HOW TO CHECK YOUR WHITE PRIVILEGE WHEN TRAVELING

While the circumstances that continue to fuel the Black Lives Matter movement are terrible, the changes and education that are taking place give me hope that the human race continues to head in a positive direction of togetherness. In this, I am dedicated to becoming a better ally to those in my life now, in the future, and anyone I encounter who has been marginalized by society and white privilege. As a white woman, I realize I am not in a position to declare what being a good ally means, but I would like to share how I am taking my travel experiences and lessons I’ve learned while living abroad and applying them to my daily life in the hopes that it makes me a stronger ally to the BIPOC community around the world.

In seeking to be a respectful traveler when visiting other countries, there are a few simple rules I follow to guide my steps. First, is recognizing that as a white, English-speaking person, I benefit from white privilege. For those of you who aren’t aware, white privilege is defined by the inherent advantages possessed by a white person on the basis of their race. This means that it is much easier for me to live my daily life, as well as visit or even live in other countries and communities without much worry of discrimination or bias. The tourism industry in many countries, including Indonesia, has historically been designed to attract people who look and speak like me.

The additional steps outlined below require us to do some extra work before traveling and not shying away from challenging or uncomfortable interactions on a trip. If you think that this is “too hard” or “not worth it” to take the extra time or be uncomfortable, that is white privilege. White people, myself included, have been unconsciously (and consciously, in some cases) benefitting from our privilege to a) feel more comfy in our day to day lives and b) gain experiences others don’t have access to. This has to stop, and the ask, when compared to the burden carried by BIPOC and marginalized communities globally is NOT hard. It just requires us to approach how we live and travel with greater consciousness.

The great thing about these guidelines for respectful travel is they can easily translate into daily life and help all of us who endeavor to ally become better at it. If you want to connect with the Black community, learn their stories, support their businesses, and take time to understand the words and definitions around racism (i.e. structural racism, anti-blackness and white supremacy). Most importantly, don’t be afraid of getting uncomfortable. Being white means having the PRIVILEGE to avoid uncomfortable situations, while being a POC in the U.S. means not having the option (and being forced to deal with far worse feelings than momentary discomfort).

When followed, the below guidelines can create connections to people and cultures that will make any trip you take that much more memorable and meaningful - and these connections are exactly what we need to build the future we want for our children. All of them.

GUIDELINES FOR RESPECTFUL TRAVEL

Remember this place was not created to make you feel comfortable - White people are so used to having products and places cater to their demographic that when things fall short of their standards for comfort and accessibility it feels like an affront. If you’re an avid traveler, it’s likely that you’ve been to a place where you were one of only a few white people in the room. Yet it is unlikely that this “otherness” was met with suspicion, insensitivity or even just a lack of care for your needs. Rather, someone might register your whiteness and automatically start speaking to you in English, even ask what you need help with. Don’t let yourself be lulled into unconsciousness by the rampant Eurocentric standards of the travel and tourism industry. Be grateful for the care and concern you are shown, rather than act like it’s expected. If the food is “too spicy” for you, seek out something else to eat (I could do an entire blog post about white people wanting to eat exactly what they would at home…but I’ll save it for another day). If someone doesn’t speak your language, be patient and use tools like Google translate or hand gestures to try and make yourself understood. Most of all, be open to the new and the different and to what you can learn from this new culture - that’s what travel is all about!
Educate yourself on the history of the country or city you are visiting - I remember visiting Mexico City and asking a waiter of mine about the twin volcanoes that loom over the city. He was so shocked I’d never heard of their mythology, and proceeded to tell me the whole story. It’s not the only time I remember feeling a bit embarrassed that my Eurocentric education side-stepped the important histories and mythologies of a country or culture. Now, before I travel, I try to learn at least a few of the most important stories that built the place I plan to visit.
Learn a few words in the local language - I’m not suggesting that you learn a new language every time you plan to travel, but learning some of the basics for polite, human interaction - hello, goodbye, thank you, i’m sorry, please, etc. - will go a long way in demonstrating to the locals you interact with that you don’t just expect everyone around you to instead speak your language. And demonstrating this desire to connect with their culture tends to result in people treating you with greater patience and kindness.
Practice ethical travel photography - Imagine if you were going about your day, shopping at the grocery store or chatting with friends on the street, and someone you didn’t know snapped a photo of you on their phone and walked away with no explanation. Imagine if they did this to your child. At best you’d be irritated and at worst you’d feel utterly violated - especially if they caught you at a vulnerable moment (such as begging for money on the street). The bottom line is it’s never OK to take photos of other people without their permission. If you’re a photographer working to capture the local culture, start by creating a connection with potential subjects - flatter their outfit, ask about their work or simply ask how their day is going. Once a genuine connection is made, you can seek permission to take their photo. If they decline, respect their boundaries and carry on.
Spend your money with local businesses - When someone says “shop local” while traveling you probably imagine strolling through street markets or getting coffee at a local cafe. However, every dollar you spend on your trip can help support the local economy - from the hotel you choose to stay with (boutique vs chain) to the tour company you hire to guide your visit. Consciously choosing to keep your cash in the local community is one of the most powerful ways