Sign in | Log in

Beware the Boomerang

Beware the Boomerang

George De Stefano (July 9, 2009)
Photo by Marco Delogu

Italian activists confront racism and homophobia

Tools

 

Bigots, whether as individuals or as political actors, tend to hate immigrants and queers. They see the former – especially if racially different -- as invaders bringing contagion, whether symbolic, in the sense of “inferior” foreign cultures, or literal, i.e., infectious disease. Sexual minorities are seen as an internal menace, a moral infection that undermines “traditional” values and social structures. Check the political platform of any right-wing political party or formation and you’ll see the “gemellaggio” – twinning— of homophobia and nativism.

 

This equation doesn’t always hold. Two (deceased) politicos, Jorg Haider of Austria and the Netherlands’ Pim Fortuyn, were gay men who led right-wing, anti-immigrant political parties. And members of racial, ethnic and religious minorities certainly can be homophobic. African Americans in California supported Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage ballot initiative, and in Europe, Muslim groups that denounce “Islamophobia” often are vociferously anti-gay.

 

But in general, the proposition, scratch a racist and find a homophobe (and vice versa), is pretty reliable, especially in politics.

 

In Italy, anti-racist and gay activists are now approaching these issues as one. Last month, ARCI  -- Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana, a national association of social and cultural groups formed in 1957 under the auspices of the Italian Communist Party -- launched its campaign, “Racism is a Boomerang,” with a press conference at the Italian parliament.

 

“Racism, and the many ways in which it is manifested, represent a danger not only for those who experience its consequences, but also for democracy, because only by defending the rights of all is it possbile to guarantee the rights of everyone,” stated the ARCI press release.

 

“This is why we call it a boomerang, whose dramatic effects are destined sooner or later to strike also those who promote and practice it.”

 

A poster from the campaign illustrates the theme. It features a photo of a bald black man and a grey-haired woman, looking directly at the viewer. The text between them states, “You call us filthy black man and disgusting lesbian. But  you’re offended if someone calls you an Italian mafioso.” The tagline reads, “Racism is a boomerang. Sooner or later it comes back to you.”

 

The man and woman in the ad aren’t just any black man or lesbian. They are Jean- Léonard Touadi, the African-born and only black member of the Italian parliament, elected from the Italia dei valori (Italy of Values) party, and Anna Paola Concia, a lesbian activist elected last year from the Partito democratico (Democratic Party).

 

The ARCI campaign, by linking two distinct forms of prejudice, might seem simplistic.Though both are common to the political Right, racism and homophobia have different social and psychological roots, and they manifest themsleves in different ways. But in an Italian context, the link makes sense. The term “razzismo” is often used in Italy to describe not only racial prejudice but other kinds of bigotry and discrimination – against gays, women, Sicilians and other southern Italians. More specific terminology, like “omofobico” (homophobic) and “sessista” (sexist) may be used, but in my experience, far less often than “razzista.”

 

To non-Italians, the comparison between racial and anti-gay prejudice and the stereotyping of Italians as mafiosi might seem a stretch. But for many Italians, the enduring association of their nationality with organized crime definitely rankles, and for them constitutes a form of “razzismo.”   

 

ARCI says that the “Boomerang” posters will appear all over Italy. I’ve read media accounts and have received reports from friends in Rome who have seen the posters there, including near the Termini transportation hub. The neighborhoods near Termini have high concentrations of both immigrants and gays. But the broader visibility that would come from the posters appearing nationwide, and in such critical venues as schools and other public institutions, seems unlikely in today’s Italy, governed by the anti-immigrant, racist, and anti-gay Right.

 

Still, I can only commend ARCI for trying to raise consciousness about racism and homophobia, which, though different forms of intolerance, are both toxic, for their victims and for a democratic society.

 

Arcigay, Italy’s national gay rights organization affiliated with ARCI, has issued a new report, “La Montagna e La Catena - Essere Migranti Omosessuali Oggi In Italia” (The Mountain and the Chain: Being Gay Immigrants in Today’s Italy). The 41-page document draws its conclusions mainly from interviews conducted with gay and lesbian immigrants in Italy. The findings are organized around 12 themes, which include the immigrants’ experience of being gay in their countries of origin and in Italy, their relations with their communities of origin, their participation in Italian gay life, their access to health and social services, and their experiences of being in same-sex relationships with native Italians. 

