Postmodern Critic
Morgan Bell
Jeff MusallThe Roma People and Bulgarian Racism
July 18th 2008 12:38
Have you heard of the Roma? No, I'm not talking about the Italian word for Rome - I'm talking about a group of people with Indian origins who have immigrated to numerous other continents, including Europe. Bulgaria currently holds the largest percentage of Roma in its population, at an estimated 4.7% of its 8 million or so inhabitants. That's a pretty significant minority, and yet, according to Wikipedia, many are afraid to disclose their race in the census for fear of discrimination. The Bulgarians are not shy about telling you about the hatred they feel for the Roma.
They refuse to work, they say. (Roma unemployment is very high.) They refuse to assimilate into the culture, they say. Have they ever considered that the Roma often can't get work because nobody wants to hire them? Or that the Bulgarians are too prejudiced to open up to them and permit them to work on a joint, harmonious culture? Bulgarians tend to believe that all Roma are lazy, morally loose, criminally inclined and a pest. How do the Roma react? They stick to their own, some turn to illegal activities and to crime and do not open up the Slavs either. As a result each group's prejudices against the other intensifies as stereotypes are recreated.
Unlike in multicultural nations like Australia, England, Canada and USA, the racism is not disguised or even thinly veiled. Bulgarians have no qualms about insulting the Roma on the colour of their skin, just as they still call black people 'niggers' (the Bulgarian equivalent) and in a country which is about 95% ethnically homogenous there are few people who advocate tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
Just take a read of this, from website Vagabond:
Most Bulgarians encounter problems dealing with their insurance companies. They may have miserable experiences with the state health and pension systems. But, usually, in spite of these and other complaints, it's the Roma or Turkish minorities who become the scapegoats for their woes. Several factors influence discriminatory attitudes in Bulgaria. One of the most insidious is the stirring up of intolerance by populist politicians and opinion makers, who exploit traditional prejudices.
Bigoted attitudes are not unique to Bulgaria. However, the country's history of isolation under Communism means that it lacks experience in accommodating different groups. Blatantly racist behaviour and language, unacceptable in most Western societies, are a regular part of public discourse. Even Bulgaria's establishment has described Gypsies in terms that would have caused public outrage in the West.
Such attitudes strangely coexist with a new optimism in the country. Many Bulgarians believe they are on the road to “normality”. The brutal and perverse Communist regime has gone. The devastating social and economic conditions that ruined so many lives are being swept aside. Poverty is being tackled. Above all, EU membership promises a bright future. Yet, in spite of economic improvement and democracy, recent polls show that Bulgaria's ethnic and religious groups are more divided than ever.
The state seems unable or unwilling to address these divisions. After 1989, all ethnic groups regained their human rights. Ironically, the freedom to speak and study their languages, practise their religion and enjoy political representation seems to have exacerbated tensions.
Bulgaria's leaders intone platitudes about their society's “natural ethnic tolerance”. But Valentin Danchev, a political analyst and sociologist, believes that this just “allows some Bulgarians to indulge in offensive behaviour while flattering themselves for their ethnic tolerance”.
A significant number of Bulgarians hold completely unacceptable views of minorities. Nationalism is firmly entrenched in Bulgaria's political life, as shown by Ataka, the extremist party whose rhetoric has poisoned the mainstream. Racism and intolerance can be seen everywhere – in the media and in political debates and activities – and offenders often seem unaware of the harm they do.
Take one example: Bulgaria's hostility to what in America is known as “affirmative action”. Taxpayers complain that they foot the bill for the comfort of “lazy” minorities. That view dominates ordinary conversation, public forums and news publications. “Taxpayers' money will continue to support Gypsies,” read one comment under an article about new social housing for Roma families in Plovdiv. “It would have been better, just for a change, to help young Bulgarian families with two or more children, but it seems the state cares more about the Gypsies!” Even a government minister was heard using this kind of language. Emilia Maslarova, Social Affairs Minister, said that she wished she were Roma, so she would not have to pay her utility bills.
More and more people blame minorities for their problems. The truth is very different. Bulgarians are regularly harassed by other Bulgarians, not by minorities. The police often protect criminals. Ordinary citizens have been intimidated by mutri, drug dealers and corrupt officials for years. However, very few Bulgarians have ever been attacked by Gypsies. Yet the idea that the Roma are all criminals is an article of faith among most people. The belief that the Muslim minority cannot be trusted, that it could unleash a terrorist tidal wave overnight, is also gaining ground.
