Dr. Cecile Kyenge was appointed to serve as Italy’s Minister of Integration in April 2013, becoming the first person of African decent to serve as cabinet member in Italy’s government. Kyenge’s appointment, whose task as integration minister is to help advocate for often marginalized immigrants, was seen by many to be a sign of hope for the future of Italy’s immigrants. Others, however, have since revealed their prejudices against Dr. Kyenge.
While Kyenge fights for immigrant rights and works on changing laws to allow children born of legal immigrants to obtain citizenship more easily, she also has had to fight off the racist banter thrown against her. In one instance Senator Roberto Calderoli, deputy head of the Northern League in the Italian Senate, compared Kyenge to an orangutan saying, “I love animals—bears and wolves, as is known, but when I see the pictures of Kyenge, I cannot but think of the features of an orangutan, even if I'm not saying she is one."
The racial slurs have not stopped there, as she has endured racist and sexist slurs from members of the country's anti-immigration Lega Nord (Northern League) party, such as "Congolese monkey," or "member of a bonga-bonga government." Kyenge has also endured bananas being thrown at her and a rant from a female councillor for the Northern League, who said she should be raped. What has Dr. Cecile Kyenge’s response been to all of this? Patience.
Kyenge recently stated “I’m not afraid, and this reinforces my position even more,” she continued. "The insults and threats against me are because I'm in a visible position now, but they're really threats against anyone who resists racism, who resists violence."
Kyenge also commented that all politicians should "reflect on their use of communication," adding that words "carry weight" and that all ministers should be aware that they are "speaking on behalf of citizens and representing Italy."
Like Kyenge, immigrants in Italy have been fighting an uphill battle for years, struggling to be recognized and have equal rights. Italy has largely ignored immigrants, while other European nations have been working with them for decades. In 1990, foreigners made up only about 2 percent of Italy’s population, but immigrants flooded in as Italy became more open nation. Today, immigrants make up 7.5 percent of the population. Italian citizens, who only had to deal with the occasional foreigner for most of their lives, are now living among a thriving community of foreigners. Difficulty accustoming can be expected, but extreme racial slurs thrown against a member of your government cannot.
The racism in Italy raises many questions and warnings about all societies. Italy is a developed country, a world power, and one of the worlds most recognized and rejoiced nations; and yet extreme racism is still very visible in its government.
Video by JewishNewsOne.
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Video Wednesday: Racism in Italy
July 31, 2013
Dr. Cecile Kyenge was appointed to serve as Italy’s Minister of Integration in April 2013, becoming the first person of African decent to serve as cabinet member in Italy’s government. Kyenge’s appointment, whose task as integration minister is to help advocate for often marginalized immigrants, was seen by many to be a sign of hope for the future of Italy’s immigrants. Others, however, have since revealed their prejudices against Dr. Kyenge.
While Kyenge fights for immigrant rights and works on changing laws to allow children born of legal immigrants to obtain citizenship more easily, she also has had to fight off the racist banter thrown against her. In one instance Senator Roberto Calderoli, deputy head of the Northern League in the Italian Senate, compared Kyenge to an orangutan saying, “I love animals—bears and wolves, as is known, but when I see the pictures of Kyenge, I cannot but think of the features of an orangutan, even if I'm not saying she is one."
The racial slurs have not stopped there, as she has endured racist and sexist slurs from members of the country's anti-immigration Lega Nord (Northern League) party, such as "Congolese monkey," or "member of a bonga-bonga government." Kyenge has also endured bananas being thrown at her and a rant from a female councillor for the Northern League, who said she should be raped. What has Dr. Cecile Kyenge’s response been to all of this? Patience.
Kyenge recently stated “I’m not afraid, and this reinforces my position even more,” she continued. "The insults and threats against me are because I'm in a visible position now, but they're really threats against anyone who resists racism, who resists violence."
Kyenge also commented that all politicians should "reflect on their use of communication," adding that words "carry weight" and that all ministers should be aware that they are "speaking on behalf of citizens and representing Italy."
Like Kyenge, immigrants in Italy have been fighting an uphill battle for years, struggling to be recognized and have equal rights. Italy has largely ignored immigrants, while other European nations have been working with them for decades. In 1990, foreigners made up only about 2 percent of Italy’s population, but immigrants flooded in as Italy became more open nation. Today, immigrants make up 7.5 percent of the population. Italian citizens, who only had to deal with the occasional foreigner for most of their lives, are now living among a thriving community of foreigners. Difficulty accustoming can be expected, but extreme racial slurs thrown against a member of your government cannot.
The racism in Italy raises many questions and warnings about all societies. Italy is a developed country, a world power, and one of the worlds most recognized and rejoiced nations; and yet extreme racism is still very visible in its government.
Video by JewishNewsOne.
