The Roma Issue
Actions, reactions and opinions against the Romani community have a long winding history behind it. Gypsies are a close knit community with strong values and traditions who give utmost importance to the family. They prefer not to mingle with what they call Gorgios or non-Gypsies as they think their young ones will be lose their morals.
Their fear of letting others in and “corrupting” their traditions may sometimes have an adverse effect on society which is largely ignorant about their culture. But should our lack of knowledge about them allow us to judge them?
Many had to hide their identity to escape prejudice and the kids bullying at school. One such person I spoke to was Andy Wilson, who is now trying to rediscover his roots.
The Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month celebrated in June this year took up the theme of spreading awareness. Jake Bowers agrees the situation is better now, but he says, “We shouldn’t be fighting for our basic rights in the first place. We should be treated as equals and not have to ask for housing and respect.”
The new Government recently scrapped the RSS (Regional Spatial Strategy) plan and also the funds for building new sites for Gypsies. A few local councils have decided to go ahead and do an estimate on the requirement of sites in the next 15 years.