 

The report noted that public and non-governmental services for immigrants, a new phenomenon in Italy, aren’t responsive to the needs of non-heterosexual newcomers, and that the information, counseling, and support services provided by Italian gay organizations often presume a “Western” model of sexual identity that non-Western immigrants might not accept.

 

Some respondents said that although they felt there was a “double stigma” attached to being both foreign and gay in Italy, the former condition presented more problems because racial and ethnic difference is more difficult to hide than sexual identity. For these immigrants, it’s easier to be gay in Italy than in their countries of origin. An Iranian man told the Arcigay researchers, “I come from a country where I cannot exist…here at least I’m not afraid to live.”

 

But a Peruvian, when asked which people had more difficulty accepting homosexuality, Italians or his co-nationals, replied, “The Italians,” because of “the Pope” and their purported greater adherence to Church teachings. “We Peruvians are Catholic, too,” he said. “But we understand. We understand.”

 


Visit Arcigay on the web to download the report,
La Montagna e La Catena - Essere Migranti Omosessuali Oggi In Italia” and other materials developed by Aricay’s Immigration and Homosexuality project.

 

Click here to view the “Racism is a Boomerang” campaign

 



 

DISCLAIMER: Posts published in i-Italy are intended to stimulate a debate in the Italian and Italian-American Community and sometimes deal with controversial issues. The Editors are not responsible for, nor necessarily in agreement with the views presented by individual contributors.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - RIPRODUZIONE VIETATA.
This work may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior written permission.
Questo lavoro non può essere riprodotto, in tutto o in parte, senza permesso scritto.

respond

Following my own monitoring, thousands of persons all over the world get the mortgage loans at good banks. Thence, there is a good possibility to receive a short term loan in any country.

answer

The loan suppose to be useful for people, which want to start their own company. By the way, it is not really hard to receive a collateral loan.

chanel purses chanel

chanel purses chanel outlet vintage chanel chanel wallets shop chanel chanel sale chanel online authentic chanel handbags cheap chanel buy chanel chanel website chanel prices chanel handbags louis vuitton handbags

Nike Air Max 90

Air Max 90 Nike Air Max 90 Nike Shox Nike Air Max Air Max

Digital Thermometer Infrared Thermometer Ear Thermometer Blood Pressure Monitor Blood Pressure Monitors Alcohol Tester

Air Max 90 Nike Air Max 90 Nike Shox Nike Air Max Air Max

ED Hardy ED Hardy Clothing Christian Audigier

Chanel Handbags Coach Handbags Louis Vuitton Handbags

Air Max 90 pas cher Nike pas cher Nike Shox Pas cher

Nike Air Max Air Max 90 Air Max 90 pas cher Nike Shox

Nike pas cher Air Max pas cher Air Max 90 pas cher iphone 4 case iphone case iphone 3GS case iphone 4 cases

answer this topic

Houses and cars are not cheap and not every person can buy it. But, loans was created to support people in such kind of hard situations.

