Italy: First Black Minister in Italy

Cecile Kyenge

Cecile Kyenge, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been appointed as a minister for integration by new Italian government. She is elected from the centre-left Democratic party (PD).

The appointment of first ever black minister was met with opposition from the rightwing Northern League as its secretary Matteo Salvini, described the 48-year-old Kyenge as "the symbol of a hypocritical, do-gooder left that would like to abolish the crime of illegal immigration and only thinks about immigrants' rights and not their duties". He said the League was ready to mount "total opposition" to her in parliament.

The AC Milan and Italy's national team striker, Mario Balotelli, described her appointment as "a further, big step towards a more civilised and responsible Italian society".

Kyenge said her top priorities would be changing Italy's citizenship laws, which are based on descent rather than place of birth.

"Anyone who is born and grows up in Italy is an Italian," she told Repubblica TV.

MyWord

Mr Matteo Salvini and his Northern League are crying foul; history has been written. The appointment will go a long way in redeeming the image of black woman in particular and black race in general as prostitutes in Italy and beyond.

Black woman in diaspora has great potentials other than prostitution. They are capable of engaging in politics, business and other ventures if given the opportunity to do so.

But its unfortunately so that in this part of the world except in United Kingdom, black graduates hardly have career opportunities due to racial stereotypes and prejudice.

Its a shame that even in this century people are still being judged by their colour rather than ability. The appointment of Kyenge has given me hope that there is future for black race in European society. There might be light at the end of the tunnel after all.

Racism is evil that does no one good. It leaves an indelible mark on the psyche of the perpetrators and their victims. In other words none escapes unscathed.

Those who feel that colour determines ones intelligence and capability should change such mind-set. We all deserve equal opportunities.

Mr Matteo Salvini and his so-called Northern League can cry blood for all I care. Something unthinkable has taken place and it's just the beginning.

I pray we don't have to wait till Armageddon to have a black minister here in Germany. Amen.