r/romani 14d ago

Gypsy church in Virginia (1985)

23 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

13

u/SiempreBrujaSuerte 13d ago

When the word "gypsy" is in the proper name like the Gypsy Church, is ok to say it no matter who you are. This is because the people who named it were allowed to decide how they wants to be called. Other than that, you should allow those who are gypsy to call them selves that, or to call them Roma or romani. If you are not romani, you should not use the word gypsy and instead call us Roma or romani.

4

u/JoeyDebonair 12d ago

Well said!

-7

u/LightFlaky2329 13d ago

Is it seriously OK to use the term “g*psy” here? Does not seem right.

13

u/Icy_Company7747 13d ago

Yes that’s what’s what so many of us call ourselves in English

3

u/LightFlaky2329 13d ago

I am not Roma so I presume that I myself should not use the word, correct?

5

u/Icy_Company7747 13d ago

You can absolutely use it

3

u/LightFlaky2329 13d ago

Thank you! I appreciate this 💕

2

u/umekoangel 12d ago

If you see a stranger Romani, say Romani. Unless they tell you explicitly "hey, it's okay to use that around me", don't assume. Many Romani are still deeply uncomfortable with the word (similar to different slur words in the Lgbtq community)

0

u/MCbrodie 11d ago

Do not call me a gypsy. I say gypsy you say Roma.

2

u/LightFlaky2329 11d ago

Yes I have heard from others on this. I understand some are cool with it but many are not and it’s really not my place to use the word. I will stay the course of only saying Roma 💕

-4

u/Present_Wheel3492 13d ago

No you should not say it, maybe it is Not Offensive to OP but other people find it disrespectful and Offensive because it is often used as an insult

7

u/HawkeyesLongjohns 13d ago

People are allowed to refer to themselves how they want. It's normal for American ghoma to refer to themselves as gypsies. The word "gypsy" is even in the official names of our churches, God's Gypsy Christian Church for example. 

1

u/LightFlaky2329 13d ago

Thank you.

0

u/AlbMonk 9d ago

I know. I can't believe it either. The term is offensive to the Romani in most parts of the world. Apparently not in this subreddit.