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Talking to Strangers at the Duomo
“That familiar scenario — being the only Black — had an outcome I hadn’t expected”
Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.
Over the past two years, I’ve focused on solo international travel. As a person of color, specifically an African American, this is an ambitious project. The joy comes in proving to myself my unforeseen capabilities; developing thoughtful, productive conclusions from challenging situations; and, most important, showing other people who look like me, especially Black men, that traveling of all kinds, specifically solo, can be done. The downside comes in my constant fear of being the only Black around. Couple that with a fear of heights and flying and one would wonder what the hell I’m doing — a question I, too, ask myself prior to boarding planes.
Being me in any context means being on guard at all times. Being me in another country, alone, is enough to have all of my senses on high alert. Once, while on a trip in London, I was practically turned away from a restaurant because, according to two people who worked there, “The…
