Chronicles of ordinary racism 2011 - Cronache di ordinario razzismo

happened with the sentence given to the murderers of the young Abba, 359 or the assault
of the Chinese national Ton Hong Sheng. 360 The cases in which the judge cites racism as
an aggravating circumstance are few and far between (the Castel Volturno massacre 361
or the tinsmith from Sri Lanka mistreated by his employer in Milan 362 ). The ongoing
trial for the assault of Emmanuel Bonsu in Parma represents the exception that proves
the rule.
Thus racism continues day after day, affecting politics, inspiring the choices of local
administrators, appearing in news stories and on the internet. It defines our daily
behaviour. The never‐ending, systematic observation of everyday incidents suggests
that we should not underestimate the widespread, deep‐rooted nature of intolerance,
xenophobia and racism in our country and advises us to build up and reinforce the
tools with which to nip them in the bud or fight against them. It is in this field that we
have registered one of the most encouraging signals. The many verdicts that permit the
appeals promoted by Asgi and other local organizations against discriminatory decrees
issued by local administrations tell us that it is possible to fend off racism, even the
institutional kind. If the world of “democratic” politics and the media which has the
greatest influence on the general public played their part, the struggle against racism
would prove easier.
359 Abdul Salam Guibre, known as Abba, an Italian citizen born in Burkina Faso, is killed by blows from sticks and iron bars in
Milan on 15 September 2008, by two barmen – a father and son – who grabbed the weapons and chased Abdul and two others
after they stole a packet of biscuits. Although the aggressors shouted 'fucking niggers', 'where are you running to chocolate face'
and 'dirty black', the sentence rules out racism, handing down only 15 years for voluntary manslaughter, as 'aggravating
circumstances of racial hatred' are not admitted by the public prosecutor. Back when the crime took place De Corato, the deputy
mayor, had already stated that there was no 'racial motive' - an argument that was repeated live on the Porta a Porta TV current
affairs discussion show by prime minister Silvio Berlusconi: 'The racial issue, the colour of their skin, has nothing to do with it';
if anything, the problem lay in 'open door policies that lead Italians to feel less safe' (though Abba was himself Italian - editor's
note). When it came down to it, as the provincial secretary of the Romagna branch of the Northern League stated in the heat of
the moment, those three kids 'broke the law - they needed to be taught a lesson', and the killing was an 'unfortunate mishap' which
someone like Abdul who had put himself outside the law 'had no cause to complain of'. 20 luglio 2009,
marginaliavincenzaperilli.blogspot.com.
360 The attack which took place in the suburb of Tor Bella Monaca on 2 October 2008 had nothing to do with racism, according
to the preliminary hearing judge in the Rome juvenile court during the trial of Michele Fadda, a boy who punched a Chinese
citizen in the face. The defence's argument was accepted by the judge who, after lengthy deliberation, sentenced Michele Fadda
to one year behind bars for bodily harm. The judge ruled out any notion that the attack had been committed "for reasons of racial
hatred." He also granted the accused a suspended sentence. (Affari italiani, 14 April 2011)
361 Four life sentences have been handed down by the Assizes court to Giuseppe Setola, boss of the Casalesi clan, and three of his
most faithful followers for the Castel Volturno massacre. All were found guilty of shooting indescriminately, and having killed
six young foreigners in the space of less than five minutes. The Camorra gang's sentence was adjusted for the aggravating
circumstances of racism and terrorism. Strage di Castel Volturno: 4 ergastoli per Setola & Co. (Castel Volturo massacre, four life
sentences for Setola & Co.) Corriere del Mezzogiorno, 14 April 2011
362 For the first time, the manager of a firm is sentenced for mistrating an employee, Anton R., 47, from Sri Lanka, with the
aggravating circumstance of racial motives. According to the investigation, the tinsmith, who had been working in the small firm
in Segrate since 2001, was kicked and punched following a discussion about getting a day off work. And that is not all. The
investigations revealedthat the employee underwent constant humiliating treatment. On his work cart there was a sign on which a
message had been left: “nigger, bad at working but good at taking money” 26 May 2011, TM News.
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