I hope this is not too stupid of a question, if it is I already apologize in advance.
Basically my girlfriend and I who are from Germany are planning to travel to the USA. We were hearing stuff that some Americans socially divide people by their ethnicity. I just wanted to ask online whether this is true and if there could be any concerns because my skin is very bright and my girlfriends skin is very dark.
Normally we never really cared or talked about this since at least in our community (where we are from) no one makes a thing out of it and we both just identify as German. But I heard that in some procedures in America you have to say what your ethnicity is? We even heard things like that in some places they divide people by “skin color” and base different cultures on that (we noticed that people from America even speak and behave differently based on whether they identify as “black” or “white”) and even have schools for primarily people with dark skin or so. And this concept is very new to us since our skin was never any topic for us and we are somewhat insecure that someone could say something since we look so different and are a couple and we don’t know if this could be “weird” for some Americans?
I assume that’s probably not the case and I’m somewhat misinformed, which is why we just want to make sure there isn’t anything that we have to know or potentially have to be concerned about.
Been to various parts of the US. Met open racists on a few occasions. How likely you are to encounter them will vary by location, but your experience will most likely be great. There are many racists in America but most of them are not the kind who will choose some black tourist in the middle of the city to harass. You’d have to get pretty unlucky to get more than a snide look. Most of the people you will interact with as a tourist will be customer service reps, who, generally speaking, will be extremely cordial, even if they were to be the kind of American who has some issues with race. The one color Americans respect more than black or white is green. If you have money to spend, they’ll be only too happy to help you spend it. Cops will treat you better if you have money too, and not even in the sense of bribes. Dress like you have money and they’ll treat you like you do.
That said, non-racial crime is still very much a thing, especially against tourists, so keep to the safety of well lit, populated areas as much as you can unless you have a local to tell you where it’s safe.
Oh, and try some authentic Mexican food if you can. It’s delicious.
I am actually impressed that someone still wants to visit the usa in this times, especially as a poc. Aren’t the red flags already bright enough?
Depends where in the US you are going i guess but in general people aren’t openly racist to strangers. I can’t imagine you would have any issues. 2 years from now who knows, things are going to shit quicker than I could have ever imagined. People are going to be asking about your accent likely, we don’t meat Germans very often. I don’t think I have ever met one in person. I live in the middle of nowhere though. I’d guess most if any attention you get would be positive.
I have lifelong experience in the deep south and rural areas which is where the worst of it is. They usually will not say anything to your face but some they might say something to their friend behind your back (and be completely embarrassed if they find out you overheard it). Remember these aren’t cartoon buff guys with bats where half of them are named Skeeter. It’s not as overtly in your face as much as media likes to portend.
It’s also wildly different who is black. If it’s the man who’s black, then there is this sentiment that “they’re invading our women” and it gives them a predatory feeling. But if a white man picks a girl of any race then they don’t really care. It’s the same sentiment that if a white man wants to date a black girl or smash his hand with a hammer or eat 200 hot dogs in a sitting, he’s got that god given American Freedum to do what he wants.
I will add though that as a White man, I dated a black woman and was constantly harrased in public by black men and women.
America is a big place, and how people will react to you depends entirely on where you go. Racial incidents increased after Trump took office in 2016 and they probably will again now, but in general you’re totally safe.
You’ll be fine everywhere you go. No one will even notice you. What you see online and how it is in real life are wildly different. Enjoy your trip
If you encounter the police, they can kill your girlfriend and earn a 6 month paid vacation.
This is not a joke. Act accordingly.
Not helpful or likely.
There’s plenty of racism around, but I wouldn’t worry about it as tourists. What you read about is the general systemic problems related to living here in the day to day. That’s pretty different from visiting as a tourist. As a tourist, you’re pretty unlikely to experience anything like that.
As many people said there is racism in the US, but that’s cause everywhere has its flavor of racism.
If you’re visiting the US as tourists it’s highly unlikely you’ll encounter anyone being outwardly racist, especially if you keep to major tourist destinations.
In any major US city you’ll run into people of all different colors and people from all over the world working and living together, just like most big/international cities.
I’m an American. Wanna trade places? Germany seems a lot less Nazi recently.
They would have to be utterly fuckin deranged, mate
Our two countries are more similar than most Brits care to admit.
Your description sounds to me like someone was trying to explain how the US is a melting pot of cultures and they did an extremely poor job 😂
Essentially because we are a country of immigrants people with similar cultures tend to group together. For example there are parts of cities that are predominantly Italian or Chinese. Not because we are racist but because that just happens naturally. People want to share an experience a culture similar to their home country.
Obviously there is always a chance that someone will say something but just ignore them or tell them to mind their own business. You have our blessing to treat those people with absolute disrespect.
I assume that’s probably not the case
Go there. Test it out. Troll them. Record them. Have fun!
I’ve lived all over the US. You won’t have any such issues. Enjoy your trip and take some nice photos!
If you get lost or need some help, say you are visiting from Germany and need some help. People will be glad to give it.
If you’re not pro Trump I would just tell you to boycott the US until it gets its shit together, especially considering that you’re planning to go to a red state.
When I was young I always dreamt of travelling to the US some day. By the time I could actually have afforded it, George Dubya had rolled around and madness took over. So I thought I’d wait for sanity to reassert itself. Still waiting but I have little hope at this point.
Don’t come here. Shit’s fucked.
