Day 1 & 2 Travel days, U.S to Rio de Janero

Day 1 Mon. May 26

* Travel day Chicago to Rio de Janiero



Day 2 Tues. May 27

* Flight to Brazil
* 11:45 am Group Meets at baggage claim, and goes through customs
* 12:30 pm Group takes transportation from the international airport to hostel
* Hostel check-in: Edificio Jucati, Rua Tenente Marones de Gusmao, 85 Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro


Day 1 Flight

A bit apprehensive about leaving. What will happen. How will I get along with others? Will we be safe? I've never been gone out of the country for this long. I've never been to South America. Why did I do this? 12 hour flight, did I bring enough stuff? Will I sleep on the plane? All these questions. I should be happy, excited, not nervous and scared. This is way out of my comfort zone.

I got a ride with Nicole who had a friend that drove us to the airport. There we saw Vanessa and we went to the check-in and security together. Later we found the rest of the group. This is where we really became a trip. Slowly but surely our group began to collect and no we are boarding the plane from Chicago O'Hare to New York JFK. Then from there to São Palo to Rio de Janeiro.

I was inspected 3 times on the way to Rio.

In the security check at Chicago O'Hare I was stopped for a special inspection and they took everything out of my carry on and threw away my body lotion. They almost threw away my clinique bottle because it was. 0.4 oz past the bottle requirement. And I had to argue with management to keep my $15 bottle of face lotion.

The second time was when we went through customs. When the American security was not as thorough as the ones in São Palo. But what is worse there is a language barrier so now I cannot defend why I must keep my hair gel that they through away. I know in Brazil I wouldn't find hair gel strong enough to hold my kinky hair. Just like I wouldn't find lotion strong enough for my ashy skin. Which I have eczema which requires me to stay moisturized.

The 3rd time I was inspected was right in the middle of the gate passenger-way right before I boarded the plane to Rio de Janeiro. They must assume I'm a drug dealer because I'm the darkest one on the plane and why else would a Black girl like me be going to Brazil. Never mind none of my fellow classmates were pulled to the side. Teh same portal I went through and inspected was the same portal that my fellow White students were able to get past and sneak food and large bottles and everything with out effort. And here I am again the last to board the plane of my group because the man wants to go through my bag and inspect my shoes when I took them off. By then I knew I was being profiled.

Journal entry May 27, 2008
American Airlines Flight 777 From Sao Palo to Rio de Janeiro

“So I’ve been searched and seized 3 times before I’ve even reached my destination. I’ve had 3 items confiscated and I’m the only person that has gone through this on the flight. Yet the white boy in my group has been able to brig a backpack full of food. One kid brought in a half gallon of hard liquor and yet they didn’t have to throw it away but I’ve had to throw away my hair gel, shaving cream, and lotion. At first I was giving it the benefit of the doubt but after the last time when they were inspecting my shoes after I took them off I knew its because I’m Black.
It’s not only because I’m Black but I’m a dark skinned Black. One other Black girl is on the trip and she hasn’t had to go through any of this. They all think I’m the drug dealer not the grad student. I decided then to take a time out and sit in my assigned seat away from the group to cool out. And I listened to Mos Def song Mr. Nigga whre he was talking about “world nigga law” And how Black people in airports get searched and seized more than anyone else.
It’s true. This is why I usually dress up when I go on the airplane because if you look like a business person they don’t mess with you. And I decided to wear regular clothes because I’m with my school but I see it doesn’t matter. I need to do that to protect myself.
I realize now on this trip that I need to be careful because the world is looking at me differently and I have to make sure I’m safe.”


Article reference in relation to this experience:
The Fact of blackness by Frantz Fanon

Pics
Outside of Rio de Janeiro International Airport, Hostel Edificio Jucati

Music
Mos Def song Mr. Nigga