A first for black man in Russian politics

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.Sagbo last month became the first black to be elected to office in Russia.In a country where racism is entrenched and often violent, Sagbo’s election as one of Novozavidovo’s ten municipal councillors 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 asa Russian who cares about his hometown.