Arise Roma

Appreciate your feedback, suggestions and critiques on this non-fiction piece. Gelem Gelem!

~

Gypsy is an exonym depicting torturous discrimination, segregation and xenophobia performed against the most hated people in all of Europe.

Famous figures such as Elvis Presley, Rita Hayworth and Charlie Chaplin are all researched to have descendants of this race, believed to be of German and Spanish upbringing.(26) Imagine the impact that knowing the duality of their name could have on Roma growing up today.

Over 80,000 Roma lived in Canada at the beginning of the 21st century, a people slowly gaining confidence to reveal secretive heritage and reclaim their roots through reconciliation globally.(8) In order to provide inclusion, there is a duty to learn their past and create a future where children are proud to be called Roma by fostering inclusivity in Canada and abroad.

Finding balance between the traumatic past and hopeful future is the goal in all nations - wherever Roma call home.

GYPSY

G

GENOCIDE

The Nazis identified Roma as having alien blood or ‘artfremdes Blut’, a justification used for ‘samudaripen’, or the murder of all in Romani.(18) This genocide spanned every sex of all ages before and during World War II, with some estimating 500,0000 to half a million lost lives in the holocaust.(11)

Killing centres and concentration or “gypsy camps” for those out west and central, along with Roma in occupied European regions during Nazi dictatorship, caused much of the population decline and racism faced today.(11)

Thousands of Roma and traveller people battled abuse similar to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada historically, who were inhumanely placed into residential schools led by the Catholic priests. Children were murdered and raped with some spirits hidden in unmarked graves, like the Koori people who faced torture and pain throughout Australia from Christian missionaries led comparable fates.(12)

Each person was raised under European culture, stripping their upbringing and heritage to conform under foreign religion murderously.(13) Now, they’re found living in modern-day discrimination as we fail to learn their historic tragedy presently.(13)

Anti-Roma racism is faced around the world, from Romania’s slums and ghettos all the way to North American river shorelines and law firms where migrants seek asylum to escape.(1)

Separation occurs to this day in the form of segregated “remedial” classes within regular schools across Europe, as well as higher levels of Roma children forced to attend ‘special’ education where their needs are often ignored and talents displaced institutionally.(11, 17)

Y

YIN

Yin energy is passive and cool, aimed to develop a tolerance for discomfort and acceptance of both what is and that to be faced.(9) To ensure their extinction was escaped, this energy was at the forefront of Roma culture during discriminatory actions and hate crimes against.

These poses in yoga cause discomfort both physically and mentally, promoting conformity to pain experienced in the here and now when practicing. The feelings Roma endured cannot be understated after centuries of mistreatment, abuse, slavery and scientific experimentation.

An enigma is what their racism stems from in every space - preventing “racially inferior” bloodlines amongst those labelled untouchable or ‘tsigan’, a misfortunate name felt to this day by an impoverished race.

P

POVERTY

Lacking land and a homestead, they travelled in carts and wagons upon horses and donkeys. Animals and faith paved ways for new beginnings, and each move provided escape for fortunate families here with us today. Present discrimination faced highlights political (mis)treatment of shelter and documentation, along with mental health supports and education allowances - none of which exist to assist these vulnerable communities to live acceptably.

Anti-Roma laws have been in place prior to occupied German territory reigned and genocide faced. ‘Mudaripe’ is what the holocaust is named for the Roma community, comparable to the Jewish population referring to the horrific history as ‘Shoah’ in their language.(27)

Astonishing is the fact that laws against Roma are in existence around Europe even to this day, with a lack of data to account for their people due to mistrust of “Gadže”, or the non-Roma race. Couple this with a lack of institutional care and stringent government policy hindering the unravelling of their truth globally; as if data and statistics are more valuable than those seeking to prevail poverty through honesty and proof vulnerably.(15)

