Black beyond borders What’s it like to be black in Spain? African-Americans share their experiences interacting with Afro-Spaniards in Valencia By Kamari Pless
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s I counted through the heap of clothes—jeans, skirts, tops, T-shirts, shoes (most of which are heels) and dresses—it was evident that I overpacked. On suitcase number three, it was time to address the anxiety at hand. So many questions sprinted across my mind: Are you ready for this? Will you make any friends? Most imporKhari King enjoys her viewpoint overlooking the tantly, how many outfits do you need? Yet, beneath all those questions was another: Mediterranean Sea during the 2019 Valencia summer program. Photo courtesy of Khari King the elephant in the room. This is a question that simply can’t be answered by flipping through Valencia brochures, and no ness owner in Valencia; and Amber Lewis, a former FSU amount of orientations can prep you for this experience. Valencia student. What would it be like for a black girl in Spain? Africans With these interviews, I gained a wider perspective on have long had a historical presence and influence in black experiences in Spain, learning that each experiSpain. Due to this, black lives in Spain sparked my in- ence is a unique story to be told. terest. King studied in FSU’s 2019 summer International ProFortunately, I was not the only one with similar ques- gram in Valencia. While enjoying a cafe con leche, she tions. walks across the stone road past the Torres de Serranos Seeking answers, I interviewed Khari King, a Florida and into the classroom. As she walks, she realizes that State University student studying in Valencia in 2019; Jori the Afro-Spaniard presence she expects to see is lacking. Davis, a professional women’s basketball player from “I can only think of about 10 black people that I have the U.S. who played for Valencia; Marcia Porter, an FSU seen, that I know are Spaniards or Latino, based on music professor; Toni Hermano, a Nigerian-born busi- hearing them speak Spanish or asking them for direc-
“I can only think of about 10 black people that I have seen, that I know are Spaniards or Latino, based on hearing them speak Spanish or asking them for directions.” —Khari King 6 Nomadic Noles // Summer 2019
