BEING A BLACK AMERICAN IN LONDON | Karen sightings + London culture 

DISCLAIMER: Whilst I love an open dialogue. I do want to place a disclaimer in the comments that the opinions in this video are mine and mine alone. I will not tolerate bullying or American slander in the comments. I also need to remind those watching that this video is intended for educational purposes for Black American individuals visiting or wanting to live in London. My experience though unique is shared with many others during my life of six years in the U.K. Respectfully if you are not a Black American, please be careful of what you comment as many things in our day to day life and understanding have been rooted in racism and this topic is very sensitive for Black Americans. I will delete any slander and do not tolerate microaggressions either. I'm not the one. Also to any British viewers, we would love to hear opinions, but do not minimize my experience in your country, or I will delete your comment and ban you from my channel. My intentions are purely to give an example of the life that I lived. If you are offended or displeased with what you heard in my video, either leave (respectfully) and watch someone else's video or do your own research on racism in the U.K. Thanks for watching xx

The reason people are staring at you its that your beautiful.

I think the difference can be shown by what a mate of mine said after a visit to the USA (he is black). He was chatting with a black American family and the wife asked him what was he called in the UK. He didn't know what she meant and she said: "Oh we are called African Americans". So he said "Oh right. We are called British".

There’s also the colorism aspect to racism too. The lighter-skinned a Black person is, the more “tolerant” people are which is bad. I find that darker-skinned Black Americans get more outward racism in some places which is ridiculous but it happens.

I think that's the ignorance we black Brits show when asking an American African where they're from. We Know the history of the Americas but we just can't help ourselves. I'm a 2nd generation British Caribbean, meaning my grandparents on my mum and dad sides moved here during Windrush, mum and dad are 1st born generation. My oldest sibling (sister) spent most of her time growing up with my nan (mums mum) so my sister was able to tell me how far back our lineage goes: Great great great great grandmother was a super darkskin woman who married an Irish immigrant and had 12 kids. Never was a slave. In fact, what my sister told me, she could've even been a pirate, or last of. We only know our heritage here in Britain because our black history in Britain isn't that far back. Other than Scotland, but even that history has been whitewashed. Brits in general are interested in the Americas and what life was and is like so we tend to ask questions that could be offensive, but we are a cheeky and sarcastic bunch here on this tiny island lol. The stares I would say is due to maybe you always rocking natural hair. Not a common sight for black British women unfortunately.

With regards to your first point, as a UK citizen, if we met I would ask where you were from because of your accent, (not skin tone). America would be too broad an answer for me personally. Reason being the UK is about the size of Texas so I would ask you to narrow it down a bit. Interest purposes only, climate, culture, time zone etc. If time allows depending on the situation, a friendly short conversation could take place because of it. This would be considered a normal, polite exchange. If I were to probe any further, for example no; where were you from originally? That would be out and out racism which has no part in our society. If the latter happened to you I carry the shame and can only apologise. If my perceived outlook on this is outdated, please someone in chat educate me. Take care all

She's not the original black American she's an immigrant herself from an immigrant background her people were not slaves in the United States of America

I am surprised they stared, I thought London had a lot Black people from the Carribbean and Black people from Africa living there.

Definitely stare 'cause your gorgeous, (I'm straight, female and old') One can appreciate beauty regardless of colour or gender! If you see beautiful, like coming across an unexpected piece of art! Well, that's how I see it.

They probably stare because you are extremely Beautiful ❤️

I'm pink, Daveena your Beautiful, I'm from England, & I had a black girlfriend but her DaD moved to the USA with the family I still miss her it was love at first sight, I done all the three thing's also the bell so i can see more of you, Keep safe please.

Sorry for any bad experience here some people are just small minded. I grew up in 70s and 80s has definitely improved since then but has a lot more to be improved. Hope we get there one day. I am white English and don't suffer this can only offer sympathy and regret anyone suffers this

Europeans often have complex inheritance, I'm Welsh, Irish and Norwegian, but that's because we know our blood lines, it's all documented, something that's always been important for titles and royal families etc. So American as answer which is a relatively new country feels incomplete as an answer, so it isn't what people expect because when you ask Europeans most of us have info on our origin line. Even when white people say American I feel like its not an answer.... Is it Irish, Canadian or British roots but Americans rarely know the answer to their history line, whether they white or black they all stop at American.

there shouldn't be racism were all Human and got to admit your a beautiful black woman

Yes there are definitely a lot of micro aggressions, ignorance and damn straight racism in London. People in the world do stare, but all Londoners do see plenty of black brits, so it’s not uncommon. There’s culture all over London. Ppl who aren’t fr south, don’t travel all the way there for vibes. Nice vid

A lot of us are really really from/indigenous to America too so there’s that.

I knew you were a fellow Marylander...I could just feel it. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Another Marylander lookin to move to Amsterdam. I'm Nigerian American but don't know much about Nigeria so I can slightly relate especially when people see my last name. Appreciate your vids !

Where is your parents from in the carribeans and where were you born? The Black American ethnicity is those of us with ancestors from America not people who immigrated.

love this video! thinking of moving down there next year short term

Where are you from is not a country question it’s a state question. We have a good understanding about North America, including the United States you know! We also know current affairs.

Thank you for this. Because I am moving there in 3 months

Surprised you got that in London, I get stared at living in Norfolk being almost 6ft black women. However in London be comparison it's relaxing.