Today, UNICEF believes that many Roma have escaped poverty, but most of the 12 million living in Europe today are in slums lacking basic services they need for care - from healthcare and education to electricity and clean water to drink without boiling.(17) The underwhelming amount of opportunities provided is often due to stereotyped views that policymakers and the public make.(17)

Their poverty and poor living conditions often reinforce hatred, now spanning globally through stereotyped views of their ways. Many lack the birth certificate that signals their right to a whole range of services to escape this tragic state.(17)

S

STERILE SLAVES

Chained with iron bands around their necks while starved for weeks, and forcefully unclothed in the below-zero snow. These are a few of the torturous tactics used by Roma owners and the state, beginning with the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, where modern-day Romania is.(19) Roma were gifts to monasteries and property of landowners, the Church and state - all becoming slaves and bondsmen until most reached a miserable fate.(19)

Chattel slaves were unaccounted for as human beings, but traded around as money to upkeep homes and religious sanctuaries - building more to sustain racist rulers and their bigot families.

Even the infamous Dracula was idolized as a leader for young Romanians, taught about this impaler who attempted to cleanse Wallachian society of undesirable elements including Roma “tent people”.(20) They were seen as lazy peasants, infidels and beggars who represented impurity and unholiness across the Black Sea.

Most Europeans and Nordics viewed the Roma as being unclean or dirty, and so sent them to doctors unwillingly or naively. At the office, each received surgery that would prohibit pregnancy - called forced sterilization.(4)

Commonly done today with cats, dogs and horses to limit reproduction and control populations, it was a standard practice done in pre-WWII 1933 until as late as 2004; even rumoured presently.(4,11) This was stemming from racist physician idealisms of cleanliness through persecution to preserve the Nazi bloodline and cleanly societies.

Women and girls were not alone in suffering this inhumanity. Common torture tactics used against Roma fighting dictatorship or execution was electricity. Shot through unspeakable parts to force confession, the only result being a lack in children still shocking many.(8)

Y

YANG

While yin equates to acceptance of what is, its opposite represents the activity of doing and our attempts to change ourselves and the world around it.(9) The benefits of yang are passion, energy, and drive, yet often counterbalanced by criticism, doubt and irritability of the self and others about.9

A practice that combines yin restorative energy and yang vinyasa energy is likely to be more well-rounded, mentally and physically, whether through yoga or other great activities.(9) Stillness and discomfort brings power, just as vigorous challenge and disciplined execution provides.(9) Though it may require their own form of governing and political stance to influence this sharing and reliance being a solo lineage, it is necessary to achieve this way of being.

ROMA

R

REALPOLITIK

Meaning that we Roma are our own biggest hope, with very few friends whose actions match their words spoke.(4)

“…our leaders must share more than mere words.”(4)

Cultural history has been a mystery, with one PhD stating “I wonder how easy it is for communities to access images from their own pasts, and how much of it is locked away where only academics and experts can find them."(14) This proves it is possible for Roma to open their rightful past and learn from historical truths while properly educating others who exclude.

A fiery future looks to be a supporting community, accomplished through self-determination and knowledge sharing. This community system was enhanced by the creation of a common flag and song “Gelem, Gelem” as the Roma anthem, though not officially.(5)

The vision and beliefs of their abilities create determinism and achieve great things, including some that currently exist which are mistaken or unbelieved to be researched, created or accomplished by a Roma human being. State involvement is necessary to educate and persecute hate, as well as reprimand historic fate to rise against shame.

O

“OPRE”

“Opre, Roma”!

A chant born during the Cold War and recognized at the First World Roma Congress on International Roma Day in April 8, 1971, this message of self-reliance became a key foundation for their community.(6, 29) The motto means “Stand Up, Roma!” or various other translations in the Romani language.(5)

The ‘old country’ of Romania is often thought of when considering Roma. A common myth for their origin land from centuries prior, which was actually known to be India.

Since departing those ancient lands, battle and hardships have constantly been faced. This caused an overarching hate of the world and cultural disconnect from it, less a fortunate few who make it through the invisible glass ceiling.

