Ad Hoc Citizenship in the midst of disincentive: How Cecile Kyenge uses her citizenship for a certain purpose; to help others
Italy is a country that has been known for its corruption, crime and emigration of its citizens. Although there is not a lot of attention surrounding the positives of Italy and on the good citizens in Italy, they do exist. It is the good citizens of Italy, who preserve the culture and history of the place in the face of adversity. Since studying citizenship and the theories thereof in Italy, I have come to some conclusions. I have generated my own definition about what it means to be a citizen. Being a citizen means that you “exercise your rights as a citizen by voting and being engaged, and you fight to ensure that others rights are preserved and not tampered with. In essence, you contribute positively to your society and make sure that everyone has the opportunity to do so, and if not, it is the citizens who are responsible, not the government as an entity, as the government is a group of elected constituents. With my definition of citizenship, I feel that Cecile Kyenge truly embodies the persona of what it means to be an “ideal citizen.” Cecile is an ideal citizen because she is engaged, she protects the rights of others, and she believes that it is her duty, not the government to help. Hence, she contributes positively to the community of Italy.
Cecile Kyenge, a Congolese-Italian, who immigrated to Italy to attend medical school, is an engaged citizen not only because she is a politician, but she is the spokesperson for many other groups as well. In relation to her engagement in the political sphere, she is the Minister of Integration, and was the first Black minister in the Parliament. In addition, Kyenge is involved in the community by being the face and founder of “DAWA” which promotes awareness and cooperation between Italy and the Republic of Congo, her home country. Moreover, she is also an advocate for the “Jus soli” law which grants citizenship to children of immigrants born on Italian soil. Cecile’s engagement within Politics and Community organizations provides a voice for those who are often unheard in Italy. Furthermore, Cecile often uses her engagement to fight for the rights of others (Winfield 2013).
Most of Cecile’s work is centered on the issue of immigration as she once faced similar circumstances. Cecile continuously fights for the rights of others. She is the face of what an Italian immigrant of African descent looks like. Kyenge is a member of the association ““March First.” The group works to give rights to immigrants. Cecile believes that the state of Italy should help refugees and those fleeing from war-torn countries. By fighting for others, Kyenge provides an atmosphere of belonging to all constituents of Italy, which is not always felt. In addition to fighting for these rights, she is confronted with false critiques, however she continues to fight because she believes that it is her duty (Yan, Russell and Milanova 2013).
Cecile’s intrinsic connection to her duty of helping, without or outside of the government is what makes her so remarkable. I believe her courage to continue to be a good, engaged citizen through adversity is what makes her model and example of citizenship so “ideal.” After being appointed as the first black minister, Cecile experienced a myriad of incidents and insults. The first incident occurred shortly after she was appointed as minister of integration. Kyenge was giving a speech on immigration laws in Cervia, Italy. At the conclusion of her speech, bananas were hurled at her from the crowd. Also, in early July, another politician from the Northern League compared Cecile to an animal, saying she resembles an “orangutan.” Lastly, a colleague of the previous politician stated on his Facebook page that Kyenge would feel more empathy for an Italian rape victim if she was raped herself, implying that Kyenge’s immigration policies put Italian women at risk of sexual assaults by male African immigrants. Through all of this adversity, Kyenge has made it very clear that she will continue to fight for the rights of immigrants. It is her duty (Kingston 2013).
Cecile possesses all of the traits of an ideal citizen. One concept or theory that is repeatedly shown through the traits of Cecile is that she demonstrates what it looks like to put the needs of others in your community first before your own. Nevertheless, the biggest critique of Cecile and her model of citizenship is that she prides herself in making sacrifices for others yet is not concerned about her needs as a citizen. According to Machiavelli, and his writings in “The Prince,” there must be a balance of one’s own needs to others in order for a community or society to be beneficial for every citizen (Machiavelli 1972). Cecile being willing to put herself at risk of harmful behaviors and threats for the sake of another does not make for an efficient society. On the other hand, in response to this argument, those in power, should not take advantage of those beneath them because they have power as Machiavelli did. Therefore, as a politician, Cecile is able to ignore some of her personal needs as well since she has more power than the average Italian.
From Cecile Kyenge we can learn what it means to be an ideal citizen. Kyenge contributes to her community in a positive manner by being engaged, fighting for the rights of others, and making it her duty. Her model is one that can be adopted by others. Although, she is in a position of power, she does not abuse it, but rather uses it to uplift others. Although, we are all not ministers in the parliament or as vocal, we should strive to be an ideal citizen like Cecile Kyenge. Everyone can be engaged, help protect the rights of others and make it your duty to ultimately contribute in a beneficial manner to the societies in which we abide. If everyone operated by “adhoc citizenship,” or purposeful citizenship, we could collectively make our societies better.
