Germany and Remembering →
Thanks Germany, but no thanks…
my feelings on the Holocaust memorial opened today
Dear World,
Can you please just stop it with all your “gypsy” fashion, “gypsy” dance, and “gypsy” everything?
I would appreciate it if for once in my life I did not have to feel ashamed of who I am and the culture into which I was born. I am tired of having to constantly shout over the stereotypes that drown me & my people.It does not flatter us. That is not “appreciating” “gypsy” culture. In reality, it is tantamount to spitting in the face of our entire ethnicity; you are defecating on our culture. You are sexualizing our women, painting us as chlidren or savages. We have become invisible against the backdrop of misinformation, bigotry & hatred.
My ethnicity is not a lifestyle. My culture is not a type of fashion.
That word, “gypsy”, it’s a slur. I don’t want that word, but you can’t have it either. It is screamed as people spit in our faces, beat us in public, rape our women & burn down our houses. It was tattooed on the arms of my ancestors. It is used as a means to make people fear us, so we can be further ostracized an oppressed.
I am no victim. No one can hurt me without my permission.
I just want my culture back. I want my dikhlo and my skirts and my braids and I don’t want to feel ashamed for wearing them. I don’t want to be feel afraid to wear them. I want people to stop giving me dirty looks or spitting at me because of who I am.
You can’t have even the pretty bits.
If you want to be a “gypsy”, you must take the “rules”, the heavy pain in my heart for the relatives who perished in genocide. You must burn candles with me. Take the insults, take the words of “dirty gypsy” and “gypsy scum”. Take being called a “slut” simply for being a Romani woman. Take being called a “monkey” & “European n*gger”. Take the fear of speaking out for your rights, the death threats.Take the shame of just existing.
I want my culture back.
I want my dignity back.
It was never yours to take in the first place.
Interested in Romani “Gypsy” culture? Read all of this first!
(This was taken from my page over at thisisnotgypsy.tumblr.com. I have not been a good admin over there, because, frankly I am tired of explaining. When I become untired, I may begin posting again. I have to remember that it is not my job to educate anyone..but I do try, and it is exhausting.)
First and foremost: THE WORD “GYPSY” IS AN ETHNIC SLUR. It is a pejorative. It is an exonym that is hurtful and offensive. You need to accept this, period.
We are NOT your halloween costume.
We are NOT your flowy skirt.
We are NOT your fashion sense.
We are NOT your wanderlust.
We are NOT “boho.”Gypsy is not fashion
Gypsy is not traveling
Gypsy is not a headband
or a costume
or boho
or a long skirt
Gypsy is a hurtful ethnic slur used to refer to the Romani people.We are a real people, with traditions, culture, and colorful heritage that spans centuries.
Suggested Reading/Interested in Romani culture?
I decided it might be a good idea to put up a suggested reading list here. If youre interested in Romani culture, I highly suggest you read the following:
Dear Tattoo Artists (from this Tumblr)
“Gypsy” and Bohemian fashion. (from gadjedile.tumblr.com)
From gypsyappropriations.blogspot.com:
What its like to be a Gypsy: Crash Course
The Truth About Gypsy Life
The problem with the word Gypsy
…and pretty much every other article on this blog!Im sorry, but no you cannot, and never will you be. by biggadjeworld.tumblr.com
The Pariah Syndrome by Ian Hancock
Roma Persecution in Europe from Amnesty International
Wikipedias entry on Anti-Ziganism (anti Gypsy sentiment)
Aj-Rromale, a Tumblr Blog
(in the tags I have included some words in which I often see “Gypsy” grouped with in hopes of spreading knowledge to people who group these words together)
Open Letter to Ralph Macchio
Ek lil andar Ralph Maccio; o gadjo kon kerdjan “American Gypsies”.
biggadjeworld:This is an open letter to Ralph Macchio, creator of the National Geographic series, ‘American Gypsies’. I not only recommend reading the letter, but also highly reccomend viewing the films linked at the bottom of the letter.
This show does great injustice to our culture. Like MBFAGW, this show has already directly caused instances of racism and discrimination. I will write more about the show and it’s inaccuracies at a later date. Thank you.
Open Letter to Ralp MacchioReblogging this letter again because it’s worth reading more than once.
URGENT: An Appeal to Roma Friends and Allies
I recently posted information about a Roma rights activist, Toma Nikolaev, who is facing extradition from the UK back to Bulgaria, where his life is in danger. There is a petition (here), but it is well documented that LETTERS, actual physical letters written by MANY people are a better source of providing justice. So, I ask you, no I humbly BEG you to help Toma (and ALL Roma rights activists, myself included) by writing a letter to the addresses below.
