Stereotypes

Stereotypes surrounding Roma people are prevalent, including the mysterious fortune teller caricature,"free spirited wanderer", and sly thief. These stereotypes are harmful to real Roma people, and perpetuate misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Romani culture that has maintained institution racism and discrimination towards Roma around the world, but especially in Europe.

"Free Spirit"- To many Americans, the term "Gypsy" refers to a nomadic free-spirit, regardless of their ethnicity. This idea denies the existence of Roma as an ethnic group, it is a misinterpretation of the meaning of "Gypsy" which actually refers to the Roma, not just any nomad. The random labeling of a certain lifestyle as "Gypsy" perpetuates the idea that to be Roma, or "Gypsy", one has to move and live their life in a certain style- it denies Roma people the freedom to be individuals. Many Roma were forced to live a nomadic lifestyle due to discrimination against them- the romanticized idea of a "free spirited gypsy" roaming around the countryside is incorrect, and it paints a very untrue picture of the way Romani people live their life.

The "Fortune Teller"- Another popular stereotype actually has some truth to it, many Roma women help support their families through fortune-telling, and fortune-telling or divination is a tradition for many Roma women, who only tell the fortunes of the Gadjo (non-Roma people). However, to portray all Roma as mysterious fortune-tellers with crystal balls is exotifying, and contributes to the marginalization of Roma by "othering" them and putting them in boxes.

The Mysterious/Evil/Sly Thief Character- One of the more nefarious Roma stereotypes, this is a variation of the "fortune-teller" stereotype, with an evil twist. This stereotype usually involves an old Roma woman who is usually decrepit placing a "gypsy curse" on someone in order to enact what is always portrayed as unjust revenge. The is clearly harmful and promotes fearing Roma, further ostracizing them over ridiculous fears that a Roma person will "put a curse" on someone. Romani people already face extraordfinary discrimination and poverty in Europe, and stereotypes like these that paint Roma people as unscrupulous, untrustworthy, and exotic, contribute to this racism.

#gypsy #fortune #freespirit #boho