US-based Romanian political history professor Vladimir Tismaneanu, who authored a report used by president Traian Basescu to condemn Communism in 2006, was accused of racism after posting on Facebook a photo of several crows standing on a fence with caption: “Tandarei airport. All flights cancelled.”
Tandarei is a Romanian town with a sizable Roma population that has been isolated by the authorities after several COVID-19 cases were confirmed there. The word ‘crow’ is used in Romania as an insult against people of Roma origin.
Outcome: Tismaneanu removed the post and apologised.