I have included the blurb from the petition website as an inspiration to form a letter. I will probably include the text as it stands, along with some more personal information about why it’s important not just for Toma.
Toma Nikolaev is a well-respected Roma rights activist and former candidate MP. Persecuted in Bulgaria due to his criticism of the apartheid that excludes most of Bulgaria’s 700,000 Roma, he was directing editor of the bilingual newspaper DeFacto until its closure.
Fearing for his life after a bomb was placed near his home, Mr. Nikolaev sought asylum in the UK. A long, uncompleted process followed during which Nikolaev continued to help fellow Roma. He joined the campaign to save the Dale Farm community, which was broken up by the riot police assault on the estate on 19 October 2011.
On April 8, 2012 Toma Nikolaev attended a sit-in front of the Bulgarian Embassy in London to mark Roma Nation Day. Shortly after he was arrested under a European warrant and he spent three days in custody before being released on bail. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court at 9:30am on 22nd May.
This is the first time a prominent Roma political activist has been brought before this court, which is reserved for extradition and terrorism cases.
Mr. Nikolaev faces extradition back to Bulgaria, where he would have to continue a prison sentence imposed for his criticism of the government .
The Roma in Bulgaria make up 8% of the population, live mostly in segregated neighbourhoods and are suffering 70% unemployment. In this condition of social exclusion, Roma activists are subject to judicial and police persecution, as well as violence from nationalist and racist movements, in particular the Atak Party. That is why we believe it is unsafe for Mr Nikoleav, his wife and children, to return to Bulgaria
and appeal to the Westminster Magistrates’ Court to dismiss the extradition proceedings brought by the Bulgarian state and allow Toma Nikolaev to remain in the UK, where he wishes to apply for political asylum.
Our appeal is also addressed to Queen Elizabeth II, and the Government and Parliament of the United Kingdom. We are asking them to intervene in the case of Toma Nikolaev, thus offering the European Union and the world an example of civility and respect for human rights. We also urge the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres; the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay; the European Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks; the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and all civil society not to remain indifferent to a paradigmatic case of the current conditions of the Roma people and those who defend their rights.
We hope there will be a just and humanitarian verdict in the case of Toma Nikolaev, and extend to all recipients of this appeal our best regards.Addresses to send letters:
Westminster Magistrate’s Court:
Postal address - 181 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5QJ.
Navanethem Pillay
United Nations High Commissioner for Human RightsEmail addressinfodesk@ohchr.org
Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland.or
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Antonio Guterres
United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesCase Postale 2500
CH-1211 Genève 2 Dépôt
Suisse.
Nils Muiznieks
European Commissioner for Human RightsCouncil of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, FRANCE
Martin Schulz
President of the European ParliamentRue Wiertz 60
1047 Bruxelles
Belgique
Do we really know the Roma?
O hederlezi ko Izmiri – katar ki Fatma Heinschink
Akana adaja rat isi sar javin Hederlezi: I ratjate o chaja gidindivona, sare chuvena bari jag. Xutena, kon dzanela tarbuka, dünbeleki marena, khelena, katar ki jag xutena. Kas nane chave, avri k´avlin kerena peske barendar sar kher. Ko rukh talal kerena kunja. Cuvena andre xurdi kukla, kîrpendar kerena ekh kukla. Vakerna: “Re Devlam, adava breš isinom bi-chavengiri ama dzak ko breš t´aven man chave.” Ko rukh kerena peske kunja. Kas nane kher, kon isi ko kiras, uština, kerena peske barendar kher. Kon kerela but kavgaz pi romesar, našti ti nakhjon vehat kon isi phivlja, nane len rom - kon isi pi romesar, šukar dzana, lendar angrušni mangena. Ti si phivla, vakerna: “Re Devlam, dzak ko breš t´arakhav mange ekhe romes, ama sar isi von šukar, mej da adikas t´avav mi romesar.” Jek rat lende achola odija angrušni.
