Senior Italian senator Roberto Calderoli compares first black minister to orangutan

chamber · Jul 14, 2013

Since 49-year-old Dr. Cecile Kyenge, who was raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, became Italy's first black cabinet minister this April, she has endured racist and sexist slurs such as "Congolese monkey," or "member of a bonga bonga government." Both comments came from members of the country's anti-immigration Lega Nord (Northern League) party.

Right-wing leader Roberto Calderoli faces calls from Italian
cabinet to resign.

An Italian senator has sparked outrage after he compared the country’s first black government minister to an orang-utan, with Prime Minister Enrico Letta calling the comments “unacceptable” and “beyond every limit”.

Roberto Calderoli, vice president of the Senate and leader of the right-wing, anti-immigration Northern League party, was speaking at a political rally in northern Italy on Saturday.

Referring to the Immigration Minister Cecile Kyenge, Calderoli is reported by the Corriere della Sera newspaper as saying: “When I see images of Kyenge I cannot help think, even if I don't say that she is one, of a resemblance to an orang-utan.”

Kyenge is an eye surgeon with Italian citizenship but was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speaking about her political success, Calderoli said: “Perhaps she should do it in her own country.”

He was also quoted as saying she “makes so many clandestine migrants who come here dream” that they will find “America” in Italy.

Prime Minister Letta, who appointed Kyenge as a minister in April, said in a statement that the comments were unacceptable and that she had his “full solidarity and support”.

The Northern League isn't in power, but is the closest political ally of former Premier Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right party, which is Letta's main partner in the coalition government. There were calls for Calderoli to resign, including from one of Kyenge's fellow ministers, Gianpiero D'Alia.

And while Kyenge refused to call for the senator’s resignation herself, she said she hoped all politicians would “reflect on their use of communication”.

She told the Ansa news agency: “I do not take Calderoli's words as a personal insult but they sadden me because of the image they give of Italy.”

Kyenge has lived in Italy since 1983. She received death threats before a recent visit to the northern region that is Calderoli's party base, and a local politician was fired for suggesting on Facebook that someone should rape Kyenge so she “can understand what victims of atrocious crimes feel.” The League's leaders blame immigrants for violent crime in Italy.
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Bliss · Jul 14, 2013

Disgusting

chamber said: ↑

...Referring to the Immigration Minister Cecile Kyenge, Calderoli is reported by the Corriere della Sera newspaper as saying: “When I see images of Kyenge I cannot help think, even if I don't say that she is one, of a resemblance to an orang-utan.” ...

Kyenge is an eye surgeon with Italian citizenship but was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speaking about her political success, Calderoli said: “Perhaps she should do it in her own country.”

Kyenge has lived in Italy since 1983. She received death threats before a recent visit to the northern region that is Calderoli's party base, and a local politician was fired for suggesting on Facebook that someone should rape Kyenge so she “can understand what victims of atrocious crimes feel.” ....
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Despicable. Calderoli should not only be fired/resign, this is legally ethnic(racial) intimidation, IMO.

Horrible stain on Italy's Parliament. :vom:

Ches · Jul 14, 2013

He has no room to cast aspersions....

Soulthinker · Jul 15, 2013

The Northern League in Italy has been a problem in that country just like the Golden Dawn in Greece.

APPIAH · Jul 18, 2013

Italy is Eurotrash.

JamahlSharif · Jul 18, 2013

You sir...are no friggin George Clooney yourself #thepotcallingthekettle

orejon4 · Jul 18, 2013

APPIAH said: ↑

The League's leaders blame immigrants for violent crime in Italy.
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That's kind of rich. I guess he's never heard of the Cosa Nostra or the Camorra. Who does he think employs the relatively small share of immigrants engaged in crime? Wal-Mart?

Soulthinker · Jul 18, 2013

You got that right.

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Senior Italian senator Roberto Calderoli compares first black minister to orangutan

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Bliss Well-Known Member

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