Racism In Vienna, Austria: A Troubling Reality?

Vienna, Austria, is a place with a history of racial discrimination. While some claim that the city is safe and welcoming to people of all backgrounds, others have shared experiences of racism, prejudice, and microaggressions. The country has a predominantly White population, and people of colour, particularly Black individuals, may face challenges due to ignorance, stereotypes, and a lack of cultural understanding. There are reports of both subtle and explicit forms of racism, ranging from suspicious looks and unsolicited touching of hair to the use of racial slurs and offensive gestures. However, it is important to note that Vienna also has a diverse community, and many residents actively work to foster inclusivity and educate others about racial issues.

A Black woman's experience of living in Vienna

I had been warned about the racism in Austria, but I was still unprepared for the reality of living in Vienna as a Black woman. I had spent four years at an HBCU, a safe space for Black folks, so I knew I would experience culture shock. I knew Austria would be ignorant about the plight of Black people, and I was ready to educate. I knew I wouldn't find hair care products or soul food seasonings in the stores. But I was not prepared for the looks of disgust, the suspicion in stores, and the constant microaggressions.

The First Signs

I knew I would be one of very few Black people in Austria. In a country of nine million people, only around 40,000 are Black. But I was still shocked by the lack of diversity in Vienna. I would walk down the street and see only a handful of other Black people. I would smile or nod at them, but they would just stare back coldly. I felt so alone.

Direct Racism

I experienced my first form of direct racism just a few weeks after arriving. Someone leaned out of their car and yelled a racial slur at me and my friend, before speeding off. I laughed because I thought it was comical; racism is so inescapable that it's laughable. But I knew there would be more moments like this.

Microaggressions

I dealt with small amounts of racism, stereotypes, and microaggressions constantly. People would ask me to do the rapping part of a karaoke song because "it's second nature to you, right?". I was met with suspicion in stores until they heard my American accent. Austrians would tell me, "We're not racist, we never had segregation," as if blackface wasn't part of their tradition.

When I had braids, people would touch my hair without asking and make comments and ask intrusive questions. I wanted to write a leaflet titled "All you need to know about my new hairstyle" to hand out to my colleagues. The defensive arguments were worse: "Why can't I compliment your hair if it looks nice?".

A Support System

I felt so alone and began to retreat, spending days in my bedroom talking to loved ones back home. But then I found my community. I met other teaching assistants (TAs) living in a foreign country and dealing with homesickness. We played volleyball, hosted dinners, and travelled across Europe together. I found a safe space in a local Irish pub, where I became a regular and made friends with the bartenders. I found a support system, and it helped me to feel grounded and brave again.

Final Thoughts

Living in Vienna as a Black woman was a challenging experience. I felt isolated and targeted by microaggressions and direct racism. But I also found a supportive community of friends and a safe space in a local pub. While Austria has a long way to go in addressing racism and discrimination, I was able to find moments of joy and connection.

People of colour's experiences of racism in Vienna

Vienna, Austria, is a city with a population of around nine million people, of which only about 40,000 are Black. This makes it a predominantly White city, and one that a Black person living there describes as "inherently White".

Microaggressions and Stereotypes

People of colour in Vienna have reported experiencing microaggressions and stereotypes, such as being followed around in stores, and being asked to do the rapping part of a karaoke song because "it's second nature". One Black woman recounts how she was met with suspicion in stores until people heard her American accent while speaking German. She also mentions the Austrian tradition of children dressing up in blackface on Epiphany, which many Austrians do not see as offensive or problematic.

Hair

Hair is a big topic when it comes to the experiences of People of Colour in Vienna. A Black woman writes about how people would touch her braids without asking for permission, make comments, and ask questions. She also mentions the lack of hair care products for textured hair in drug stores, and the difficulty of finding a hair braider.

Racial Slurs

There are also reports of people of colour being subjected to racial slurs, such as being called the N-word, and having the Nazi salute thrown at them.

Lack of Diversity

Vienna is described as lacking diversity, with one person of colour saying they probably see a Black person once a month on average. This lack of diversity can lead to feelings of isolation and otherness, as well as curiosity from Austrians, which can come across as rude or racist.

