Gypsy's has anyone ever met a real one ??

Oh man, horror movies are the main offenders for hat kind of gypsy! It is interesting how those roots of stereotypes get so obscured by time that soon you end up with stereotypes of stereotypes and people who would never be able to tie them with their original source. Hollywood Vodun/Voodoo reminds me of this, in particular when looking at zombies. The old zombi movies very much knew the root of the stereotypes they were using and had really direct, negative connotations about specific groups of people, but now zombies have grown to reflect our modern fears (radioactive bomb zombies to animal testing rage zombies to plague zombies) so much that the fear of the non-Christian root source is often completely absent in the modern zombie. Like you said, it is interesting when people take on labels and identities that are also far-removed stereotypes, positive or negative, like folks who take on Native American labels because they joined a drum circle and love nature, and that is what it is all about as far as their mental image of "Native American" goes.

The information you have shared about the Roma people really helps show why the term "gypsy" can evoke such strong feelings, and how terms relate to devastating discrimination and malignment of groups of people. Your point about insular cultures and groups especially demonstrates some of the struggles faced in overcoming barriers and divides. Excellent information and points that encourage rumination and discussion about both the Roma and about stereotypes and prejudice in general.

punk-a-doodle said:

Oh man, horror movies are the main offenders for hat kind of gypsy! It is interesting how those roots of stereotypes get so obscured by time that soon you end up with stereotypes of stereotypes and people who would never be able to tie them with their original source. Hollywood Vodun/Voodoo reminds me of this, in particular when looking at zombies. The old zombi movies very much knew the root of the stereotypes they were using and had really direct, negative connotations about specific groups of people, but now zombies have grown to reflect our modern fears (radioactive bomb zombies to animal testing rage zombies to plague zombies) so much that the fear of the non-Christian root source is often completely absent in the modern zombie. Like you said, it is interesting when people take on labels and identities that are also far-removed stereotypes, positive or negative, like folks who take on Native American labels because they joined a drum circle and love nature, and that is what it is all about as far as their mental image of "Native American" goes.

The information you have shared about the Roma people really helps show why the term "gypsy" can evoke such strong feelings, and how terms relate to devastating discrimination and malignment of groups of people. Your point about insular cultures and groups especially demonstrates some of the struggles faced in overcoming barriers and divides. Excellent information and points that encourage rumination and discussion about both the Roma and about stereotypes and prejudice in general.

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Thank you. I have grown strangely passionate about their plight over the years. It started out with a discussion with my now close friend online 12 years ago. We spent hours debating and talking about history. Eventually I helped her and her human rights group on a few projects and she helped me on mine. Soon the Native Rights became as important to her as the Romani rights became to me.

It is hard not to become passionate about these things. As I delved into the history and culture of these people while getting to know them on a personal level I couldn't help but become passionate about their plight. They are a beautiful and diverse people. There are aspects of their culture that I love, and strongly dislike. Like with all cultures.

Fun fact: Never use the term "Gyped" around a Roma. as in " I only got one cookie! What a gyp!" it comes from the term "Gypsy". Since the stereotype is that Gypsies will steal you blind. It's a slur.

KristyHall said:

Famous Romani

Charlie Chaplin (Yup THAT Charlie Chaplin). He was born on a traveling Caravan.

Elvis Presley (Yup That elvis) Who's family came over to the us in the 18th century. His ancestors were Sinti.

Rickie Lee Jones

Michael Caine

Mother Teresa (From an Albanian Roma family)

Django Reinhardt

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There is no proof that Elvis has sinti blood. On his mother side he has Cherokee. He also has german , irish and many other countries, but no gypsy.

I have never read so much drivel in my life about Gypsies - none of you would recognise one if you fell over them
you have mentioned every sort but real Gypsy -
they settled in Britain in the 1500's and before from who knows where -

1 - they are NOT Roma - that is European Gypsies
2 - they are NOT Irish Travellers
3 - they are NOT the hippy new age traveller drop outs
4 - Romany Gypsy is born with the blood of generations of Gypsy in their ancestry - there is NO other way to be one

some of the so called practices you seem to think they have is insulting

REAL Romany or Gypsy which ever you prefer are educated and many have University Degrees including Masters and Doctorate and on the whole integrated - they are on the whole - healthy and well educated

they can be your Doctor - Nurse - Teacher - Accountant - your Veteran - Local farmer - your beauty therapist or Services personnel - etc - 0h and they may even be your neighbour

they were sent to The Colonies in the 1600's to 1775 often as slaves or transported - some remained through choice as it was a freer land than England of the time . They freely emigrated there in the 1800 and 1900's with no problems and can still enter the country at any time of their choosing

they do tend to stay in family groups or in close contact with family

there are practices many of the old style Gypsy's wont tolerate even now - for instance - dogs in bedrooms or in some cases even in the house - allowing dogs to use the same dishes as family - allowing dogs to lick faces - dogs remain animals and not 'fur babies ' who get dressed in ridiculous outfits and carried round in handbags - I do have to say some of the younger more modern Gypsies have these little dogs and are silly with them

by the way Elvis Presley was NOT a Gypsy but of German / Cherokee ancestry -

neither was Charlie Chaplin either - do some research on both of them please before making ridiculous claims

Before talking about Gypsies decide which group you are going to be talking about

how do I know so much you ask - I am one of those real old Gypsy's though we use the term Romany now -

ROMANI is the language

I hope that this helps remove some of the ignorance on Romany Gypsy's