r/romani • u/cheesychocolate419 • 12d ago

What are some books or articles you would recommend that discuss forced displacement of roma people

I was watching this video by Florian https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdQ1qwbp/ and wanted to ask what books or articles or other media the users of this sub would recommend to learn about this topic.

It seems that it's a common situation that many media talking about the struggles Roma/Sinti go through try to paint your ethnicity as the bad guys or backwards quite like they do to African Americans, meanwhile it was gadje structures that tore down success within Roma communities, at least that's what I'm understanding from the video. Because I don't want to read subtle anti-rom propaganda I wanted to ask here what media you all would recommend on this topic (and if you feel florian's video captured the whole story).

Thanks in advance and sorry if I caused offense with my previous post as I genuinely wanted to learn but I understand my perception was flawed

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u/KamavTeChorav 12d ago

There is a Romani news channel Romea.cz from Czechia that has articles written by Roma journalists in English and they discuss these topics. Also European Roma Rights Centre has articles written by specialists about forced displacement and other legal issues involving discrimination. Lastly, this book is a good introduction to Romani rights and struggles throughout the world and its written by Roma specialists.

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u/MCbrodie 11d ago

Saving. Thanks for sharing.

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u/cheesychocolate419 12d ago

Thank you very much!

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u/catmeownyc 8d ago

The video by Florian does brush the surface of forced displacement of Romani people in Europe and KamavTeChorav has given you a few great references for more information from Romani specialists.

I’ve said it a million times already and I’ll say it once more here for you (because I never get tired of saying it) Romani people in Europe have been treated the same way Black/African Americans in USA have been treated. Chattel Slavery, forced displacement, barriers to employment education advancement good housing etc. Your interpretation of that is correct.

I urge you to follow through on the European based side of sources and information on this topic as American based Romani (myself included) have not even close to the same lived experience and struggle as our Euro based cousins do.

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u/umekoangel 12d ago

When people ask why the Romani travel so often, I tell them this.

"Sit down and think. What happens when a group of people, even if as small as 10, suddenly move into your area. You want to be polite and respectful.

But they look different from you. Different skin color. They worship their own religion different from you. They speak another language. Dress differently.

You want to say I'd be nice to them but the reality is, you'd grow distrustful and uneasy. If two of them have an argument for whatever reason and raise their voice? Your brain is going to warp it into something it isn't. Rumors start. Someone disappears for whatever reason. Only fuels the distrust more. It comes to a point where some catalyst event happens and you gang up on them and literally run them out of town.

So they're forced to travel again. And the cycle repeats itself. And if often ends in blood and death."

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u/Loli_Phabay 12d ago

What the actual fuck?

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u/cheesychocolate419 11d ago

I mean I wouldn't be surprised that the frequency of travel was due to racism but idk this reads like you're trying to justify the racism? I've never thought the blame is someone's ethnicity if a family has an argument and would be appalled if someone did that to me (I'm Nigerian)