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Racism warning about ELT in Italy

 
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kingbee2009



Joined: 14 Apr 2009
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Sun May 03, 2009 9:08 pm    Post subject: Racism warning about ELT in Italy Reply with quote

I just wanted to say that if you're in any way of colour, I highly recommend you stay away from teaching English in Italy, especially the north.

Having lived here for a couple of years, I've seen the police prowl around looking for anyone of colour and harass them incredibly. There's not enough crime up here for the police to be kept busy, so they trawl city centres, train stations, the insides of long distance trains, etc, actively searching for anyone ethnic looking and then surround and harass them.

At times I've seen 4 or 5 police around someone, grilling them for documents and questioning them.

I can only imagine the horror I would feel if that happened to me, so I'd say teaching in (north) Italy is only for white people unfortunately.....it's not a tolerant nation generally either.
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Teacher in Rome



Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Posts: 1286

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2009 7:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
At times I've seen 4 or 5 police around someone, grilling them for documents and questioning them.


You're supposed to always carry ID with you in Italy. If not an ID card, then a passport.

I've definitely noticed an increased anti-"immigrant" stance in Italy recently, but not so much on colour issues as on anti-Rom (many of whom are actually Italian citizens). In smaller towns and cities, though, if you're settled and known you're much less likely to get hassle.
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SueH



Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Posts: 1022
Location: Northern Italy

PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The problem is that populist politicians (Lega Nord and others) are making noises which only serve to encourage an element of the population, present everywhere, who then feel more confident in acting out their prejudices.

As TiR says, on a local basis in smaller towns there's less hassle. For example the local street sellers are all known and the banter as they come around the bars is always friendly.

I must admit I only carry ID if I'm driving, but in town I don't bother, prepared to switch to tourist mode in an instant!
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