The far right's populist rhetoric touches on all of these themes. “Insolent Gypsy Robs Innocent English Tourist” is an all-too-typical recent headline from Ataka's newspaper. Ataka politicians, and their fellow travellers in the media, claim that such talk wins votes because it voices people's feelings. Yet their rhetoric also influences opinion. And so the vicious cycle continues. An Alpha Research poll taken last March showed that more people than ever, 32 percent, view ethnic conflict in Bulgaria as increasingly likely. An even higher figure, 38 percent, believe that the conflict would occur between ethnic Bulgarians and the Roma.
Despite this structural discrimination, the Roma continue to inspire with their music and performances. Gay popfolk singer Azis continues to push barriers of what is deemed socially acceptable in what is a very homophobic society, despite the successful introduction of a Gay Pride Parade in Sofia in June this year.
Flamenco is a very expressive style of dance which originated amongst the Spanish Roma population, and is now savoured all around Europe. It speaks of a staunch resistance to the oppression the Roma face in day-to-day life from a majority of the population.
How do you deal with a whole nation of racist people (Bulgarians don't even realise they are being racist, it is so common to heap slurs upon the Roma)? When I found my family trying to justify their horrendous attitudes towards people they have never tried to sympathise with and unfairly accuse of all sorts of crimes (from the petty to the more serious), I refused to talk to them. I doubt they will change their views, but at least they know that I don't like theim and won't sit at the same table with them while they calmly try to tell me why it's normal to typecast an entire race.
Those of us lucky enough to live in a developed multicultural country can act as role models to indoctrinated Bulgarians who are nevertheless looking for a way out of their prejudices. After all, who wants to hate? Next time you are around a Bulgarian or Bulgarians, express your dissatisfaction with the treatment of the Roma in their country. Who knows, one day they might take note.
2007 Roma Festival (in Prague)
They refuse to work, they say. (Roma unemployment is very high.) They refuse to assimilate into the culture, they say. Have they ever considered that the Roma often can't get work because nobody wants to hire them? Or that the Bulgarians are too prejudiced to open up to them and permit them to work on a joint, harmonious culture? Bulgarians tend to believe that all Roma are lazy, morally loose, criminally inclined and a pest. How do the Roma react? They stick to their own, some turn to illegal activities and to crime and do not open up the Slavs either. As a result each group's prejudices against the other intensifies as stereotypes are recreated.
Roma people in Bulgaria
Unlike in multicultural nations like Australia, England, Canada and USA, the racism is not disguised or even thinly veiled. Bulgarians have no qualms about insulting the Roma on the colour of their skin, just as they still call black people 'niggers' (the Bulgarian equivalent) and in a country which is about 95% ethnically homogenous there are few people who advocate tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
Just take a read of this, from website Vagabond:
Most Bulgarians encounter problems dealing with their insurance companies. They may have miserable experiences with the state health and pension systems. But, usually, in spite of these and other complaints, it's the Roma or Turkish minorities who become the scapegoats for their woes. Several factors influence discriminatory attitudes in Bulgaria. One of the most insidious is the stirring up of intolerance by populist politicians and opinion makers, who exploit traditional prejudices.
Bigoted attitudes are not unique to Bulgaria. However, the country's history of isolation under Communism means that it lacks experience in accommodating different groups. Blatantly racist behaviour and language, unacceptable in most Western societies, are a regular part of public discourse. Even Bulgaria's establishment has described Gypsies in terms that would have caused public outrage in the West.
Such attitudes strangely coexist with a new optimism in the country. Many Bulgarians believe they are on the road to “normality”. The brutal and perverse Communist regime has gone. The devastating social and economic conditions that ruined so many lives are being swept aside. Poverty is being tackled. Above all, EU membership promises a bright future. Yet, in spite of economic improvement and democracy, recent polls show that Bulgaria's ethnic and religious groups are more divided than ever.
The state seems unable or unwilling to address these divisions. After 1989, all ethnic groups regained their human rights. Ironically, the freedom to speak and study their languages, practise their religion and enjoy political representation seems to have exacerbated tensions.
Bulgaria's leaders intone platitudes about their society's “natural ethnic tolerance”. But Valentin Danchev, a political analyst and sociologist, believes that this just “allows some Bulgarians to indulge in offensive behaviour while flattering themselves for their ethnic tolerance”.
