Why do the gadji define us?

Really? I mean, REALLY? I had always considered this woman to be an educated professional. Seems I may have been gravely mistaken. 


The book is the latest in the Regan Reilly series with titles like Decked, Popped, and Fleeced. Yesterday I stopped in at my local Barnes and Noble and found this book on a huge display when I first walked in the door. Since I had intended to find the book, the display made it easy, but I was dismayed at just how easy. When I found the manager and pointed to the book, he cringed before I even said anything. "I knew we were going to have trouble with that the moment I saw the cover." Kudos, Mr. Manager, for recognizing the problem. He was sympathetic, but of course has no authority to remove the book.


Today's blog is not about the book itself, but more it is a call to action. As a persecuted minority, we have been forced to accept the definitions others put on us.


Is this really what we are?
I got this from a Google definition: 

A member of a traveling people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and traditionally live by seasonal work, itinerant trade, and fortune-telling. Gypsies are now found mostly in Europe, parts of North Africa, and North America, but are believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent

A nomadic or free-spirited person  


Wiktionary says:   An itinerant person or any person or group with qualities traditionally ascribed to Romani people, including suspected of making a living from dishonest practices or theft etc.; one of a vagabond race, not necessarily Romani.


Well, at least it's good to know that not every Gypsy is a Gypsy. Just the bad ones.

This one comes from wordnetweb.princeton.edu: a member of a people with dark skin and hair who speak Romany and who traditionally live by seasonal work and fortunetelling; they are believed to have originated in northern India but now are living on all continents (but mostly in Europe, North Africa, and North America)


There are pages and pages more from all sorts of 'experts' and not one of them are Romanies. 

Time to Act

We must have control of our own identity. We can not allow non-Romani academics, law enforcement, or 'Gypsiologists' to identify us. We can not allow authors to use such titles or characters without consequences. We can not allow Hollywood to portray us as magical villains who curse people to hell or other such drivel. 


It is time to act. We are being run over by the media who is eager for a good story. Politicians set us up as scapegoats for their own mismanagement of government or to gain votes. I seem to recall Hitler using this same tactic. Racists are using violence to intimidate our people.


The time has come to stand up for what you are and what you believe in and there are so many ways you can do this. Write letters. Educate the outsiders by volunteering to speak in classrooms or at community events. Create events that show your community the truth about us. 


Dr. Ian Hancock told me to never give up. "Do nothing and nothing will change." We need change. We need to help those who can not help themselves. We can not sit back idly as our brothers and sisters in Europe suffer because of ignorance.


If the book "Gypped" offends you, let the author know here


Tired of seeing Criminal Minds "Bloodlines"? Let the network know here


And everyone's favorite, 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding'. There are two links. Go here  or here 


Click on the links. Take a stand.