The Baltic port of Gdansk is one of four Polish cities hosting the 16-nation
European Championship, along with four cities in Ukraine, and with race such
a sensitive issue, Andrzej Bojanowski put his foot firmly in it during a
radio interview.
"I thank residents and city employees for behaving like normal civilized
white people toward our guests who have in turn also behaved like normal
white people," Bojanowski, 40, said.
Bojanowski promptly followed up the controversial statement with an apology in
the local edition of Gazeta Wyborcza daily.
"I apologise to anyone I may have hurt with the clumsy phrasing I used
this morning in a live broadcast," he said. "I simply wanted to
thank residents and guests, whatever the colour of their skin."
Krzysztof Jarymowicz, an official from the Polish Foundation for Freedom
anti-racism organisation, said this was "an example of the extent to
which stereotypes and xenophobia are rooted in the mentality and language"
of Poland.
However, he added: "I'm certain that the deputy mayor of Gdansk had no
ill will and that he used the phrase unconsciously."
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