A significant number of Bulgarians hold completely unacceptable views of minorities. Nationalism is firmly entrenched in Bulgaria's political life, as shown by Ataka, the extremist party whose rhetoric has poisoned the mainstream. Racism and intolerance can be seen everywhere – in the media and in political debates and activities – and offenders often seem unaware of the harm they do.
Take one example: Bulgaria's hostility to what in America is known as “affirmative action”. Taxpayers complain that they foot the bill for the comfort of “lazy” minorities. That view dominates ordinary conversation, public forums and news publications. “Taxpayers' money will continue to support Gypsies,” read one comment under an article about new social housing for Roma families in Plovdiv. “It would have been better, just for a change, to help young Bulgarian families with two or more children, but it seems the state cares more about the Gypsies!” Even a government minister was heard using this kind of language. Emilia Maslarova, Social Affairs Minister, said that she wished she were Roma, so she would not have to pay her utility bills.
More and more people blame minorities for their problems. The truth is very different. Bulgarians are regularly harassed by other Bulgarians, not by minorities. The police often protect criminals. Ordinary citizens have been intimidated by mutri, drug dealers and corrupt officials for years. However, very few Bulgarians have ever been attacked by Gypsies. Yet the idea that the Roma are all criminals is an article of faith among most people. The belief that the Muslim minority cannot be trusted, that it could unleash a terrorist tidal wave overnight, is also gaining ground.
The far right's populist rhetoric touches on all of these themes. “Insolent Gypsy Robs Innocent English Tourist” is an all-too-typical recent headline from Ataka's newspaper. Ataka politicians, and their fellow travellers in the media, claim that such talk wins votes because it voices people's feelings. Yet their rhetoric also influences opinion. And so the vicious cycle continues. An Alpha Research poll taken last March showed that more people than ever, 32 percent, view ethnic conflict in Bulgaria as increasingly likely. An even higher figure, 38 percent, believe that the conflict would occur between ethnic Bulgarians and the Roma.
Despite this structural discrimination, the Roma continue to inspire with their music and performances. Gay popfolk singer Azis continues to push barriers of what is deemed socially acceptable in what is a very homophobic society, despite the successful introduction of a Gay Pride Parade in Sofia in June this year.
Flamenco is a very expressive style of dance which originated amongst the Spanish Roma population, and is now savoured all around Europe. It speaks of a staunch resistance to the oppression the Roma face in day-to-day life from a majority of the population.
How do you deal with a whole nation of racist people (Bulgarians don't even realise they are being racist, it is so common to heap slurs upon the Roma)? When I found my family trying to justify their horrendous attitudes towards people they have never tried to sympathise with and unfairly accuse of all sorts of crimes (from the petty to the more serious), I refused to talk to them. I doubt they will change their views, but at least they know that I don't like theim and won't sit at the same table with them while they calmly try to tell me why it's normal to typecast an entire race.
Those of us lucky enough to live in a developed multicultural country can act as role models to indoctrinated Bulgarians who are nevertheless looking for a way out of their prejudices. After all, who wants to hate? Next time you are around a Bulgarian or Bulgarians, express your dissatisfaction with the treatment of the Roma in their country. Who knows, one day they might take note.
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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great research!
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by British, but not living in England, amazingly.
Either that, or you have chosen to ignore the 3 other, equally multicultural countries that make up Britain.
Which one is it ??????????
Do you refer to the USA as just New York, or Alabama? Do you refer to Europe as France? "The language spoken throughout Europe is Swedish?" Europe is currently at war with Europe?
If you drove all the way to the top of England, then drove some more, would you fall into the North Sea? Or would you stay on a road going to this mystical new found land that goes by the name of Scotland?
And what about Canada? Why did you point out USA as being multicultural and not the wider, 'North America'.
Do you have some sort of problem with acknowledging Canada ?
quick point : bulgarians WOULD be attacked more regularly by fellow bulgerians due to the population balance alone.
I do not know how the 'Roma people' act in Bulgeria but over here they are breaking the law just by living the way they are. Disregarding and disrespecting what everyone else HAS to do, not chooses to do. And somehow getting away with it.
That's the one and only problem I (and everyone I know) have with any 'gypsy' people. ANY people who do not pay taxes, and take over land that is not theirs, yet claim it as their own etc will be looked down upon.
