Italian Senator says black integration minister reminds him of an Orang Utan

[Tender Branson]

Italy racism row: Cecile Kyenge compared to orangutan

An Italian senator has been pressured into apologising after he said the country's first black cabinet minister reminded him of an orangutan.

Roberto Calderoli, from the anti-immigration Northern League, told a rally that the success of Integration Minister Cecile Kyenge encouraged "illegal immigrants" to come to Italy.

Ms Kyenge is an Italian citizen born in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is the latest in a series of rows over racism in Italy.

"I love animals - bears and wolves, as everyone knows - but when I see the pictures of Kyenge I cannot but think of, even if I'm not saying she is one, the features of an orangutan," Mr Calderoli said in a speech to a rally in the northern city of Treviso on Saturday.

He also said Ms Kyenge should be a minister "in her own country".

Mr Calderoli's words ignited a storm of criticism on social media and from political leaders.

Prime Minister Enrico Letta said the comments went "beyond all limits" and he offered "full solidarity and support to Cecile".





http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23310837

[Zanas]

Expect a +1 pt in polls for LN next week... (sigh...)

[Hash]

But remember guys, the far-right isn't racist - they just defend traditional values!

[Antonio the Sixth]

Well, it's Calderoli. He's not new at this game.

[DC Al Fine]

Anyone notice how some Europeans are little bit more open about their racism?

[You kip if you want to...]

Anyone notice how some Europeans are little bit more open about their racism?

Well, the populist-right like Lega Nord definitely.

[DC Al Fine]

Anyone notice how some Europeans are little bit more open about their racism?

Well, the populist-right like Lega Nord definitely.

It goes beyond that. Remember when Balotelli got monkey chants and banana peels thrown at him? I've never seen that at a hockey game

[Tender Branson]

Anyone notice how some Europeans are little bit more open about their racism?

Well, the populist-right like Lega Nord definitely.

It goes beyond that. Remember when Balotelli got monkey chants and banana peels thrown at him? I've never seen that at a hockey game

I agree with this.

In this regard, Italy is really odd.

And while Austria is often seen as racist and xenophobic by Forum users here, the black football player David Alaba has never been shouted at by crazy fans and compared to a monkey yet.

He even has high favorable ratings and often signs autographs for his "white 20-something male" Nazi (-> sarcasm)-fans ...

[Keystone Phil]

Well, he's a Lega Nord Senator so...

[minionofmidas]

Last I checked, orangutans have long red hair and a face vaguely like Calderoli's.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Yep, America is a downright racist country all right

[Leftbehind]

Italy having racists disproves America is racist, how?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yes, Italy is a racist sh*thole. I don't think anyone is denying it.


Anyway, the most disgusting thing about all this is that this pathetic excuse of a human being is currently vice president of the Senate thanks to the PD's support (likely as a part of the coalition deals with PdL).