A Utah woman slams Romani discrimination erasure, stating that many aren’t aware it’s even happening, nor do they know a common word is considered a slur. She details the oppression and mistreatment of the Romani people, who are “often swept under the rug.” She describes the segregation, harassment, and housing discrimination the Romani people face to this day.
The woman explains that the Romani people became nomadic after being “forced out of a bunch of places.” This was often due to the “extreme racism and discrimination that they faced.” They are often falsely associated with witchcraft and thievery. Given the amount of discrimination experienced, the Utah woman finds it “insane how little it’s talked about.” The example she provides is that in certain European regions, Romani children are forbidden from attending school.
She points out that a certain word, which is normalized by the media, is considered a slur. This word is in the title of a famous Cher song. The actual culture and people tend to be erased, with the media instead depicting an exaggeration. This includes an “extra over-sexualization of Romani women.” The Utah woman also cites their “portrayal of beggars and thieves” as the usual depiction used in TV and film. She describes that in 1993, in Romania, several Romani people were attacked and had their houses set on fire. They continue to face housing discrimination and segregation.
Utah Woman Makes Many Feel Seen
Half a million Romani people were killed during World War II, with designated camps and sections set up for them. This was not acknowledged until 1982. Despite half a million Romani people currently living in the world, they are not formally recognized. The Utah woman’s belief that “all forms of oppression and racism need to be called out” has caught attention and brought this knowledge into conversation.
Many are grateful that the Utah woman is shining a light on these issues, saying, “Thank you for speaking up for us.” Another agrees, “You [are] a good person. Thank you [for] doing it for us.” She has made several feel-seen, such as a comment that reads, “Thank you for acknowledging our history.” One acknowledges what she says with their own experiences: “I still face discrimination every single day because of my heritage.” Another agrees, adding, “It’s so rare for you to hold THIS amount of correct information about us and what we went through.”
Others applaud her for speaking out, “Girl, you just got a new follower out of me. Love history and learning more about history.” Another suggests that she should “start making [a] podcast.” Many agree, with one saying, “Thank u girlie, for speaking on this.” Another makes an interesting observation, “Genuinely, you teach me more than my history teacher.” One commenter is baffled, stating, “I’ve never understood why it never gets acknowledged in schools even though it’s still going on.”
