I wonder how many people know of Gypsies (who are called the Roma). And when I say "know of" I don't mean what they can devise and scrounge up from the life of Esmerelda, the "exotic bombshell" who happens to look just like all other Disney princesses, from the Disney movie, Hunchback of Notre Dame.
I'll be 20 years old in a couple of months and the first time I actually heard of the current plights of the Roma was because of Ila Singh, my International Relations teacher's assistant (followed up by newspaper articles on their current position in the international system). I blame it on the media and my lack of knowledge to even consider learning more about them. Honestly, I think my brain somehow disregarded them as a people because I hear so little of them. And for some reason, when the subject did come up, I had this idealic notion that Gypsies lived in peace in some far off land that I'd probably never have the opportunity (or money) to visit, free from Western influences. So oblivious and naive, I know. Low and behold, their lives are far from the idealic. Much like any minority of people who "invade" an area, the Roma are facing serious discrimination in Eastern Europe, where a majority of them reside. Think discrimination like places refusing to hire or serve Roma and many of the children are placed into classes meant for children with mental handicaps, despite the fact that these Roma children have none of these handicaps. Sound familiar to anyone? But the sad thing is, I know right off the back that this situation hasn't just arisen, these people have been living in that hell for years and years and years. Read More »
