Find solution
What is the best country to live in Europe?

What is the best country in Northern or Western Europe for a Black American woman to live, socially? ?

  • I'm quite over the situation here in the US. I feel like as an educated black woman, I am not afforded a normal life socially as a woman (I don't think we are in the same situation as educated black men here at all), and I'd like to leave. I've lived in and traveled to several different countries and been around enough different folks to figure out that I can't deal with conservative cultures as far as gender roles and sexism is concerned even if they are slightly better as far as race is concerned (so that puts out the Caribbean and Africa) nor can I deal with the post-slavery/post-colonial context that both blacks and whites and other groups exist in here in the US i.e. the residual internalized racism and racism... so I guess that puts out Latin America too. God knows Eastern Europe is known for its racism. Also, I've heard that France, Italy, and Spain can be quite difficult at times as well. Please spare me any sermons about over-generalizations; I really don't have time for it because we all know that things that occur commonly in cultures have a real effect on a person's life. So, where should I go? Belgium, Sweden, England, Finland, Switzerland etc.? I've heard really good things about Northern Europe as far as race is concerned and they are way liberal in comparison to here in the US so I think the gender thing should be covered there too. HELP PLEASE :) Any suggestions are much appreciated :)

  • Answer:

    I am also a black American woman who has traveled a lot, and I positively LOVE Europe. Of course its not perfect, but when I was there and walked the streets, not being judged by my skin was liberating. My husband and I have been all over, and here are some cities/countries I recommend and why: 1) Barcelona, Spain I know people think Spaniards are racist, not true. Love the architecture, the food, the siesta, the people and their laid back style and zest for life. I also know Americans who got work there teaching english. Con: they smoke alot over there. 2) Bern, Switzerland Absolutely beautiful, in the Swiss alps, very clean, saw a lot of blacks with professional jobs there. Con: not as diverse as other cities, but up and coming 3)Brussels, Belguim LOVE the architecture, the food is awesome, very clean, very diverse, Con: weather can be dreary sometimes. Hope that helps!!

stephyja... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

lol are you serious? my question is, what makes you think that your situation is so unique from the other 20 million black women living in this country lol? Plenty of people have problems with racism, sexism, etc and they dont get up and leave the continent. Moving to annother nation might help, it might not. Europe is liberal overall, but there is a growing level of far-right sentiment and extreme nationalism within Europe. Conservatism is resuging in Italy and France (france's president himself is conservative), as well as Britain. Switzerland just passed a law which basically allows the residents of a neighborhood/village the right to vote on whether an individual immigrant should be granted citizenship. For all the hype about how liberal Europe allegedly is, alot of it is bullshit. Europe has just as many problems regarding minorities as does any other nations. Legally they have a live and let live attitude but that doesnt necessarily means that EVERYONE is accepting of everything. France is allegedly liberal, but only 45% of French people believe that being gay is "an acceptable lifestyle". Disillusioned muslims have bombed Britain's public transport, there have been massive riots in Spain and France by both Left and Right wing factions and violence has occasionally broken out. Also worth considering is money, culture, and language. None of these nations speak English as a first language. Also the cost of living is much higher, and the money you currently have isnt worth as much over there. So if youre moving because of ideology then I'm sorry but youre gonna be dissapointed. There aint no utopias in this life, honey. Basically what it looks like to me is that you're lookin to move away from ignorant people.....but theres ignorance and intolerance EVERYWHERE. If you wanna go to Europe, go for the right reasons, not because you think its gonna be paradise or anything like that. Europeans might not have to deal with the same type of crap as americans, but they still have their own sh*t to shovel. But if i was to recommend two places they would be: Marseilles, France-it's the most multicultural city in france and probably the one with the least volatile race relations. London-expensive, with alot of slums, but the nicer areas are worth it. My fam lives here (theyre caribbean)

LexDiamonds

Don't be offended, but the European Union is turning on more restrictions to immigration, legal obstacles to live here, I mean. By the way, black people are not misregarded by only their color skin, but the social background is very important. I think France goes on accepting blacks easier than other countries.

mary_the_teacher

the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Stop running away from your problems.

Amanda

just because they have a liberal government doesn't mean they'll all look at you as one of them, remember, white racism was invented by the Nordic types

Mother Funker

I know many black folks living in Switzerland, who have said nothing but good things about it. Look into that, good luck in whichever new country you move to. I've also thought about moving out of the US one day, I used to say I want to move to Paris, but the weather's not really to my liking there.

Calzinho Mac

Its not best to run from your problems but i heard of a lot of black people living in Switzerland france, and england........ I would perfer england because it would be easier, and you dont have to learn a new language, but there is going to be problems wherever you go Phoenician Princess::::how about you go back to the trash can in the trailer park where you came from ....racistbitch

Giachetta *Italian Chick*

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.