Damon Dominique Asserts You’re Already a Global Citizen

I discovered travel YouTuber Damon Dominique years ago and was instantly captivated by his charm and style. He meticulously researches his videos, balancing humor with authenticity. One moment he’s jesting about the quirks of French bureaucracy, and the next he’s discussing Dutch perspectives on psychedelic drugs. He seamlessly blends quotes from philosophers about materialism with personal anecdotes about connections made in underground raves in new cities. His fascination with the world and its diverse inhabitants is truly inspiring.

Recently, I’ve been diving into his latest book, You Are a Global Citizen (Hachette 2023). More of a guided journal than a conventional book, its design invites readers to engage with a pen and reflect on their lives.

The book is organized into 18 chapters covering themes like “Hometown,” “Love and Relationships,” and “Politics”—essentially the pillars that shape our identities. Each chapter features personal anecdotes from Damon and his thoughts on the topic, concluding with reflective questions for readers and space to jot down their responses.

For instance, in the “Family” chapter, he poses questions such as, “If you and your parents were the same age, would you be friends? What do you appreciate or dislike about your parents? What values do you share?” In the “Politics” chapter, he asks, “If you start dating someone and discover opposing political beliefs, how significant is this for your relationship’s future? Can you find common ground in other areas, or is this difference too substantial to overlook?”

Damon explains that these questions are designed to help readers understand their place in the world and consider how different their answers might be if they were from another part of the globe.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with Damon Dominique about his book, his journey as a traveler, and how his identity influences his experiences around the world. Here’s a snippet from our discussion.

Could you introduce yourself for those who may not be familiar with you?

I’m a travel YouTuber, capturing my outrageous adventures around the globe, and I aim to make my content as quirky and fun as possible. This is something the travel industry often lacks: a sense of humility and humor. While there’s plenty of talk about accessible and sustainable travel, I find that travel isn’t often portrayed as funny. I wanted to create a YouTube channel that showcases my travels, including dates and raves, focusing on aspects of travel that I’ve never seen represented before.

What led you to write a book?

Social media—coming from an influencer’s perspective—can feel like a relentless cycle of video production. Once you share one video, you’re immediately onto the next, as the system demands. While this freedom can be rewarding, it often feels never-ending. That’s why I’ve embarked on various projects, including developing French and Spanish language courses, creating a TV show pilot, and now writing this book.

Writing a book has always been a dream of mine, especially one that I would have found invaluable during my first study abroad experience. There was never a guidebook tailored for travelers like me. This book addresses all the questions I wished to explore, helping me expand my mindset as a traveler.

What are your hopes for how people will engage with the book?

I aspire for everyone to work through the book and recognize how they already represent their own cultures. I envision a dialogue where we can ask, “How would someone from Kenya respond to this question?” instead of just considering our own answers. This reflection can reveal different cultural perspectives, showing that you’re not bound to a single viewpoint based solely on where you come from.

For example, there are elements from around the globe that resonate with me and I’d like to incorporate into my life. Take Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration, for instance. I only learned about it after visiting Mexico and studying Spanish. I cherish how they honor those who have passed away each year. I connect with that tradition, but I wouldn’t have discovered it without engaging with diverse cultures.

I’m interested in the meaning behind your book's title. What does the term “global citizen” signify for you?

This is where my philosophical side comes into play. I find it fascinating that we’ve all largely accepted these established systems. We’re all human, yet we categorize ourselves with labels. On one hand, this is beneficial as it helps us connect with like-minded individuals. On the other hand, it remains just a label.

At our core, we are simply human, and then we layer on these labels. Sure, on paper, I’m American. But I now understand that being American is just another label, similar to gay, male, or YouTuber.

When I entered this world, I was just a being adopting human norms. Yet, I’m not merely adopting humanity as a whole; I’m aligning with a specific aspect of it—my nationality. I embrace the American experience, look up to pop culture figures, and my fellow Americans recognize names like Oprah, or the feud between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. We adopt these cultural markers through our national identity, but fundamentally, we are all just beings. The book might better be titled, “You Are a Global Creature.”