My partner is Venezuelan , in the area where I live in Plymouth , Devon I know a lady whom I thought was a Latina too , so I asked her if she was one out of interest . It turned out she was half oriental , south east asian , I'm aware of the business of microaggressions so I explained why I'd asked her , she was not in the least offended . My son is half Filipino and gets asked all the time what his heritage is , he is not bothered at all by peoples curiosity , my partner gets asked too , the point I'm making is that very often people are just interested . It's interesting when people have mixed parentage , my observation is that people seem to be quick to take offence these days , more often than not there is non meant. I get asked if I'm from Plymouth , I was born here but I don't have a local accent , when I visit other parts of the UK I get asked where I'm from , very often people are surprised I'm from the south west . You should visit other parts of the UK , London is an international city and not representative of the country in general.

Can you do a similar video for Amsterdam? I’d like to know what to expect ❤️

When people ask me where I'm "really" from Intelligence them straight, my family depends from American slavery so all I know is that when it ended my ancestors were in North Carolina on my moms side and The US west Indies on my dads side. nd his dad is from Ireland. But I notice as soon as I bring up slavery white people turn beet red liken"Oh I wish I hadn't asked that question "!

You are a beautiful woman, people will stare, if they clutch their bags it's because they don't know how else to react. I am black person and how I'd react would make you think I'm the weirdest person you ever saw.

This was DOPE. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I absolutely love ur videos, hope u continue posting!❤️

It’s true. Unless you’re super successful and known then you get treated like trash. There is no black middle class community in the UK. There are black middle class individuals but not large communities like in America.

6:40 other pocs are like that everywhere you look out for your own and ignore the rest

Are you sure you were in London, England because people in London don’t look at each other let alone care that you are black? There’s a reason why we’re the mixed race capital of the world. Sorry your brother felt singled out. Perhaps if you travelled more extensively you would find we are a very tolerant and liberal country. I felt your comment on wigs was a little judgmental that said I’m a big believer in natural hair but my other family members do it for convenience and being able to change looks more often without having to pay massive hairdressing bills.

Speaking of hair, are there hair salons that presses hair for black women in England?

I love your video! Thanks!💕🌸🌺🌷😎

Probably because your an attractive woman!!

I hope they were staring at you because of your Beautiful period. I'm an American 57 yrs old from New Haven Ct. I HAVE 5 GRANDKIDS ALL HALF BLACK / AND IM OF HALF ITALIAN/ IRISH DESCENT BUT ALL AMERICAN :) THANK GOD THINGS (RACISM IS NOT AS BAD AS WHEN I WAS A KID BUT I HAD PARENTS THAT NEVER EVER USED THE N-WORD I HAD BLACK NEIGHBORS 2 FAMILY'S I PLAYED WITH THEIR DAUGHTER JUST LIKE I PLAYED WITH MY WHITE FRIENDS. I FOUND THIS VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE I HATE THAT ONE DAY WHEN MY GRANDKIDS GROW UP 3 OF THEM LOOK MORE LIKE THEIR BLACK HERITAGE AND IT BREAKS MY HEART WERE STILL A RACISTS COUNTRY WE DEFINITELY HAVE COME A LONG WAY BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO SADLY. I AM ALSO A CHRISTIAN GOD ISNT CONCERNED WITH WHAT COLOR RACE WE ARE HE CARES FOR THE CONDITION OF OUR HEARTS. I'M SORRY, YOUR BROTHER HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT AND YOU ALSO GO THROUGH THINGS FOR THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN ..GOD UNITES US BUT THE DEVIL IS BUSY STILL TRYING TO DIVIDE US ALL I PRAY FOR ENGLAND AMERICA THE WORLD TAKE A MINUTE DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. I WROTE ALL THIS TO SAY I THINK YOU ARE GORGEOUS THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO LET US LIVE IN YOUR SHOES VERY BRAVE . GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR BROTHER I PRAY GOD CONTINUES TO OPEN PEOPLES EYES TO THE STRUGGLES THAT BLACK PEOPLE STILL GO THOUGH. I WISH PEOPLE WE JUST SEE WE ARE ALL ONE RACE THE HUMAN RACE 😀

How are you living in London. What kinda visa you on?

America has a history of racism, not sure why it'd be different in other European countries where they ensured slavery happened?

Oh my God, girl. You are absolutely freakin gorgeous. If you're ever in Atlanta, PLEASE look me up. Sheesh. Lol

Go to Dominican Republic they love us, very nice and respect. They party til 8am!!

u should be a model is what you should be, the UK is mad when it comes to being "black" aint the same as the states thats for sure, most black people in the UK know exactly wat ship we came on sadly.. in fact we even have streets named after the fuckers.. so yeah its very different. dont be upset about it tho, i mean shit im light as daylight and they call me iceman lol in jam.

white british people ask us where we’re really from from too and it’s just as rude those are racists

Hi sweetheart your not black your a lovely person as we all are

Never experienced such behavior

I'm 41 born in london You got off lightly Lol that's all I'm saying 🤣 It's cool to act black it's not cool to be black

American men and American women have been loving foreigners for years, they've been doing this even before you were born that includes every person who makes a comment about your video but one more point African-American men have been loving Asian women, English women, Filipino women, Japanese women, French women, German women, etc, etc, etc and will continue to love them regardless what people think! take care and God bless

So interesting

Yes the question is asked of Black people here.

Over thinking to much.go with the flow baby girl.

South London is like the bronx, only posher,,

You’re the common denominator

Get out of London and see the real people of the U.K. The capital is the worst place to live in Britain

I’m from London (Born and raised) and I find it very strange and annoying when people stare at me! I get so many different people staring at me all the time! Sometimes groups of friends will just stop talking to each other just to stare at me! I’m not attention seeker! I mind my own business and I’m very quiet person so it really bother me because I don’t know why people just stare at me! It makes me question myself if I look different or strange or weird to a lot of people because the stares are constant and it’s not normal and doesn’t happen to anyone else I’m with or around!