History was lost as they passed the boundaries of Europe, each empire and democracy trying to destroy the Traveller culture and conform it to Christian or other religious ways. Let us tell the Roma’s story presently as a force of light for the community, a bolt shocking the system suddenly.

M

MILITIA

Many Roma today struggle to understand why they cannot start a family, forgetting or misunderstanding the abuse faced through camps and chambers that forced their genitalia to fail tragically. In first-world countries, Roma live in third-world conditions on the outskirts of the society from which they are often forcibly displaced.(24)

Mistreatment and abuse has motivated the Roma to seek refuge in their own groups, formating self-reliance organizations to fight for rights within governments who ignore them blatantly.(25) This is all done despite being non-militarized, nor politically recognized for the racism Roma face is lacking care, yet hope throughout societies is prevailing at scale.

Imagined for Roma starting yesterday and beyond the future, of today for generations far past reach is safe healing. From the past neglect and racism faced, to repair and prepare a better today as a stepping stone for future artisans, policymakers and science and technologists abound to thrive in.

A

ARTISAN

Pioneers of merchants, craftsmanship and spiritual healers through song, dance and giving back to mother earth and others within. Roma gained skills and abilities unlike any other group, from their sheer amount of travel through time and landscapes. Providing incomparable knowledge for generations thereafter, much of it being recovered today and thriving.

Flamenco dance and song originating in Spain, which lights the spirits of the Gitano Roma, young and old around the world aflame.(22) The soul of this is not felt in large halls but small bars and cafes, where people can connect blissfully without barriers of limiting restrictions of space.(8) Song, dance and play all connect to this triangular display of beauty their culture emits on display.

“You don’t play flamenco - You are flamenco. Flamenco is our blues.”(8)

Many other talented artists during the 18th to 20th century include violinists to jazz players, harpists and filmmakers.(23)

Even mathematicians, PhD biologists and chemists, including a duo of sisters with whom their brains were necessary to work in weaponry for the Soviet Union unwillingly.(23) Athletes also included in this, from football players infamous in their days and a boxer exploited during the regime due to his relentless talent exclaimed.(23)

“Are we Gypsies? No -

We are Roma”(8)

~

Copyright © 2023 by Kalina Bethany. All rights reserved.

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References

1. Lowrie, Morgan. “Romanian family's dream of life in Canada ended tragically in waters off Akwesasne.” CBC News. (2023). https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/iordache-family-dream-tragic-end-1.6802638
2. Szeto, Winston. “Former Kamloops radio host Stan Bailly dies of complications from COVID-19 at 74.” CBC News. (2021). https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/kamloops-radio-host-stan-bailly-covid-complications-1.6294620
3. USC Shoah Foundation. “Their name: Roma? Sinto? Gypsy?” Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. n.d. https://sfi.usc.edu/education/roma-sinti/en/conosciamo-i-roma-e-i-sinti/chi-sono/da-dove-vengono-il-nome/il-nome-rom-sinto-zingaro.php
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16. Committee of Ministers. “Recommendation CM/Rec(2020)2 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the inclusion of the history of Roma and/or Travellers in school curricula and teaching materials.”Council of Europe. (2020). https://search.coe.int/cm/Pages/result_details.aspx?ObjectId=09000016809ee48c
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27. Matache, Margareta et. al. “The Roma Holocaust/Roma Genocide in Southeastern Europe.” Harvard University. (2022). https://fxb.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2464/2022/11/The-Roma-Holocaust-Roma-Genocide-in-Southeastern-Europe-Report-1.pdf
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29. McVegas,Craig. “International Roma Day: 7 Things You Might Not Know About The Romani.” Novara Media. (2014). https://novaramedia.com/2014/04/08/international-roma-day-7-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-romani/#:~:text=Opre%20Roma!,a%20title%20for%20the%20song.