Close to a year ago, I had made my decision to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. Partly, the reason was that it was the most popular program for a Film major at my home institution. I figured why not travel to Copenhagen. I had no prior knowledge about the country beside it’s regarded by several studies as the happiest country in the world. I liked that it was a popular destination in the UK or Italy for an experience. It wasn’t until later that I researched the country’s stereotypes and demographics that was aware that I was to be a minority on a larger scale. I immediately steeled myself to seeing only white faces around me and being seen as an anomaly by the Danes.
I’m glad to say I overestimated how homogenous the society is actually. In reality, the city center is fairly homogenous and a lot of sentiments I’ve observed from Danes is fairly that of a history of sameness and a difficulty dealing with a growing heterogeneous society. Controversially, this growth in heterogeneity came from opening the borders to refugees and Syria. (Talk about that more) Consciously or Unconsciously, the majority of these minorities I have observed/ recognized live in the neighborhood of Norrebro, which many Danes considered the “ghetto”. The definition of the “ghetto” may be different for each Dane, but generally the Danes I have spoken to consider it the “dirty, unsafe, and undesirable” place of residence.
I want to explore how blackness is treated in a seemingly homogenous society and the consumption of African American content. Right now, I’m hesitant to make any more assumptions, but it’s been interesting so far. I can’t wait to educate myself some more.
