Why is there a stigma about being part gypsy?

Question

or 100% of Gypsy decent. Why?

Answer 1

Oh now that is a big question.

Well, centuries and centuries of mystique, stereotyping, oppression, and whatnot might have contributed to it. We have always been the underclass. We have traditionally lived a lifestyle very different from the Gadje and a bit frightening to the Gadje.

We have not had adequate representation in any government and there are very few Romani activists. We were as persecuted as the Jews in the Holocaust and very few care.

There is a class of criminals, mostly Gadje (non-Gypsy) who are using the word "gypsy" to describe themselves as they perpetrate various criminal activities. These are usually gangs of petty theives and distraction burglars. They are making our reputation even worse. The police and law enforcement agencies are not helping because they are not labelling this crime as other than "gypsy crime".

I think that we have contributed to this, to a degree, by our tradition of Gadje Gadjensa, Rom Romensa (Gadje with Gadje, Rom with Rom). Traditionally we are rather isolationist. Now, if you knew much about us some of the reason for this would be apparent: our history is VERY grim and, especially in Eastern Europe, is still grim, including forced sterilization, inability to get a job because of ethnicity, inadequate or no healthcare, dying very young compared to the Gadje, routine gang beatings, being forced into ghettos, being forced into schools for the "slow", etc.

Hell, it is grim in America.

I tell this one tale about a friend of mine whose mother was beaten savagely and she crawled, bleeding, into a ditch. A policeman found her and asked why she was beaten. She told him that she was beaten because she was a Gypsy. He said something like "well, you are", turned, and walked off leaving her to her fate.

I can tell you many stories like that from these grand United States.

I have gotten it a bit too. I am 3/4 blooded.

In truth, if you met one of us, we are just folks and we are no more prone to steal than anyone else. Yes, more do it in Europe because they have to feed their children under the conditions I have described.

To the guy with the "dot"...

;) I am an American. Never said otherwise. What I have heard about Europe IS secondhand. What I know about America is not. The HOLLERING IN ALL CAPS and multiple exclamation points might have hinted towards an insult. That, and the racist black question. If you were not an *sshole I would apologize.

Oh, learn the concept of "paragaraph indent". That would make your post easier to read.

Answer 2

Ignorance, bias, and misunderstanding. Heck, the very name "gypsy" is indicative of that, as the name comes from the misapprehension that they came from Egypt.

People were afraid of the Roma, and the Roma, historically at least, have not made a habit of integrating into the cultures where they migrate. Thus, mutual mistrust.

Answer 3

Ok, the truth is Gypsys are potraid as clannish, thieving, people. When Gypsys come around hide your goods, and keep your back to the wall...this is the impression I've gotten AND I've never even met a Gypsy.

Answer 4

There is a stereotype about gypsies being thieves and con artists/ street people.

Answer 5

Gypsy's were considered petty criminals on the fringe of society. They also didn't conform to "Christian Values".