beautiful things you realize when you travel!
I love you!
P.S. I used that time to start un-manifesting racism from my life. By that, I mean that since I started identifying as just a person, people who judge based on the outside haven’t been around me! Interested in doing the same? Buy the Positivity Journal on Etsy!
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