http://www.21cnstock.com

cheap clothes online http://www.21cnstock.com online shopping clothes http://www.21cnstock.com cheap clothing sale http://www.21cnstock.com cheap brand clothes http://www.21cnstock.com discount online clothes http://www.21cnstock.com a&f clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-2-b0-AF.html a&f outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-2-b0-AF.html a&f shop http://www.21cnstock.com/category-2-b0-AF.html A&F online http://www.21cnstock.com/category-2-b0-AF.html A&F Sale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-2-b0-AF.html cheap Armani clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-3-b0-Armani.html armani exchange clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-3-b0-Armani.html armani mens clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-3-b0-Armani.html Boss Clothes http://www.21cnstock.com/category-4-b0-Boss.html boss clothing online http://www.21cnstock.com/category-4-b0-Boss.html boss clothing sale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-4-b0-Boss.html boss clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-4-b0-Boss.html burberry clothing sale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-5-b0-Burberry.html replica burberry clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-5-b0-Burberry.html cheap burberry clothes http://www.21cnstock.com/category-5-b0-Burberry.html burberry clothes outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-5-b0-Burberry.html canada goose jackets http://www.21cnstock.com/category-6-b0-Canada+Goose.html canada goose sale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-6-b0-Canada+Goose.html canada goose coats http://www.21cnstock.com/category-6-b0-Canada+Goose.html Canada Goose clothes http://www.21cnstock.com/category-6-b0-Canada+Goose.html canada goose parka http://www.21cnstock.com/category-6-b0-Canada+Goose.html Chanel clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-7-b0-Chanel.html chanel clothes replica http://www.21cnstock.com/category-7-b0-Chanel.html chanel clothing online http://www.21cnstock.com/category-7-b0-Chanel.html Christian Audigier clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-8-b0-Christian+Audigier.html christian audigier shop http://www.21cnstock.com/category-8-b0-Christian+Audigier.html by christian audigier http://www.21cnstock.com/category-8-b0-Christian+Audigier.html columbia sportswear outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-9-b0-Columbia.html columbia clothing outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-9-b0-Columbia.html columbia jackets http://www.21cnstock.com/category-9-b0-Columbia.html gucci clothing online http://www.21cnstock.com/category-10-b0-Coogi.html wholesale gucci clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-10-b0-Coogi.html gucci clothing outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-10-b0-Coogi.html mens d&g clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-11-b0-DG.html d&g clothing for men http://www.21cnstock.com/category-11-b0-DG.html D&G UK http://www.21cnstock.com/category-11-b0-DG.html ed hardy wholesale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-12-b0-ED+Hardy.html ed hardy clearance http://www.21cnstock.com/category-12-b0-ED+Hardy.html ed hardy overstock http://www.21cnstock.com/category-12-b0-ED+Hardy.html Fjallraven http://www.21cnstock.com/category-13-b0-Fjallraven.html fjallraven jacket http://www.21cnstock.com/category-13-b0-Fjallraven.html fjallraven online shop http://www.21cnstock.com/category-13-b0-Fjallraven.html fjallraven clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-13-b0-Fjallraven.html g-star outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-14-b0-G-STAR.html cheap g star raw http://www.21cnstock.com/category-14-b0-G-STAR.html discount g-star http://www.21cnstock.com/category-14-b0-G-STAR.html gucci clothing outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-15-b0-Gucci.html gucci wholesale clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-15-b0-Gucci.html gucci clothing wholesale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-15-b0-Gucci.html Herve Leger sale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-16-b0-Herve+Leger.html herve leger bandage dress http://www.21cnstock.com/category-16-b0-Herve+Leger.html herve leger clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-16-b0-Herve+Leger.html juicy couture outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-17-b0-JUICY.html wholesale juicy couture clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-17-b0-JUICY.html LACOSTE clothing outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-18-b0-LACOSTE.html lacoste discount clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-18-b0-LACOSTE.html lv clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-19-b0-LouisVuitton.html wholesale lv clothing http://www.21cnstock.com/category-19-b0-LouisVuitton.html moncler jackets http://www.21cnstock.com/category-20-b0-Moncler.html moncler jacket http://www.21cnstock.com/category-20-b0-Moncler.html moncler coats http://www.21cnstock.com/category-20-b0-Moncler.html moncler sale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-20-b0-Moncler.html moncler vest http://www.21cnstock.com/category-20-b0-Moncler.html moncler men http://www.21cnstock.com/category-20-b0-Moncler.html moncler down http://www.21cnstock.com/category-20-b0-Moncler.html moncler women http://www.21cnstock.com/category-20-b0-Moncler.html peak performance outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-21-b0-Peak+performance.html peak performance jacket http://www.21cnstock.com/category-21-b0-Peak+performance.html prada clothing for men http://www.21cnstock.com/category-25-b0-Prada.html prada clothing online http://www.21cnstock.com/category-25-b0-Prada.html Ralph Lauren Polo shirts http://www.21cnstock.com/category-22-b0-Polo.html discount ralph lauren polo shirts http://www.21cnstock.com/category-22-b0-Polo.html north face jacket outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-23-b0-The+North+Face.html north face jacket clearance http://www.21cnstock.com/category-23-b0-The+North+Face.html north face down jacket http://www.21cnstock.com/category-23-b0-The+North+Face.html true religion outlet http://www.21cnstock.com/category-24-b0-True+Religion.html true religion sale http://www.21cnstock.com/category-24-b0-True+Religion.html true religion jeans http://www.21cnstock.com/category-24-b0-True+Religion.html

