Racism in Italy
Racism in Italy has been present throughout the country's history. Under Benito Mussolini's Fascist state and its pact with Adolf Hitler, anti-Semitism spread. In modern times, immigration from other countries has also been met by violent or xenophobic resistance by racist extremists.
Fascist Italy
Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was a major ally of Nazi Germany, culminating in the Pact of Steel. The issue of racism in Fascist Italy before this is debated, although some Fascists held racial views before the alliance with Giovanni Preziosi being a prime example.[1][2] It has also been indicated Mussolini had his own, if somewhat different than Nazi, brand of racist views.[3][4]
Although Mussolini harbored anti-Semitic views, his Fascist regime did not persecute Jews. He once declared "Anti-Semitism does not exist in Italy... Italians of Jewish birth have shown themselves good citizens and they fought bravely in [World War I]."[5]
Julius Evola is also an Italian figure of this period noted for racist theories.[6] Mussolini himself felt "the white man has to subdue the black, brown and yellow races."[7][page needed]
Modern times
There has been concern that racism and xenophobia in Italy has increased in the 21st century. In particular, actions by the Lega Nord have been criticised as xenophobic or racist by several sources.[8][9][10][11][12][13] Italians protested the murder of Burkina Faso native Abdul Salam Guibre and racism in Italy on 20 September 2008.[14] L'Osservatore Romano, the semi-official newspaper for the Holy See, indicated racism played an important role in the riot in Rosarno.[15] According to a Eurobarometer study, Italians had the third lowest level of "comfort with person of Roma origin as neighbour" like Austrians and Czechs.[16][17]
Contemporary Italian football fans, of lower-league and top-flight teams, have been noted by foreign media for racist actions by sections of their support.[18]
References
- ^ Richard S. Levy, Antisemitism: A Historical Encyclopedia of Prejudice and Persecution, Volume 2, 2005, p. 556
- ^ Fascist Italy by John Whittam
- ^ Racial theories in Fascist Italy by Aaron Gilette
- ^ Dictating Demography: The Problem of Population in Fascist Italy by Carl Ipsen, pg 187
- ^ Benito Mussolini By Jeremy Roberts
- ^ Mussolini's intellectuals: fascist social and political thought by Anthony James Gregor, Chapter 9
- ^ Duggan, Christopher (2008). The force of destiny : a history of Italy since 1796. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618353674.
- ^ Naughton, Philippe; Costello, Miles (2008-04-15). "Silvio Berlusconi: third time lucky?". London: The Times. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ Horowitz, Jason (2003-06-17). "Italy: Statement On Immigrants Denied". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ Lewis, Aidan (2008-04-17). "Italy's Northern League resurgent". BBC News.
- ^ "Mussolini's heirs bid farewell to party". Financial Times. 2009-03-22.
- ^ Johnston, Bruce (2004-08-04). "Italian mayor fights terror threat with ban on Muslim veils". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ Rogers, Iain (2008-04-15). "League allies may hinder Italy's Berlusconi: reports". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ Times Online
- ^ Nick Squires (12 Jan 2010). "Vatican accuses Italians of racism after southern riots". The Telegraph. Rome.
- ^ Eurobarometer, p. 43
- ^ Squires, Nick (2008-10-05). "Protests in Italy against escalating racism". London: The Telegraph.
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21610508
External links
- Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on his visit to Italy 2007
- CERD Concluding observations on Italy, 2008
- European Commission against Racism and Intolerance — 3rd report on Lithuania, 2006