Another thing I want to point out is that your statistic is completely useless. 32%...?
32% of what? of who? How many people did they survey? Who did they survey?
I can walk outside my door and make a poll on the moon hoax theory.
I ask 2 passing people if they believe the moon landing was real. One says yes, the other says no.
This is the result: 50% of people in my country think the moon landing was a hoax.
This obviously backs up my theory that people are as confused as ever on the issue....
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
If you read that sentence again you will see that it reads:
Unlike in multicultural nations LIKE Australia, England, Canada and USA, the racism is not disguised or even thinly veiled.
I was not attempting to list all the multi-cultural nations out there, which would include, yes, Scotland, Wales, North Ireland, Ireland, Malaysia and probably others I can't think of right now, I was just giving the examples that most immediately came into my head. Co-incidentally, I have also been to all of the countries I listed. I didn't list New Zealand, though, even though I have visited - it just didn't come to mind. That doesn't mean I was deliberately excluding it, like I said, it would have taken me too much time to look up a list of all teh countries in the world that were multicultural, and that's not what the main focus of the post is.
I don't know what your issues with the 32% statistic are, because the article clearly indicates the source of this statistic: An Alpha Research poll taken last March
That should be enough information for you to get your hands on the company and the news briefing, if you really wanted to.
It's spelt Bulgaria, maybe you should take your own advice and study geography a bit more.
My post was about racist attitudes towards the Roma in Bulgaria, which are abundant, and no amount of law-breaking justifies.
I have no idea what you mean by saying that Bulgarians would be attacked by other Bulgarians because of the population balance, btu quite frankly I don't care, because you have jumped to conclusions about my work, been antagonistic about it, and anyone who is not sympathetic about a group suffering from systemic racism doesn't have an opinion I want to read.
Sucks to be you, I guess.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous123
I think Bulgarians complain because they are being inconvenienced by the ways of the Roma people. If they want to solve it, then they should teach the Roma to be better people, and let them feel that they don't have to experience this kind of poverty. Education helps a lot. Teach them how to make a living for themselves, decent ways. Maybe the races who have the upper hand are just too lazy to reach out.
Comment by Jarrod Williamson
I think if any reason, it is the unwecoming people that turns honest travelers into criminals.
Comment by Jarrod Williamson
I think if any reason, it is the unwecoming people that turns honest travelers into criminals.
Comment by orbledagain
I think it's also important to acknowledge that this is not a Bulgarian issue. The Roma are descriminated against globally. I often find that in the West (although I am really only referring to my experiences in Canada, and the US) people hold just as many stereotypes. Here, the Roma are more often exoticized and thought of almost as mythical creatures. The reason why most of us do not see this as a serious problem is demographics. People in North America just do not have as many opportunities to be racist against the Roma.
I think the best approach for dealing with the issue is to discuss it on the larger scale. Don't make it about Bulgarians being racist, but about people, in general, being racist. I really liked what you said about racism in Bulgaria being "not even thinly veiled." Often in North America, that's exactly what racism is - thinly veiled. And because of this, we often have this sense that we are so much more socially "developed" and "refined." I think if you acknowledge that you also come from a society with a rich history of racism and that this is why you find it horrifying and offensive, it will be much easier to reach people.
Comment by orbledagain
I think it's also important to acknowledge that this is not a Bulgarian issue. The Roma are descriminated against globally. I often find that in the West (although I am really only referring to my experiences in Canada, and the US) people hold just as many stereotypes. Here, the Roma are more often exoticized and thought of almost as mythical creatures. The reason why most of us do not see this as a serious problem is demographics. People in North America just do not have as many opportunities to be racist against the Roma.
I think the best approach for dealing with the issue is to discuss it on the larger scale. Don't make it about Bulgarians being racist, but about people, in general, being racist. I really liked what you said about racism in Bulgaria being "not even thinly veiled." Often in North America, that's exactly what racism is - thinly veiled. And because of this, we often have this sense that we are so much more socially "developed" and "refined." I think if you acknowledge that you also come from a society with a rich history of racism and that this is why you find it horrifying and offensive, it will be much easier to reach people.
Comment by Anonymous
What's more- I can give you many examples of Bulgarians helping them and receiving muck in response. Do you know how many new blocks of flats have been built to house the so called "Roma" people? Do you know how these buildings and the surrounding areas look like only after 4 months? Devastated!!!!!!! Without windows, roofs. With fireplaces on the balcons and with piles of rubbish on the yards....
