National

Hotline for black students in Poland

20.11.2009 16:58

Another racist attack on a black student in Warsaw has spurred his university into action.

Collegium Civitas, which has about 50 African students, joined hands with the Different Africa Foundation to create a support line for black students with funds obtained from the EU and the labor ministry.

Africans in Warsaw, as well as other cities, say they hear racist insults on a daily basis and attacks on them are not isolated incidents.

When in trouble, they can now phone the hotline, which is operated in three languages: English, French and Portuguese by Africans who have lived in Warsaw for years, know the city and its people.

They will offer help not only in crisis situations, but are also ready to give advice on where to buy African food in Warsaw or where to go. A website was also created with Collegium Civitas and Warsaw University students as moderators to enable Africans and Poles to exchange views.

Last May, Collegium Civitas appealed to the Warsaw city mayor to launch an anti-racist campaign and asked the municipal police department to start an English language help line for African students. (kk)

Comments

Joe 20.11.2009 19:24 Let me guess... The youth section of the PiS party is acting up again? Joe

Sebastian 20.11.2009 20:13 Isn't it better if they just stay in Africa? If there are no blacks - there is no racism.Problem solved - everyone is happy.

And instead of wasting taxpayers money for idiotic "anti racism" campaign they should rather build another kindergarten for polish children. Sebastian

Pawel w Kanadzie 20.11.2009 21:01 Sebastian,

Its people like you that give Poland a bad name. Poland is for all free people and if an African can make the country better than all the power to them! Pawel w Kanadzie

Karl Naylor 20.11.2009 21:22 "Africans in Warsaw, as well as other cities, say they hear racist insults on a daily basis and attacks on them are not isolated incidents.

When in trouble, they can now phone the hotline, which is operated in three languages: English, French and Portuguese by Africans who have lived in Warsaw for years, know the city and its people".

So why do they continue to live there then ? I wouldn't bother. The second time I got thumped in Slovakia I decided to leave ( and I'm white ). Problem solved.

Having said that the police should clamp down on hooliganism wherever it happens.

I was only beaten up once in Poland in Chrzanow & the police didn't even charge my attackers. Karl Naylor

Sebastian 20.11.2009 21:23 Pawel

I guess, I being in Poland know better what is better for Poland, than you sitting in Canada.Poland is the land of my forefathers who gave it me.This soil my ancestors covered with sweat and died for. It's not "free for all people" - only in your sick politically correct mind.
It's for me and my children who will inherit it.Not for some Africans, no matter how good they may be, and for sure not for Canadian PC morons. Sebastian

James 20.11.2009 22:20 Now, Sebastian...
it is never too late to grow up and join the human race.
Your words indeed do harm Poland. And need I mention the billions of Euros that come Poland's way from the EU,
not from your ancestors or forefathers?
Poland is part of Europe and the world. Why make yourself miserable and give your homeland and the Polish
diasphora a bad name. Shame on you. James

Piotr 20.11.2009 22:58 Poland is a normal country with much good but also with no shortage of bad. Fear, alcohol, feelings of inferiority, envy....a lethal concoction for all too many. If Germany can overcome a wretched past, so can Poland. Piotr

Skoy 20.11.2009 23:12 I hope for Poland they won't have to deal with the same problems Western countries have to deal with now, regarding immigrants. That being, where immigrants are totally abusing the countries 'hospitality'. When they start playing the 'racism' card in their advantage!

That said, this seems like a real case of racism! Skoy

Janusz 21.11.2009 00:10 I am definitely behind Sebastian here. Look at trouble caused by immigration in any of the major cities in Western Europe, especially Britain. The fundamental basics in mentality that culture brings are completely juxtaposed by different cultures. Throwing together people who see life in incomparable ways is just asking for trouble. Janusz

BS 21.11.2009 00:49 Poland has a right to decide which immigrants will be allowed into the country, with the exception of people from other EU countries. However, once they are inside Poland as students, immigrants or visitors they have the right not be attacked or face racial insults. That is not the Polish way.

These comments also apply to other EU countries. Treatment of minorities in western Europe is not any better than in Poland and in most cases worse.

James, Poland also contributes to the EU, not just takes money out of it. In fact for agricultural subsidies the largest beneficiary is France.

BS

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