This is a country where a recent prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, thought it hilarious to joke that Obama had a decent suntan. But anyone who has listened to Italian political debate, or worse, stood in an Italian football stadium, knows that Italy simply isn't a tolerant place. And other political parties have expressed solidarity with Kyenge. The Northern League is, admittedly, a minority party, usually gaining only between five and 10% of the national vote. Last week the AC Milan footballer, Kevin Constant, walked off the pitch after a barrage of abuse, just as Kevin-Prince Boateng did earlier this year. A Northern League senator has likened her to an orangutan. A (female) councillor for the Northern League has said she should be raped. Bananas have been thrown at Cécile Kyenge, Italy's first black government minister. T he events of the last few weeks have proved, beyond doubt, that Italy has a serious problem with racism.
