Do Melanated People Go to the Polar Regions?!

“Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be”

― James Baldwin

Black travel to the polar regions is steadily increasing as more travelers of African descent seek experiences that go beyond traditional narratives of leisure and luxury and into spaces of awe, education, and personal expansion. This growth is fueled by greater visibility—Black scientists, photographers, travel writers, and everyday explorers sharing their polar journeys and reshaping perceptions of who explores extreme environments. Social media, culturally grounded tour operators, and a broader reclaiming of global curiosity have helped dismantle the myth that cold, remote places are “not for us.” This movement matters because representation in these spaces affirms a powerful truth: Black people are not confined to histories of survival alone, but are also heirs to wonder, discovery, and the full geography of the planet. Traveling to the polar regions becomes more than a trip—it is a statement of belonging, legacy, and the freedom to be present anywhere on Earth. So when the question is posed - “Do MELANATED people go to the Polar Regions?!” - You can be sure to answer with a resounding “YES!! We, Outside!!!