Antonella Bundu

Activist and municipal councilor for the Left Joint Project, Florence

«I sincerely hope that in 5 years we wont have to fight for politics to adapt to see society for what it already is: multicultural».

Tell us about the moment you first realized that your calling was activism

At 17, when I moved from Freetown to Liverpool, I went to live in the former "ghetto" neighborhood of Liverpool - Toxteth. It was still the 1980s, not long after the riots that had occurred in both Brixton and Toxteth. There was a lot of tension and in that neighborhood lived the most fragile, the poorest, almost all black, almost all English people who were born there. The older ones were children who had arrived as children from the former English colonies, from the Caribbean, from Africa, even the English who weren’t Afro-descendants but poorer were in that neighborhood. Outside was the rest and the social inequalities were clearly visible. You couldn't not have an opinion, you couldn't not participate, you couldn't not know which side to take.

What has been the most difficult part of your professional journey so far?

The beginning - my election campaign for the mayor of the city of Florence . Nine candidates and I was the only woman. I had been previously active in politics without being a member of any party. Being able to debate and give answers to the various requests of a territory was difficult. I sincerely thank all the women and men of the coalition who, each in their own sector of competence, have given active support, I have never felt alone, because we worked as a team. 

What would say to your 13 year old self? 

At 13 I had recently lost my father, I read a lot, I was becoming a woman, I went to an all-girls school, all in uniform, a Catholic school (but not too much), I tried to be as rebellious as I was allowed to at school - very little - like having more than one ear piercings and putting the two earrings that were allowed, on the same ear, only to be immediately punished. I think I had a very quiet adolescence from the age of 13, without particular problems, so I would have little to reproach or recommend to myself at 13.

What changes do you hope to see in your sector in Italy in the next 5-10 years?

I sincerely hope that in 5 years we wont have to fight for politics to adapt to see society for what it already is: multicultural, and to take steps forward and adapt with its laws to remove the structural discrimination that now exists. I hope that the climate emergency declaration will be followed by actions and that not only a declaration will remain.I hope that men and women can circulate safely and freely, regardless of their origin. In 10 years I hope that the wealth of a continent like Europe will be redistributed equally among everyone and everyone.