You read because you want to be moved, feel something, be inspired or learn something new. Afropean is a book about understanding the lived experience of Europe’s black communities. No doubt this book will move you in ways that will get you to think more about you and how similar or different your lived experience is wherever you may be in the world.
Johny Pitts is writer, photographer and broadcast journalist, born and raised in a low middle income home in Sheffield, England. His father is African-American and mother is White English. After breaking up with his girlfriend he moved back temporarily from London to Sheffield before embarking on his budget backpacking trip to Europe.
What I find most interesting about his journey is that he was in his 30s when he first decided to do this trip. Unlike upper middle income kids on their gap year or post uni backpacking around Europe, he had spent years saving money and even then had to max out his credit cards to fund his 5 month trip. One which was spent not living the delights of some of its famous spots and sceneries but spent on a budget living and experiencing the lives of those communities living on the fringe.
Johny takes us with him on this journey through Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Stockholm, Moscow, Rome, Marseille and Gibraltar. Interspersed with meticulous social and detailed historical knowledge, he infuses his personal experiences of the trip with those that he meets sharing their deeply rich experiences giving them a voice.
One of the most fascinating stories that Johny writes about is on Alexander Pushkin’s heritage. Alexander Pushkin was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist of the Romantic era. He is considered by many to be the greatest Russian poets and the founder of modern Russian literature. A Russian, his great grandfather was Abram Gannibal who was a son of a Prince from what is today the border between Chad and Cameroon. His story in itself is one of brilliance and excellence of the human mind and character. One of his sons would go on to become a General in the Tsar’s Army (incredible considering the attitudes towards people of African origin during the colonial period) and later one of his descendants would marry into British Royalty!
In my own ignorance, this story reminded me of the great work of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges who was a French classical composer, virtuoso violinist, a conductor of the leading symphony orchestra in Paris (as well as being a renowned champion fencer!) There are likely many, many more great artists who have African heritage that have influenced European culture directly that have simply been forgotten about or had their influence removed.
The way Johny weaves the story of Alexander Pushkin, through to the Soviet era when those of African heritage saw even briefly an attempt to reduce the racial gap and now when being a man or woman of colour in Russia might find you targeted directly physically and in some occasions brutally.
It is incredible to see that in Europe today so much is forgotten about notable individuals such as Pushkin, their heritage and contribution to European art and culture. Johny brings contemporary life stories and frames them eloquently within the context of the past.
One of the most tragic dots that connect all the stories of the African diaspora living in various parts of European cities, is how similar their backgrounds are and the contempt and most challenging conditions they find themselves living in. From the Senegalese living in the Banlieues of Paris to the Freedom fighters of the ANC living a solitary existence in Stockholm. All share deprived and wretched conditions they live in even though after a generation of migrants has come most continue unable to be treated as citizens of their home state and face daily challenges trying to make economic and social progress.
From encounters with people on the train who openly demonstrated their hatred of ‘foreynjers’ [I won't go into details here but you must really read the chapter ‘Rinkeby Swedish’] for anyone not aware of the deeply embedded racism within European society Johny’s travels and book is truly revealing of a european society with two halves.
If you love travel, journaling or immersing yourself in real life stories you must read this book. Johny curates an online journal Afropean.com and contributes to The Guardian, the New Statesman and The New York Times. Be sure to check out his continuing work!
How about grabbing this book wherever you might be and take an incredible journey through Europe that many of us will never get to see or experience. It will forsure change the way you see Paris or Rome the next time you fly for a getaway vacation.
Have you read Afropean or any other travel/photography books? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
You can grab a copy of the book here