SSM: Romani Communities | GRT Community
Romani Communities | GRT Community
The Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Community are a marginalised group across the UK and Europe. Some people who believe that stereotyping or discrimination against other groups is problematic, still believe it is acceptable to apply stereotypes and racial/ethnic slurs against GRT communities. These prejudices are called Anti-Romani sentiment, antigypsyism or antiziganism.
In the Spain Country Quest, we decided to use the story of Carmen Amaya, one of Spain’s most famous flamenco dancers and a member of the Romani community as an opportunity to discuss anti-Romani sentiment with children. We highlight crucial contributions to European society by GRT peoples, as well as modelling respectful interactions with GRT communities and interrogating stereotypes and insulting language.
A note on terminology
Many different terms are used to refer to GRT peoples, as the community is extremely diverse. Not every member of the Traveller community is Roma (particularly the Yenish, Irish Travellers or Highland Travellers).
Some members of the community dislike the term ‘gypsy’ while others embrace it as an identity. The UK government uses the terms ‘Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community’ while EU guidelines use ‘Roma’ or ‘Romani Community’. You can read more about the discussion here.
Through the SSM we have explained the terminology as clearly as possible, while tending to rely on the terms Traveller Community and Roma for the most part.
“At the root of anti-Romani and other forms of prejudice is the idea of a group who are ‘not like us’, ‘others’, and with this comes the idea that this group do not share the same hopes and needs as us. Help children to think about how much we all share - we all want to live in peace, to be safe, for our children to grow up and thrive. A sense of our common humanity is the best antidote to all prejudice.”
Location of SSM:
Between activities 7 and 8 is our SSM. Activity 8 involves discussion of the Traveller community and prejudice against them. If you wish to skip this activity, the token letter is: A.
Why we chose to talk about the Romani community
Common and shameful prejudice
Some sobering facts about the Traveller/Roma community
Roma slavery not banned in Moldova and Wallachia until 1856
In England in 1554 being a “gypsy” was punishable by death
During the Holocaust, between experts estimate 25-50% of the European Roma community was murdered
90% of GRT peoples say they have experienced discrimination
Antiziganism or prejudice against the Traveller community is common and often unexamined. It is observable at all levels of society from everyday conversations to governmental policies.
Many people excuse their prejudice with stereotypical reasoning, claiming that Traveller communities are dirty, messy, inherently criminal and bring housing prices down. Such prejudices are discriminatory, unfair and inaccurate.
Obscured history
The history of the Traveller community is often brushed over, particularly when it comes to the Porjamos (killing of Travellers in Nazi Germany) and other prejudices.
Children will probably meet members of the Romani community
Particularly if you live in the UK, there may be children from Traveller communities in your child’s school. Prejudice in schools is a significant component of antiziganism, and one of the most hurtful things for Traveller children, as they are often made to feel unwanted in schools.
Learning about prejudice against Traveller communities and modelling how to stand up for others is something you can do to make a difference, in your own child’s life and the lives of others.
April 8th is International Romani Day.
June is GRT History month in the UK.
Tips for talking about the Traveller Community with kids (and modelling inclusivity to your community)
Talk to your child’s school
As a member of the school community you can be involved in making sure that your child’s school is an inclusive and welcoming place for Traveller children and parents. This is a great resource for checking a few key factors.
Interrupt stereotypes quickly and definitively (in children and adults)
It’s crucial that stereotypes which are spoken out loud are challenged immediately. If children or parents express stereotypes against members of the Traveller Community, it’s easy to say ‘That’s not true’ or ‘That’s a mean thing to say’ in the moment.
Deeper discussions about stereotypes can be had in a calm moment. We particularly recommend encouraging children to talk in specifics, not generalizations. It can be very helpful to ask children why they think that, and try to uncover their reasoning before gently correcting.
Experts point out that sometimes when children use stereotypes they are testing the waters, to see if a ‘general rule’ makes sense. Therefore it’s important to stay calm and talk through a statement or understanding carefully, constantly emphasizing that it’s important to be kind to everyone, always.
Assess your own bias
Unfortunately stereotypes are common and biased thinking can be difficult to challenge. Our own biases and stereotypes are not always spoken out loud, so can be difficult to directly challenge. Here’s a great guide to challenge your own biased thinking.
Be aware of terminology and ask where possible
See our above note on terminologies, however it’s always better to be guided by members of the Traveller Community if they’re involved in your conversation. Make sure to ask which word people prefer to identify themselves with, although try to make this an organic part of an ongoing conversation, rather than an upfront interrogation.
Be aware of privacy
Many members of the Traveller Community are used to keeping their lives private and avoiding questions. This is a natural response to discrimination. Some Traveller peoples use the term gadjo or gorja to refer to non-Traveller peoples and discouraged from sharing stories, secrets or culture with non-Travellers. As with indigenous groups, remember that you are not automatically entitled to knowledge about Traveller culture and understandings.
Resources to help you
My Romani Story, NAEYC (ADULTS ONLY): A personal story about the impact of education on one Romani girl.
Friends, Families, Travellers: A great website for the Traveller community, but with resources others may find helpful or interesting. There are some wonderful publications available (policy based and artistic) as well as a helpful section on how to complain about a politician’s language.
The Traveller Movement: Another brilliant website set up by the community with plenty of video resources. They have a particularly good section with resources for GRT History Month.
“20 Things Roma People are Tired of Hearing” YouTube video (ADULTS ONLY): A great clip about prejudices Roma people frequently encounter. See if you’ve ever asked/thought any of these, then be shocked by others.
Words in Romani dialects, Friends, Families, Travellers website: A downloadable resource showing how to say basic things in different Romani dialects. Fun for kids to learn, plus an opportunity to demonstrate how diverse the Roma community is.
“Roads from the past”, Travellers’ Times Films: A beautiful illustrated film about the history of the Traveller community. If you watch anything, watch this.
“Hotchi”, by Jason and Lisa Smith: A beautiful short film about the intersection of disability and Roma identities. A beautiful push to reconsider your expectations, created by a couple from the Romani community.
Things to watch out for
Appropriate terminology
As discussed above, the politics of naming the GRT community are complex. Children may find this difficult to understand and appreciate. It may be easier to pick one particularly term and stick to it, while making children aware that other terms may come up, or that people from the Traveller community may tell them something else.
The Porajmos
The history of discrimination against the Traveller comunity came to a crescendo during the Nazi occupation of Europe, when 25-50% of the Roma population of Europe were murdered in concentration camps. Some estimates put that number at 75%. The word Porajmos means destruction. The genocide of the Roma community is often forgotten or minimized in broader narratives.
It is important that this aspect of the Holocaust is not avoided, however detailed discussions with children about this topic are likely to be fraught. Be careful about Googling Roma issues with children present as some disturbing details can emerge, which may not be appropriate for children.
Stereotypes, particularly around singing and dancing
While many Traveller communities do have a history of performance as part of their nomadic lifestyle, it has also become part of the stereotype of Travellers - that they love to dance, sing or tell fortunes. Make sure that children understand that while singing, dancing and performance may be a part of Traveller culture, that doesn’t mean that every Traveller person wants or likes to do that.
Plenty of Traveller people decide to do something different with their lives, like becoming President of Brazil, competing in the Paralympics, writing a bestselling book or being a drag queen (yes, I suppose that’s singing and dancing..).