First black elected to office in Russia

[OlgaH]

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.

In June, Mr. Sagbo became the first black to be elected to office in Russia.

In a country where racism is entrenched and often violent, Mr. 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 as a Russian who cares about his hometown

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/1/first-black-elected-to-office-in-russia/?page=1

[Shostakovich]

How interesting.  Racism is a subject that is far more complicated than what people make it out to be.  One rubs it where it hurts and as people of African descent have enjoyed less than favorable treatment on the political front, collectively, that is where there attention goes.  Consequently, they can make excellent politicians.