Kaskoro rom isi gene bilacho dzana kaste, kon nakhela pi romljasar šukar, lestar lena angrušni, vakerna: “Dzak ko breš mo rom da t’avel godjaver, sar leste. Šukar ti jašadinas.” Uština sora javinaskoro dünles, gidena cuknides. Ama amare cuknides but phabarena. Lena odule cuknidendar, o khera phirena - ama o chaja, ergena chaja. O ergena chaja phirena o khera, phabarena sarilen, ko jataki kaj sovena. Ama o phure Roma: “Aman, mi chaj”, vakerna kaj isi len dukh: “Akathe da, de man cuknidasa”, vakerela, “ti nakhel mi dukh.” Ko canga, ko dumo, ko phike, kaj isi len dukh, odothe da dindarena pes cuknidendzar. Sora dzana ki derijav - dzana ki derijav o chaja. Luludja chuvena ki derijav. E luludi t´avela düzi ki derijav, ka lel pi dukhanes. T´avela tersi ti vurtinla o šero lakoro tele - inandinena adalekse - na lela pi dukhanes. Adikas kerena, ondan sora dzana peske ko fari. Ama othe o prandeme, o chave, o romnja, o chaja, sare dzana peske ko fari. Ka dzana ajde, o Roma, o murša pina. O chaja, tarbukes, zurnades, kemanedes, sa oduva fari phirena les, gilendzar, khelimatendzar. Xana, pina, ejlendinena, tamam sora bitinela amaro Hederlezi. Nane adikas but bare Hederlezia. O xoraxaja vakerna adaleske “Cingene Bajrami”.
Heinschink, Fatma (1996)
[translation:
Herdelezi (George’s Day) in Izmir
On the eve before Herdelezi the girls gather together, and build a big fire. They hop up and down, those able to play the Tarabuka play the drums, they dance and jump over the fire. Those who do not have children build some kind of house from stones in the yard. Under a tree, they build a cradle. They put a small doll in it, a doll made from fabric scraps. They say: “Dear God, this year I am without child, but the coming year I shall have children.” They fasten the cradle to the tree. Those who have no home and pay rent start building a house from stones. Those who often fight with their husbands, who do not get along well with them, or those who are widows and do not have a husband visit those who live happily with their husband and ask them for a ring. If they are widows, they say: “Dear God, the coming year I shall find me a husband; as happy as they are with their husbands, as happily I shall live with mine.”
For one night, they keep the ring. Those, whose husbands treat them badly visit one whose husband treats her well, take the ring, and say: “The coming year my husband shall be as wise as he. We shall live happily.”
They get up early in the morning and pick stinging nettle. But our stinging nettle, they sting badly. The unmarried girls take some of the nettle and go from house to house. They burn all who are still in bed. And our old Roma say: “Oh my daughter,” and they say where they have pain. “Put them here,” they say, “so that the pain will go away.” They treat the feet, the shoulder, the back, wherever they have pains, with the nettle.
Afterwards, the girls go to the sea. They throw flowers into the sea. If the flower swims straight, the girl will have a lover. If it turns, and the head points downward, she won’t find a lover this time – and they believe it!
That’s the way they do it, and then they go to the fair. Everybody goes to the fair, the married ones, the boys, the women, the girls, all go to the fair. That’s where they go, and the Roma, the men, drink. It’s a hustle and bustle: the girls, Tarabukas, Zurmas and violins, the whole fair, where they walk about, with songs and dances. They eat, drink and enjoy themselves, and that’s the way our Herdelezi ends. Our Herdelezi is not so big. The Turks call it “gypsy party”.
Baxtalo Hederljezi~
I wish all my fellow Roma a great St. Georges Day ( Djurdjevdan ) if y’all celebrate it!
We won’t be having a sacrifice (sheep) or a feast—probably not even any dancing or what not.
But, I still want to remember it and celebrate how best I can!!!
Sastimaske! ッ
T’ avel baxtalo Hederlezi vaj Djurdjevdan tumende savorende!
Contact Info to Protest American Gypsy Weddings
(So it’s easier to reblog)
You can send a message to Discovery (the owners of TLC) here:
http://corporate.discovery.com/contact/viewer-relations/
David Herman is executive producer of the show and he works for Firecracker Films. He does not have a direct contact address out there.
Firecracker Films can be contacted here:
The American office can be contacted here:
Their Facebook page is here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Firecracker-Films/112926665414542
Have at it.
The Nevo Baro Porrajmos?
I’ve thought about this a great deal recently, but a new friend has prompted me to write this here.
All the news reports I see—so many from Europe—all pointing at the Roma as such an inconvenience. There is talk of internment camps, ghettos, “removal”, there are renewed evictions to “container settlements”. There is massive pressure in regions of Europe such as France, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, to find an “answer” to the “Roma problem”.
All words we’ve heard before, decades ago.
Phrases like “rising aversion to Roma” plaster the newspapers and send shivers down my spine.
But, no one is listening.
In the US they post headlines about “gypsy thieves” who swing through your precious suburban tranquility in the spring and rip off old grandmas. They write articles about bands and clothing lines simultaneously painting us as thieves and vagabonds, as well as romanticized fairyesque beings who don’t really exist.
