Italy's first black minister, Cecile Kyenge, has been a target of regular racist insults since her appointment in April, especially as she has made the issue of immigration reform in Italy one of her pet projects. Fellow politicians, who are anti-immigration, have called her an orangutan or said that she needs to be raped to understand the scourge of crime that immigrants bring into the country.
Both parliamentarians drew widespread outrage and one of them resigned. But the insults and attacks on Cecile Kyenge have not abated. While she was speaking on stage at a party rally, bananas were thrown at her by a vexed spectator. Luckily, the bananas did not hit her. Still.
The right-wing Forza Nuova group, which campaigns against the minister's plans, had earlier left mannequins covered in fake blood at the site of a party rally which Kyenge attended, to protest her proposal to make anyone born on Italian soil a citizen. "Immigration kills," was written on leaflets accompanying the dummies - a slogan Forza Nuova has previously used when referring to murders committed by immigrants in Italy.
It's strange how Italy is one of the most racist countries in Europe and yet have the highest statistics of human trafficticking of black women for prostitution. There are also very high crime rates, and only a small percentage of such crimes can actually be traced back to immigrants.
The new integration minister, who is the only black woman on the cabinet, was born in Democratic Republic of Congo, but has lived in Italy for decades. She aims to correct some of the anomalies caused by trafficking via her campaign to make it easier for immigrants to gain Italian citizenship.
Kyenge has responded to the banana-throwing gesture on Twitter, calling it "sad" and a waste of food, considering the economic crisis. "The courage and optimism to change things has to come above all from the bottom up to reach the institutions," she added.
RML wishes her more strength and courage, and success in her efforts.
H/T HuffPo
Hi Myne thank you for bringing this to light. I wish her success as she lead change and reformation. May God give her the strength and the grace to go forward with her mandate and see it come to fruition. I also ask for God's protection and covering over her and to keep her safe from harm and danger. May every arrow of hatred and anger be bent backward and sent back to their place of origin. God bless her.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I hear stories about this lady tears come to my eyes. I feel so bad for, I hope God gives her the strength to persevere the persecution that she face daily. May her family and friends give her the support and love she requires in these trying times.
ReplyDeleteWaste of food.LOL
ReplyDeleteItaly, no surprises!
ReplyDeleteWhen breaking new frontiers, challenges will abound. She is a pioneer opening doors and shattering glass ceilings. Her strength and quiet courage in the face of such dire opposition will encourage more like her and very soon, the face of the black race in Italy will change from being either a footballer or criminal immigrant to being a school administrator, captain of industry, politician or whatever. The sad thing is just the ignorance and baseless hate. I, however, take comfort in the fact that ignorance does not stop change, it may just delay it. The change has started and more strength to her
ReplyDelete