Cecile Kyenge, a Congolese-Italian, who immigrated to Italy to attend medical school, is an engaged citizen not only because she is a politician, but she is the spokesperson for many other groups as well. In relation to her engagement in the political sphere, she is the Minister of Integration, and was the first Black minister in the Parliament. In addition, Kyenge is involved in the community by being the face and founder of “DAWA” which promotes awareness and cooperation between Italy and the Republic of Congo, her home country. Moreover, she is also an advocate for the “Jus soli” law which grants citizenship to children of immigrants born on Italian soil. Cecile’s engagement within Politics and Community organizations provides a voice for those who are often unheard in Italy. Furthermore, Cecile often uses her engagement to fight for the rights of others (Winfield 2013).
Most of Cecile’s work is centered on the issue of immigration as she once faced similar circumstances. Cecile continuously fights for the rights of others. She is the face of what an Italian immigrant of African descent looks like. Kyenge is a member of the association ““March First.” The group works to give rights to immigrants. Cecile believes that the state of Italy should help refugees and those fleeing from war-torn countries. By fighting for others, Kyenge provides an atmosphere of belonging to all constituents of Italy, which is not always felt. In addition to fighting for these rights, she is confronted with false critiques, however she continues to fight because she believes that it is her duty (Yan, Russell and Milanova 2013).
Cecile’s intrinsic connection to her duty of helping, without or outside of the government is what makes her so remarkable. I believe her courage to continue to be a good, engaged citizen through adversity is what makes her model and example of citizenship so “ideal.” After being appointed as the first black minister, Cecile experienced a myriad of incidents and insults. The first incident occurred shortly after she was appointed as minister of integration. Kyenge was giving a speech on immigration laws in Cervia, Italy. At the conclusion of her speech, bananas were hurled at her from the crowd. Also, in early July, another politician from the Northern League compared Cecile to an animal, saying she resembles an “orangutan.” Lastly, a colleague of the previous politician stated on his Facebook page that Kyenge would feel more empathy for an Italian rape victim if she was raped herself, implying that Kyenge’s immigration policies put Italian women at risk of sexual assaults by male African immigrants. Through all of this adversity, Kyenge has made it very clear that she will continue to fight for the rights of immigrants. It is her duty (Kingston 2013).
Cecile possesses all of the traits of an ideal citizen. One concept or theory that is repeatedly shown through the traits of Cecile is that she demonstrates what it looks like to put the needs of others in your community first before your own. Nevertheless, the biggest critique of Cecile and her model of citizenship is that she prides herself in making sacrifices for others yet is not concerned about her needs as a citizen. According to Machiavelli, and his writings in “The Prince,” there must be a balance of one’s own needs to others in order for a community or society to be beneficial for every citizen (Machiavelli 1972). Cecile being willing to put herself at risk of harmful behaviors and threats for the sake of another does not make for an efficient society. On the other hand, in response to this argument, those in power, should not take advantage of those beneath them because they have power as Machiavelli did. Therefore, as a politician, Cecile is able to ignore some of her personal needs as well since she has more power than the average Italian.
From Cecile Kyenge we can learn what it means to be an ideal citizen. Kyenge contributes to her community in a positive manner by being engaged, fighting for the rights of others, and making it her duty. Her model is one that can be adopted by others. Although, she is in a position of power, she does not abuse it, but rather uses it to uplift others. Although, we are all not ministers in the parliament or as vocal, we should strive to be an ideal citizen like Cecile Kyenge. Everyone can be engaged, help protect the rights of others and make it your duty to ultimately contribute in a beneficial manner to the societies in which we abide. If everyone operated by “adhoc citizenship,” or purposeful citizenship, we could collectively make our societies better.
Works Cited
Kingston, T. (2019, September 7). Italy's first black minister: I had bananas thrown at me but I'm here to stay. The Guardian. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/08/cecile-kyenge-quest-for-tolerance
Machiavelli, N., & Levy, Y. (1938). Le prince Paris: Éditions de Cluny.
Winfield, N. (2013, May 1). Cecile Kyenge, First Black Italian Cabinet Member, Target Of Racist Remarks. The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/01/cecile-kyenge-italy-racism_n_3193206.htm
Yan, H., Russell, L., & Milanova, B. (2013, July 29). Bananas thrown at Italy's first black minister Cecile Kyenge. CNN. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/28/world/europe/italy-politics-racism/
Machiavelli, N., & Levy, Y. (1938). Le prince Paris: Éditions de Cluny.
Winfield, N. (2013, May 1). Cecile Kyenge, First Black Italian Cabinet Member, Target Of Racist Remarks. The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/01/cecile-kyenge-italy-racism_n_3193206.htm
Yan, H., Russell, L., & Milanova, B. (2013, July 29). Bananas thrown at Italy's first black minister Cecile Kyenge. CNN. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/28/world/europe/italy-politics-racism/