UK tourist alleges racism in Bulgaria
A British tourist who holidayed in Varna says that she was the target of racist behaviour.
Aisha J.Bingham's story appeared in the UK's Colourful Radio's morning show. Bingham, aged 25, who works in London as a local government officer, arrived in Varna on August 13 with her 20-year-old sister Fayola and rented a villa near the city. They were later joined by Bingham's 14-year-old brother, Omar. This was their first visit to Bulgaria, made at the recommendation of a Bulgarian friend.
On the day following their arrival, Aisham said, people were leaning out of their cars and barking like dogs at them.
"We were getting the looks, the stares and the scornful glances," Aisham told Colourful Radio.
"We hadn't seen any black people at all, so we thought maybe it's just that they haven't encountered black people and were unsure of how to treat us or curious about what we look like." On August 18 things got worse, Aisham said.
The Binghams were having lunch at a seaside restaurant when a man in his late 20s approached them and started insulting them, shouting at them in fluent English: "what the f... are you doing here? You don't belong in Europe. Get the f... out of my country. I f...... hate you. You're a f...... nigger."
What surprised Aisham even more was that "nobody in the restaurant got up to help me. Nobody in the restaurant said anything to the man. I was so shocked and embarrassed". She asked people in the restaurant for help but no one responded, she says. After some time, a waitress came up to her and told her "not to worry, it's the tradition, that's what the people do".
Immediately after the incident, Aisham and her family went straight to the villa and tried to contact the police but found no one who spoke English. They then called the British embassy in Sofia but were told, they say, that there was nothing that the embassy could do apart from call a lawyer or interpreter to assist with communication. Aisha told Colourful Radio that she had not left the villa since the August 18 incident, and only made occasional trips to the supermarket to buy food during daylight hours because she was too afraid to leave the villa. Her flight back to the UK was scheduled for August 31 and because she could not afford an earlier flight, she had to wait till then.
How are you feeling after the incidents?
Although I have gotten over the initial shock of what occurred on August 18, I am still extremely angry and hurt that in the year 2006, black people are still being treated as outcasts.
I am still in Varna and although I went out yesterday after more than five days indoors, I still feel very apprehensive and unwelcome.
Can you say that there is a generally hostile attitude among Bulgarians towards black people?
I sincerely believe that many Bulgarians are racists, this is not just because of the two incidents that have occurred. I also cannot ignore the scornful stares and giggles we receive each time we step out the door. Nor can I ignore the statement made by a Bulgarian waitress who was in the restaurant when the man assaulted me that "it is tradition"; that little statement summed it up for me, she would not have made that statement without some knowledge of the fact that this seems to be the general consensus of Bulgarians.
Gareth Roberts, a spokesperson at the British embassy in Bulgaria, answering a question from Black Britain - a subsidiary of Colourful Radio - said "racism is not something we have come across in Bulgaria" and "from our side of things, this is the first consular case related to racial abuse that we have been made aware of. We haven't been involved in any similar cases involving black British nationals".
Could you assume that your experience is an isolated case?
I would assume no such thing. Perhaps I am the only person who has brought it to their attention but then you must ask yourself what percentage of black people actually visit your country each year, if any, and then find out from them how they felt? It is unfair to say that this is an isolated incident since this is not just one incident but three, plus the unwelcome stares. Let me emphasise that I felt forced to bring this to light because of the amount of separate incidents that have taken place.
Do you think to take any other actions, besides the media coverage, once you go back to UK?
Absolutely! Media coverage is the best form of exposure but not just with Colourful Radio, I am certainly going to get bigger media outlets aware of what I have been through if possible. The more I expose countries such as this of the racial hatred that exists, the quicker people are more inclined to do something about it.
Would you recommend to other people to avoid Bulgaria because of such incidents?
Definitely, consider it done! I would not recommend anybody, black or white, to come to this country, and the word is already out! I see no need for anyone of an ethnic background to stay and associate with people who outwardly hate another human being.
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Originally Posted by morski
United Kingdom
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