OK- they aren't guilty for being born gypsies... OK- since you live in such a poverty why on hell do you give a birth to let's say- 8 children??? Or you say that it comes from their lack of education. I don't think so... The orphand homes are full with gypsies. These children are raised with our money... While their parents are doing child after child... How am I able to call them : people?
It is not true that Roma children are not given chance for education. There are hundreds of projects helping them to go to school. People, I have studied with about 6 Roma children till 7th grade. They are not only lazy but also have no desire to learn anything. I know some kids that did well at school.... but still they are not able to do as well as we do. How to say it- they are naturally stupid. They try and try, but just can't learn a simple thing. And that is in all of them- not one or two cases.
You say that they are discriminized- do you know? I feel like that. I feel discriminised in my own country. In my town there are about 4 000 gypsies from 22 00 total population. When I have a walk alone I dare to walk only where it is lively and there are other people. And when it happens to meet gypsy men even a small 7-year-old boy, I always receive a "nice" offer for romantic experience, pronounced in a mix of Bulgarian, Turkish and Gypsy language.... How do you call people that can't learn the language of the country they have lived since they were born, by the way?
They say that Bulgarians are not open-hearted people and can't accept the different. A big lie- there are Turk, Armenian, Vlachian, Jews and other minorities-- they are entangled with us and in the same time preserving their culture. so- why do they can, but gypsies not? Who is the guilt one here? Was Bulgaria one of the countries that saved the Jews living in it during the World war 2? Bulgaria is defending its minorities, but not those that don't deserve this, sorry.
I don't wish to anybody to live near such people. 'Cause all in all- it is not only in Bulgaria. Gypsies are everywhere and nowhere are they well-accepted. Well- I don't think that the guilt is in the other people.
With the tendency of an average Bulgarian family having only one or two, up to three children and in the same time a Roma one- up to 12.... soon my country will comprise more black and uneducated people than normal ones. I think every of you would feel an anger if it comes word for your own country...
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
You pointed out that:
For one, they probably have become what they are because of the way they have always been treated.
A good comparison might be made with the status of African Americans in the US. They are a much larger minority, yet because they have been historically beaten down by the dominant culture, they tend to have lower self esteem, lower levels of literacy and higher education, higher poverty levels, larger families (due to less education on how to prevent pregnancy) and a lower standard of living than white Americans.
Your point that both communities need to change their behaviour is a great one as well. I think the best way to start is through education: Young ethnic Bulgarians need to be taught not to discriminate on the basis of colour or ethnicity. If they find the right intellectual tools then eventually this will become less and lss of a problem, like African Americans are constantly gaining new opportunties right now.
I think there needs to be greater interaction between the two groups, so that the Bulgarians can see that they're individuals with their own advantages and disadantages, not a group that should inspire terror and derision. The Roma would also learn some positive things from the Bulgarians, and fight harder to achieve social and workplace equality. Complacency isn't going to win them much favour.
Maybe we can get the Roma to create schools for each other, helped by the government, but somehow there needs to be more integration with the outside community.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
I believe Roma people deserve to have the same rights as everybody else and should be treated with the same amount of respect reserved for your average Bulgarian.
You said:
I think if any reason, it is the unwecoming people that turns honest travelers into criminals.
I both agree and disagree. I agree that nfavourable conditions are likely to lead to a floundering of the people, but it is also up to the people to be innovative and find their own way of working themselves into society, winning over the hearts and minds of the people. Adaptation can be a saving force - not by taking on the bad things, but by taking on the good.
So, like 123 said, the Roma need to be just as careful as the ethnic Bulgarians, and wor just as hard to overcome the barriers that have created such hostility.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
You make great points. I am not, to my knowledge, considered culturally condescending to my family - just 'out of touch with reality'. They have no concept for the sensitivity to issues of racial intolerance that has been cultivated by many countries in the West, and so I get fed up quite quickly.
Thanks for the tips about emphasising that racism is not a solely Bulgarian practice (I've never considered it to be). I do think there are stark differences between people's attitudes in Canada and people's attitudes in Bg when it comes to non-Caucasian identities, which is why I like to focus on the specific issues.
I wrote this article because I am originally Bulgarian and I can only speak for my experiences in Bulgaria, as I'm not familiar with how other countries have approached the Roma.
