Unrepentant Berlusconi Still Jealous Of Obama's "Tan"

Raw Story:

Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi brushed aside international outrage from earlier this month on Sunday to make reference once again to US president-elect Barack Obama's "suntan."

He told ANSA news agency his initial remark was intended as a "compliment," adding that he is equally "envious" of black supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Read the whole story: Raw Story

Comments

[SethBLiNK]

It's the kind of statement that no culturally sensitive American would ever make, but is it really offensive? As you can tell from his restatement, it is clearly said with no rancor or derision.

He is clearly a guy who admires dark skin, and for some reason, he has chosen to fixate on that and on Obama's overall handsomeness.

So the guy is a little weird. Doesn't make him a racist.

[rpr]

He's probably secretly gay for Barack.

[robXdion]

Find the video of him making the comment while chuckling with Medvedev and get back to us.

They were acting like two schoolyard punks gossiping about the new kid in school.

[LittlePurpleUSA]

What a weirdo lol.

http://littlepurpleusa.blogspot.com

[CologneCitizen]

Just as we in Germany have learned not to confuse Bush with the American people, some of you should realize Berlusconi is not speaking for the Italians. The vast majority of Italians are decent, no racist people. Berlusconi may be an idiot, the Italians are not.

[theotherfringe]

What is offensive is the possible implication that Obama isn't really Black or African-American. Is Silvio implying that Obama is just a deeply tanned white man? If he is, does that make him more comfortable and better able to accept Obama as an equal?

[patianneb]

Oh for pity sake: The man is a European ... grow up.
Truth be told, a whole lot of people would like to have Obama's "tan" ... FISH BELLY WHITE isn't all that attractive ... if it were, the billions of $ spent every year to "tan up" would be spent on other things.

[SpoxLogic]

I don't see what all the drama is about. There are others who actually said racist things and to lump Berlusconi in with those people is really unfair. Are we getting on him because he used "tan" instead of "Black"? Would we be up in arms if he's said he thought Obama was "tall, DARK and handsome"?

My racist/racism meter didn't register on this one.

Seems a little ridiculous.

[PimpOmega]

Your meter's broken then. Go get a new one and try it on this one: I think Berlusconi has the healthiest hair of any world leader!

[Bagger]

Problem with "tan" is that Obama is NOT tan. It's the natural color of his skin. A tan is manipulated by light skinned people to look darker. The remarks are inappropriate by a world leader. Leave the color of his skin out of it. I've never heard a world leader comment on George Bush's pasty white face and Italy's leader needs to seriously be embarrassed by his comments.

[Bagger]

I'm sure glad our leader is no longer the dumbest in the world. I believe the conservative Italian leader has taken over that mantle. Congratulations Italy.

[frenchgirl]

You Americans have been so ridiculous with Bush, now it is our turn, Europeans !

The funniest is that after that deep berluscanian thought,Carla Bruni-Sarkozy said she's happy to be french since her marriage, and no more italian!
Italian president immediately replied it was a shame from her to say such a thing about her native country, etc, etc...
So much noise for nothing !

From another point of view, maybe Carla meant she doesn't share Berlusconi's taste about good looks.. .
Seeing her husband, we knew that before !

Hope you understand my bad english...
You are so lucky to have BO now (and I must confess I share Berlusconi's taste),except that in the following years, you won't be able to laugh about your leader as much as we'll do about ours...

[keepacoolhead]

Why should Berlusconi repent? I think he meant it just like he said it without all that racial stuff that has gotten interpreted into it by OTHERS. Bet Obama got that light hearted remark. Lighten up.

Now the Austrian and Polish guys, I think they may have been serious.

[jetgirl]

Oh leave him alone. I love a good tan myself.

[PimpOmega]

Yeah, were you born with one? Otherwise, just shut your ignorant arse up.

[rpr]

As much as I disdain Berlusconi, Italy like most of Europe doesn't have racial issues (at least not ingrained in society) and this may have been thoughtless but it wasn't racist. If you grow up outside the US (like me) you don't have those sensitivities. Took me quite some time to learn.

[xxnounxx]

WHERE HAS MY COMMENT GONE HUFFINGTON????

[SPQR1052]

Additionally, primer Berlusconi I believe is "Sicilian" hence no Italian from Sicily refers toi himself as Italian (at least none that I am aware of...) Sicilians and Italians are not cut from the same fabrics politically nor mentality... Just saying. Ask them. Better yet visit the country.

[SPQR1052]

Oh one more notation - my Huffpost nic is ITALIAN. :-)
I am also from a bi-racial family entrenched in "French-Italian" and African bloodlines. (Mothersides) Father is African-American. Just saying.....

Oh the spice of life. Lovin' it. For the first time in my adult life!

[ApolloniaCreed]

;-)

[SPQR1052]

If you are Italian chances are that you start your day enriching the premier's businesses: That breakfast your wife or significant other prepared - he owns the grocery store(s) where it was purchased. That newspaper you are reading he owns it (liberal or conservative.) That TV program you are watching - he owns it ( 4 of 5 stations.) That football (soccer) game you are about to watch he either owns it or has rights to its broadcast!

All things Italian equates Berlusconi.