Being Afro-Austrian

von Salisu Abdallah

What does it mean “Being Afro-Austrian“ in every day life?
Here is a critical survey viewing the situation of black people in Austria. Having given a short abstract of historical facts and connections between Europeans and the so-called black continent, the author describes the problems concerning Africans living in European societies, specifically analysing those in Austria. He resorts to surveys conducted in different Austrian institutions thus conveying an actual picture which renders little grounds for optimism. Astonishingly deep-rooted prejudices in European
for this matter, Austrian thinking on one side, but also despondency and drawing back into a restricted life on part of the African people, seem to build the obstacles making integration so difficult.
All things considered, this survey wants to contribute to finding a way out of the old clichés and to develop a modern multi-cultural society.