‘Her Physical Characteristics Don’t Represent Majority Of Italians’: Mural Celebrating Gold Medal-Volleyball Legend Paolo Egonu Vandalized, Her Black Skin Painted Pink

Even the highest level of achievement and patriotism doesn’t sway the hearts of racists in Italy to support accomplished Olympians of color.& Two years after Italian volleyball player Paola Egonu stepped down from the national volleyball team after racial abuse on social media overwhelmed her, she has become the target of racism once again following her leading Italy to the country’s first-ever gold medal in Paris.  Italian Volleyball Star Paola Egonu Subject Of Racism Within Her Own Country Egonu, a 25-year-old Italian citizen, was born in Padu, Italy, to Nigerian parents, but she’s been dealing with European ignorance despite bringing her country great pride in competition.  A mural celebrating the Italian Olympic volleyball champion has become the target of “vulgar racism” after the athlete’s skin in the image was spray-painted pink. According to reports, the mural by the street artist Laika was defaced within 24 hours of being unveiled Monday across from the Italian National Olympic Committee headquarters near the Olympic stadium in Rome. The mural depicted Egonu in full flight, spiking a volleyball bearing the words “Stop racism, hate, xenophobia, ignorance.” The words were also erased by the vandals, who are yet to be identified. A mural celebrating the...