First Afro-Russian politician elected

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100725/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_black_politician
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NOVOZAVIDOVO, Russia – People in this Russian town used to stare at Jean Gregoire Sagbo because they had never seen a black man. Now they say they see in him something equally rare — an honest politician.

Sagbo last month became the first black to be elected to office in Russia.

In a country where racism is entrenched and often violent, Sagbo's election as one of Novozavidovo's 10 municipal councilors is a milestone. But among the town's 10,000 people, the 48-year-old from the West African country of Benin is viewed simply a Russian who cares about his hometown.

He promises to revive the impoverished, garbage-strewn town where he has lived for 21 years and raised a family. His plans include reducing rampant drug addiction, cleaning up a polluted lake and delivering heating to homes.

"Novozavidovo is dying," Sagbo said in an interview in the ramshackle municipal building. "This is my home, my town. We can't live like this."

"His skin is black but he is Russian inside," said Vyacheslav Arakelov, the mayor. "The way he cares about this place, only a Russian can care."

An honest politician? No way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abram_Petrovich_Gannibal

I'm going to look through the soviet times, I'd be surprised if no Afro-Russians got elected to some office or another.

Though i am also surprised there hasn't been some one else in a border region or something.

thanks for posting...

or that if there was, there were not a true Russian...sounds familiar speak?

Russia is one place I've never had a desire to visit, mainly from hearing so many shitty stories of unbelievable treatment from fellow African college students who attended universities there. I don't know how they stuck it out.

Thanks for posting. Even change this small is a good thing.

KnR

"We don't care about his race," said Danilenko, 31. "We consider him one of us."

In a place as racist as Russia that is one hell of a compliment.

of my colleagues was from Tanzania. Knowing what they went through, I am amazed by this story.