Positive Experiences

However, it is important to note that not all experiences of people of colour in Vienna are negative. Some report feeling safe in the city, and mention the presence of a considerable part of the population that is against any sort of discrimination. There are also communities and support systems for people of colour, such as the USTA program network, which provides opportunities for social connections and cultural exchange.

Overall, while Vienna may not be a hotbed of racism, there are certainly experiences of microaggressions, stereotypes, and racial slurs that people of colour in the city have to navigate. It is also important to note that these experiences may vary depending on the district and the company kept.

Vienna's history of Blackface

Beyond this specific incident, there have been reports of blackface being used in Austrian media and entertainment. In 2013, white actor Joel Legendre performed in blackface during a satirical year-end production, "Bye Bye 2013," parodying a black entertainer. This sparked criticism and debates about the appropriateness of such depictions.

Additionally, blackface has been a recurring issue in Austrian schools and universities. In 2011, students at HEC Montreal caused controversy when they used blackface to pay tribute to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt during Frosh Week. The incident gained national attention and sparked discussions about cultural sensitivity and the impact of such depictions.

While these incidents demonstrate a history of blackface in Vienna and Austria, it's important to note that public opinion on blackface has evolved. There is a growing recognition of the harmful and offensive nature of blackface, and efforts are being made to address and eradicate its use. However, the presence of blackface in Austrian society highlights the need for continued dialogue and education on racial issues.

Overall, Vienna's history of blackface is complex and multifaceted, reflecting broader societal issues and attitudes towards race and cultural appropriation. While there have been efforts to address and eradicate its use, the presence of blackface in Austrian society underscores the ongoing need for dialogue, education, and progress towards racial equality.

Austria's anti-discrimination legislation

Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights prohibits discrimination based on personal characteristics such as sex, race, colour, national or social origin, religion, language or opinion. The principle of equal treatment is established in the Austrian Constitution.

The Austrian Equal Treatment Act (Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, GlBG) implements the requirements of European law and covers direct and indirect discrimination. Discrimination includes instructions by a person to discriminate. The GlBG covers employment relations under civil law.

The Federal Equal Treatment Act (Bundes-Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, B-GlBG) applies to civil servants and employees of public authorities and state-affiliated companies.

The Disabled Persons Employment Act (Behinderteneinstellungsgesetz, BEinstG) contains separate regulations for employees with disabilities.

Provincial equal treatment laws regulate the employment relationships of provincial and municipal employees.

The Equal Treatment Commission (Gleichbehandlungskommission) issues expert opinions on whether discrimination has occurred and advises on measures to end it.

In addition to legislative measures, Austria also takes non-legislative measures, particularly in the field of education, training and awareness-raising.

Xenophobia in Austria

Austria has taken several concrete measures to address xenophobia and promote equal treatment for all its residents. The Austrian Constitution enshrines the principle of equal treatment, and the country has adopted comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that is constantly being improved. In recent years, protection against discrimination and hate crimes under criminal law has been strengthened. Additionally, Austria actively participates in international efforts to combat racism and xenophobia and has committed to implementing the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Despite these efforts, xenophobia remains a concern in Austria. A study found that various degrees of tolerance towards foreigners were correlated with factors such as age, gender, urban or rural residence, the foreign population in the province, and socioeconomic status. Younger, male, urban residents with higher socioeconomic status and living in provinces with a high foreign population tended to be more tolerant. However, stepping up the integration of foreigners and supporting the education of immigrant children were supported by only a minority of Austrians, according to the study.

Personal accounts from people of colour, particularly Black individuals, living in Austria provide insight into the lived experience of xenophobia in the country. Several individuals have shared their stories of encountering racism and microaggressions in their daily lives, including being followed in stores, having their hair touched without permission, and experiencing suspicious or unfriendly behaviour from locals. Some have also noted the lack of diversity in certain areas, with very few people of colour in their communities. These experiences highlight the challenges that people of colour may face in Austria due to xenophobic attitudes.

Overall, while Austria has made progress in combating xenophobia and promoting equality, there is still work to be done to address the issue comprehensively. The country's commitment to taking concrete measures, participating in international efforts, and improving legislation gives hope for a more inclusive future. However, changing deep-seated attitudes and behaviours among certain segments of the population remains a challenge that requires continued focus and action.

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