Our language is fading out.
Our customs are fading out.
WE are fading out…
but apparently not fast enough. Not fast enough for the politicians in Europe who don’t want to deal with us. Recently two men luckily were freed, they faced jail time for simply trying to protect Roma human rights in Italy. In Serbia families have been shipped from a slum into a “container settlement”. It is literally what it sounds like—old shipping containers where Roma are now forced to live.
There are slums on trash dumps, toxic dumps, next to factories, in areas heavily polluted with heavy metals.
… and no one cares. No one helps us. They let us rot—in hopes that what? We will die without direct intervention. France suggested perhaps they should create internment camps (sound familiar?)
It scares me. I am literally terrified when I think of this and what are we all doing about it?
Nothing!
We sit and fight over who is more of a true Roma, who follows Romanipen stronger, who wears traditional clothes, who does this or that, who has lighter-skin or darker-skin, who is American or who is EU. Seriously? What about our brothers and sisters who are living in fear and bad health situations, who have to beg for food, who have no access to education or health care…
What are we doing? Arguing on the internet about little privileged hipsters who just don’t even care? Why are we wasting our time on these people? We need to be focusing on challenging the mainstream shit like the shows on TLC or other misrepresentation.
Tumblr is not enough.
We need to take this much bigger.
Or, perhaps, there will be a nevo baro Porajmos.
WHEN JUSTICE PROTECTS RACISTS - Call to Action
I am part of a Roma Artists website called Khetanes (means together) and I just received this email. Although you can’t post on the site, support messages to the email at the bottom of the post would be incredibly appreciated.
You say there is no discrimination against my people? Read this and then tell me again:
Amale,
Tomorrow Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau, two artists and human rights activists, will be in the Italian court of Pesaro. Both are facing possible prison sentences.
Their crime?.. They opposed the human rights violations of Roma in Italy. So, not only Roma are persecuted, but also artists who defend their rights.
Both Roberto and Dario belong to the EveryOne Group, that is on our Khetanes site. All EveryOne Group members are artists. It should be stated here that they designed our logo: the butterfly, with the red Roma wheel and the words “inspiring justice”. This logo is on our site and in all our publications, as a symbol of freedom and fundamental rights for all.
Today we are over 700 artists and scholars, from 48 countries in the entire world. Taking into account the orchestras, bands and theatre companies, we are 2500 at least.
Among the first ones to protest against the persecution of Roberto and Dario, is Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia, President of the Unión Romaní in Spain and Honorary Member of Khetanes. Other activists, artists and scholars followed his example.
I believe we all must protest. Gandhi stated that human rights are the bread in this world. Without bread our civilization will starve. Please, react to roberto.malini@everyonegroup.com and/or Artists_Initiative@ziggo.nl
Roberto and Dario were released without charge. The judge felt that there was so substance to the charges being made against them! This is such good news. Our support for their plight definitely had an impact on the judge in the case—despite the prosecution only wanting jail time!
I was so happy to receive this good news this morning! Opre!
WHEN JUSTICE PROTECTS RACISTS - Call to Action
I am part of a Roma Artists website called Khetanes (means together) and I just received this email. Although you can’t post on the site, support messages to the email at the bottom of the post would be incredibly appreciated.
You say there is no discrimination against my people? Read this and then tell me again:
Amale,
Tomorrow Roberto Malini and Dario Picciau, two artists and human rights activists, will be in the Italian court of Pesaro. Both are facing possible prison sentences.
Their crime?.. They opposed the human rights violations of Roma in Italy. So, not only Roma are persecuted, but also artists who defend their rights.
Both Roberto and Dario belong to the EveryOne Group, that is on our Khetanes site. All EveryOne Group members are artists. It should be stated here that they designed our logo: the butterfly, with the red Roma wheel and the words “inspiring justice”. This logo is on our site and in all our publications, as a symbol of freedom and fundamental rights for all.
Today we are over 700 artists and scholars, from 48 countries in the entire world. Taking into account the orchestras, bands and theatre companies, we are 2500 at least.
Among the first ones to protest against the persecution of Roberto and Dario, is Juan de Dios Ramírez Heredia, President of the Unión Romaní in Spain and Honorary Member of Khetanes. Other activists, artists and scholars followed his example.
I believe we all must protest. Gandhi stated that human rights are the bread in this world. Without bread our civilization will starve. Please, react to roberto.malini@everyonegroup.com and/or Artists_Initiative@ziggo.nl
Anti-Romani Protestors :(
Opre Roma. Džimerimaste baxtales thaj sastimos.
OPRE Romale thaj chavale. OPRE.
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