Europe Ain't a Black-Ass Haven
Welcome to the 33rd installment of This Black-Ass Life! We’re taking a mental break during this 3-week period where the gubment is back open to focus on another trash-to-Black-people part of the Western world: Europe. We also talk about Taraji trying to mute a producer like he’s a musician (and Erykah jumping in to show that musician unconditional? love), share a Lion King update, and witness Chad Ochocinco witnessing history from his front yard.
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l. The Facts
Don’t call it a comeback, they’ve been here for centuries. The people who brought you the slave trade are still at it.
European countries love to grandstand and pretend to really live up to the French national motto of liberté, égalité, fraternité. Worse yet, and as evident in article after article post-2016 election, Americans love to point to Europe as a safe haven for Black people.
Let’s be honest, Europe is not a welcoming place for melanated people. According to a recent study, almost a third of people of African descent living in the EU have experienced racial harassment in the past five years.
Then there’s the continent’s collective horrific treatment of Black migrants. Remember the video of an Italian aid worker spraying naked Africans to rid them of “skin diseases?” Or this photo of the back of an abused Sudanese migrant in Greece?
Their treatment of “the other” isn’t limited to Black people. Whether it’s the Roma in Hungary, the Algerians in France, or Syrians fleeing the civil war, Europeans have a long, storied history of xenophobia.
The most recent and depraved example of this comes from Denmark. They’ve decided to two-step past the usual EU move of depriving people of resources through discrimination and landed on MOVING MIGRANTS TO A SMALL, ISOLATED ISLAND. FYI, where migrants are being kept now is also atrocious. “An independent study by a former prison director now working for the rights group Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly found conditions in one of the deportation centers to be comparable to those in some prisons, or worse.”
Why is this important?
Black and Brown people can’t go nowhere in the Western world, or really the whole wide world. That’s quite limiting, y’all!
In the European Union, Black people have trouble securing necessities like jobs, housing, and other essentials for living due to pervasive racism and discrimination.
And again, Denmark wants to move 👏 migrants 👏 to 👏 an 👏 isolated 👏 island!
Yo, Black athletes can’t even win soccer trophies for these racists without being harassed.
What Can My Black Ass Do?
Stay the fuck out of Finland and Luxembourg. Racially-based harassment and racially-based physical attacks were highest in those two countries.
Stop romanticizing Europe and Europeans. PERIODT!
Check out this list of European anti-racist organizations categorized by country.
ll. Other Things
Michael Bae Jordan signed a first-look deal with Warner Bros so time to see that inclusion rider in action. Though quiet reminder he used milk and cereal to convey his “love” for Black women.
Chad Ochocinco had a front row seat to Roger Stone’s arrest. “Crazy start to my Friday,” he shared.
Grateful for this clear and succinct breakdown on Venezuela sent to us by a friend and reader.
Chris Brown is hot garbage.
It’s like Taraji and Erykah have combined their auntie powers to force us into not giving our dollars to What Men Want.
It means more to me than I (Mitu) can explain to see Quinn Cook next to President Barack Obama when he chilled with The Warriors. Also, gentle reminder that LeBron posted the greatest tweet of all time in support of Seth Curry.
Nope! I (Jumoke) do not see it for Kamala. Too many receipts of her criminal justice misdeeds for me to join the bandwagon. But best believe if she wins the nomination, I’ll do everything I can to defeat Burnt Sienna Satan because I’m a Black woman and I know better.
I (Mitu) am not a huge Roland Martin fan, but this was very funny.
Beyoncé and Donald Glover will sing “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?” for Lion King.
Our Black-Ass song of the week (Jumoke):
Y’all, Cardi B forced me into stanning for her and here I am. I surrender. Real talk, the level of dontgiveafuckness, melanin, and lack of men is giving me unadulterated joy. City Girls still mad homophobic tho. TWERK!
Things we are looking forward to / things we are not looking forward to:
I (Jumoke) look forward to giving Ms. Pat McGrath all my tax refund $$. I’m not even into makeup like that, but I need this mascara. Take.All.My.Coins.
I (Mitu) tentatively look forward to federal workers hopefully getting their back pay ASAP. Though who knows if Pumpkin Purée Putin will put them through this again in 3 weeks.
lll. Text from a Black-Ass Mama
I (Jumoke) bought my mama a FitBit and she wasn’t hype about it because it kept dying. I called Amazon for a replacement, then she realized she just wasn’t charging it long enough, and then panicked when a new one showed up at her door.
Stay Black, thrive, charge your things PROPERLY, and we’ll hit your inbox next on February 11.