http://www.21cnstock.com

cheap brand clothes discount online clothes a&f clothing a&f outlet a&f shop A&F online A&F Sale cheap Armani clothing armani exchange clothing armani mens clothing Boss Clothes boss clothing online boss clothing sale boss clothing burberry clothing sale replica burberry clothing cheap burberry clothes burberry clothes outlet canada goose jackets canada goose sale canada goose coats Canada Goose clothes canada goose parka Chanel clothing chanel clothes replica chanel clothing online Christian Audigier clothing christian audigier shop by christian audigier columbia sportswear outlet columbia clothing outlet columbia jackets gucci clothing online wholesale gucci clothing gucci clothing outlet mens d&g clothing d&g clothing for men D&G UK ed hardy wholesale ed hardy clearance ed hardy overstock Fjallraven fjallraven jacket fjallraven online shop fjallraven clothing g-star outlet cheap g star raw discount g-star gucci clothing outlet gucci wholesale clothing gucci clothing wholesale Herve Leger sale herve leger bandage dress herve leger clothing juicy couture outlet wholesale juicy couture clothing LACOSTE clothing outlet lacoste discount clothing lv clothing wholesale lv clothing moncler jackets moncler jacket moncler coats moncler sale moncler vest moncler men moncler down moncler women peak performance outlet peak performance jacket prada clothing for men prada clothing online Ralph Lauren Polo shirts discount ralph lauren polo shirts north face jacket outlet north face jacket clearance north face down jacket true religion outlet true religion sale true religion jeans

ugg

A good blog,we sell some original products,if you interested,you also can view. Discount Ugg Boots ugg classic mini boots on sale Uggs Crochet Boots http://www.easybuyying.com Low price,best server,fast shipping is our advanced.

ugg

Wonderful blog.We sell all kinds of ugg boots: uggs on sale 1,900,000 uggs classic mini sale315,000 ugg mini boots on sale1,190,000 http://www.easybuyying.com Low price,best server,fast shipping is our advanced.

buy cheap tibia gold

When we are playing Tibia ,each of us wants to get much more tibia gold for our character,but how to do it ? Just follow me,this guide will give you some help. Buy tibia money from Tibiamoney.com is much easier.We are an provide superior tibia gp or cheap tibia gold,tibia item and tibia account.Just visit the website,select tibia gold under Tibia option and make the payment through your credit or debit card or PayPal or Money Bookers which you feel comfortable with. We guarantee our cheapest tibia gold delivery method 100% safe and will take responsibility for that and providing best quality after-service is a top priority here.We have specialized representatives to be waited to solve your problems anytime. You can come to our 7/24 live support to consult with any pre-sale or after-sale problems. 武汉婚纱摄影

Our team of gw gold brokers have been serving the MMO community for over seven Years. We pride ourselves with fast friendly service to keep you coming back. If for any reason you feel that we have not lived up to your expectations as a provider of guild wars gold then please let us know. We will make it up to you. Promise! Buy Cheap guild wars gold skip all the hours and hours of repetitive boredom required to collect the gw gold yourself. Simply select the amount you need and click on "Buy Now". Purchase guild wars 2 platinum to level up your character all the way to the next level. We work hard to offer the fastest and most reliable service all the time. 寓教于乐的游戏

Cheap rs2 gold is easy to buy here, and we have safe delivery for customers, much time we will provide cheap rs2 gold for players, and we only hope you can be easy to enter into high level. If you have time, you can come here to have a look, and I protect that you will not regret coming. We are 24/7 service for players, if you need low price of runescape gp, and you can connect us. We will give you a reasonable runescape gp price which is low! Hope you have a good time. 华夏摄影 hqs