Racist Abuse at Bari Health Clinic Highlights Ongoing Discrimination

Rosamaria Fumarola recounts a personal encounter at an ASL office in Bari, Italy, where she was subjected to overt racist harassment. While waiting for her turn, a staff member began speaking in the Barese dialect, accusing migrants of not working and labeling various ethnic groups as thieves. The employee then kicked the chair supporting Fumarola’s seat, an act witnessed by a nearby woman and the orderly. When confronted, the woman dismissed the accusation, claiming the speaker had said "Georgians are blonde like you," while the orderly continued the verbal abuse.

The incident underscores persistent everyday racism within public services in southern Italy and raises concerns about the behavior of health‑care staff toward patients of colour and migrants.