Black in China

Hi everyone!
In case you didn't know, I am a black person. I am very confident in my skin and proud of my heritage. Before I left for China, I had heard a lot of warnings of the weird things that would happen to me because I am a rare sight. As far as my experience goes, some things were accurate and others were false.

Stares - True/False
People definitely stared at my group but it was mostly because we were disturbing their daily pattern. A group of 30+ is naturally very distracting. In Shanghai, people barely looked my way. Only small children would stare and smile at me. One girl ran to her dad so that he could see the spectacle which is my existence. In Xiamen, I got way more stares and usually I just smile and wave at them. Most people smile and wave back; some break their stare.


Pictures-True!! So true!
As soon as I got off the bus in Xiamen University, a group of girls ran up to me and asked to take pictures with me-just laughing and giggling all the way. I was walking through the park with my group and people ran up to me to pose with me and take pictures every couple seconds. I like that they come and take pictures with me; they are openly expressing their admiration for diversity and exotic people, rather than being afraid of me or avoiding me. When people greet you like that, it makes you want to return; it feels good.


Racism-N/A
I haven't experienced any blatant racism, everyone has been really nice and friendly towards me. They're too curious to be racists; they're just very open and sweet and love to take pictures with foreigners. No has asked me if I'm from Africa yet, but if they do I will simply reply with 我是一个非洲公主 (I'm an African princess).