The rising number of hate crimes, divisive politics, and the number of mass shootings is why travelers say they feel safer on the road than in the United States.
When Eric Martin, co-founder of the online travel and lifestyle platform Black & Abroad was asked if he experienced prejudice while traveling abroad by the Washington Post, he stated, “The most racism I receive is in the U.S., hands down, especially as of late. Traveling abroad has been a refuge for me. It’s been therapeutic because I am able to just be and not have to worry about whether I might get pulled over or mistaken for this person or that person. It’s very different, which is why we encourage travel to the African continent.”
Since the election of President Donald Trump, five black-owned travel companies told Vice News that they’ve seen an uptick from Black Americans wanting to move abroad.
“There’s been a realization that has occurred with black people since Trump came to office,” Claire Soares, owner of Up in the Air Life, said referencing white supremacist groups and sympathizers. “We may have thought things were good, but I think we realize things are not as they seem. People that we thought were our friends and we cheer for, they are not really cheering for us.”
“Fortunately, you can’t be president for life in America, which is a good thing,” Christine Donnelly, a black businesswoman from Chicago, told the publication. “This is a tough season for a lot of people. So, we’re looking for coping mechanisms, you know, and ways to take care of ourselves, because we’re not on the agenda.”