The essence of the book isn’t about becoming a global citizen; it’s about realizing that you already are one, and always have been. The complexities arise from current systems—governments, visas, passports—that complicate our lives. This is the core message I aim to convey.

In your chapter on Gender, you wrote, “In our journey to become global citizens, we must constantly remind ourselves of the origins of our current thought processes.” What are your thoughts on this?

When I travel with people from different countries, it’s often the small things that catch me off guard, as I tend to overlook them at home where everyone shares similar habits. For instance, during a trip to Tunisia with my ex, I found myself wondering, “Should I tip here? If so, how much?” I come from an American perspective that encourages tipping everyone, while he, being French, doesn’t have that practice. This highlights how differently we approach travel and how our anxieties can diverge.

Who do you envision as your ideal reader for this book? You mentioned it was written for your younger self at the start of your travel journey. Is that the audience you’re hoping will engage with it?

I hail from Indiana, a place where people often have a narrow perspective on life and fiercely defend it without exploring much beyond their borders. So, this book is particularly aimed at those individuals. However, I realize that this is a rather niche perspective.

I believe this book appeals to anyone curious about travel. Firstly, it encourages you to discover how you embody your culture. Secondly, it invites you to travel, embrace new ideas, and replace those that don't resonate with alternatives from different cultures.

For instance, the French are known for their critical thinking and their depth in the arts and cuisine. I began to wonder, “What accounts for this? Why don't Americans share this expertise?” Upon examining their education system, I found that philosophy, which fosters critical thinking, is a mandatory subject. In contrast, American students often prioritize sports and entertainment over such subjects, culminating in events like the Super Bowl where we obsess over sports.

This may seem like a stretch, but it undoubtedly has some influence at least.

I'd love to learn more about your personal journey as a traveler. How did it all begin for you? Was there a specific moment that made you realize, “Yes, this is the path I want to pursue”?

I've always had a passion for languages. From an early age, particularly in eighth grade, when we had to choose between French and Spanish, I found myself genuinely excited about school for the first time.

At 16, I studied abroad in Barcelona. I worked in a coffee shop, saving every penny I could, and with a bit of financial help from my parents, I spent two months alone living with a host family while attending Spanish school five days a week.

During my stay with the family, I had two French roommates, and it amazed me how my life had unfolded. Here I was, an American in Spain, sporting my plaid Bermuda shorts, looking very much like someone from Indiana. Yet, I was immersed in Spanish, surrounded by two French girls, enveloped in languages, travel, and a sense of freedom. Perhaps that’s why travel resonates with me so much—it embodies freedom.

A recurring theme in your book is the exploration of identity and travel. I'm curious how your diverse identities have shaped your travel experiences and how others perceive you in different contexts.

In terms of identities, I would categorize myself as white, gay, American, male, and a YouTuber. Those are the primary labels that define me.

Addressing the aspect of being gay, it's crucial for me to travel and demonstrate that, in most cases, people simply don't care. We often hear about the negative experiences, but from my perspective, I want to showcase that my interactions in various countries have been overwhelmingly positive.

I believe it's essential to shine a light on the positive experiences around the globe, rather than focusing solely on the negative ones.

This might be a contentious opinion, but I understand that some choose not to visit countries due to their governments' oppressive nature. I see it differently; I believe there are many people beyond the government. My intention is to connect with the locals, rather than to support or oppose the regime.

I've noticed that you reference numerous philosophers in your book and videos. I'm curious about your thoughts on philosophy and how it intertwines with your travel experiences.

I only discovered philosophy at 27; prior to that, I wasn't even aware of its existence. It's been a recent awakening for me. Travel is about exploring the world outside, while philosophy allows for exploration of our inner thoughts. I love venturing into the external world, and now I'm eager to delve into the internal realm.