Dr. Cecile Kyenge, an Italian citizen born of parents from the Democratic Republic of Congo made history as the first African to become a cabinet member in Italy on April 27, a historic development which however has seen a string of gross racist attacks following her appointment.
Cecile Kyenge who is now Italys new integration minister, has said the country is not particularly racist despite receiving a string of continuous racist and sexist insults since becoming one of seven women in the new government.
The 49-year-old eye doctor said she believes hostile attitudes stem mainly from ignorance: I am not colored, Im black. It is important to say that, I emphasize it proudly.
We need to break down these walls. If you dont know someone, skepticism increases, discrimination increases. Immigration is a richness. Differences are a resource.
The minister has received taunts from far-right websites that branded her; Zulu, Congolese monkey and the black anti-Italian.