Thanks for your comment.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
I live in Bulgaria. I assure you that racism is highly justified...
Racism is discrimination based on race. It is the product of fear and ignorance, and is never even remotely justified.
First of all, it is not because of the discrimination gypsies don't work. The majority of them don't let their children to school.
I'm sure this is because a) they are subject to racism there b) they have little hope of integrating into the community so they don't even try.
Would you want to go to a school where everybody had a bad opinion of Bulgarians? I don't think so.
And- what can work a person that is not able to read, write and who don't even recognize the time and date? Would you hire such person?
There are plenty of jobs for unskilled labourers.
What's more- I can give you many examples of Bulgarians helping them and receiving muck in response. Do you know how many new blocks of flats have been built to house the so called "Roma" people? Do you know how these buildings and the surrounding areas look like only after 4 months? Devastated!!!!!!! Without windows, roofs. With fireplaces on the balcons and with piles of rubbish on the yards....
Well, if you have never been treated as worthy of being given housing, you might not adapt to it very well either. My guess is that the people were distrustful that they could keep the spaces, and so dismantled them. Education would help the Roma take better care in their surroundings, become more orderly. It's imoprtant that they continue to feel that the government supports them.
OK- they aren't guilty for being born gypsies... OK- since you live in such a poverty why on hell do you give a birth to let's say- 8 children???
I learnt about sex education in school. I learnt that there were many different forms of contraception there, not just condoms, for instance. If I hadn't gone to school, I wouldn't know about it, and that is what has happened to the Roma. It's not like they are more promiscuous than anyone else, they just don't protect themselves frm unwanted pregnancy as much.
How am I able to call them : people?
If you have a lot of children and you are poor, you are probably not going to be able to look after all of them. I don't think anyone wants to send their child to an orphanage, but unfortunately if you don't have the means to take care of your child, then you are better off leaving it in the hands of trained professionals in a government orphanage.
The Roma ARE people - they are peole experiencing difficulty, and instead of insulting them you should try to understand why. It's very difficult to be an outsider when the people think your skn colour means you are inferior to them. If tables were turned and it was white people living in Asia, Africa and Latin America, it would be the coloured people who would consider them inferior. It's all about economics, fear and hatred. Don't be like everyone else. Be a nonconformist.
I have to finish this comment for now, I'll write back on the rest of your message some other time.
Comment by Anonymous
I agree with some of the criticism you snowed me over. You are right for a person observing the situation watching from outside. Personally, I think that you can't talk about it before getting known with such people personally.
I have only a few things to say/write that you couldn't know about them
Let's start with the school. Well- nowadays' children are more informed and open-hearted than before, at least here. They know very well what's the situation with poor people and that we should help them. So- they accept gypsies and I firmly stay behind my words. I have also experienced that. When we had gypsies at class, who behaved well and were curious about what's going on in the books we not only accepted them, but also helped them and even played with them outside school. So you are not right about that.
About the sexual education- at school it is learned about 8th grade. I knew how to keep myself safe long before that. From my parents,friends, books... What defers us from the animals is that we chose to do what we have to instead of following the natural needs. SO- if you can't take care of children start informing yourself. GPs are giving advice without money... What's more nearly every day on TV they announce how are children in Orphanages taken care of and that are the most disgusting places you can ever live. That's a fault of the government, actually... OK- they can't look after them and give them to the country. But- they have the right to visit them. Most of Roma don't do it, so that their children are raised without even knowing how do their parents look like.
About the devastated blocks- you are not right and you know it even better than me. You say: Oh, I am not going to live here for long- then why don't I make this place impossible for living at all?!?! Excuse me, but educating them on how to keep clean just sounds ridiculous. Even animals know this. Sorry for the comparison, but it is the truth....
Comment by Anonymous
They cut the thumbs of their kids to be better suited for pickpocketing, they keep them handicapped to use them as beggars, they sell them ( yesterday a gypsy child was sold on live TV in Bulgaria). So don't blog about things you don't understand. There is a reason they don;t get hired, but I don;t even want to get started on how many times we have been robber by gypsies.
Not all of them of course are criminals, but it is such high rate that the Bulgarian racism towards them is not without a reason.
Comment by np
the language is open to discriminatory remarks but thats a daily language that is taken as sarcasm while we are very protective of all bulgarians jewish or roma.. look up history and see if jewish people were ever sent to camps. the big problem is that the Roma do not want to go to school and until recently all schoolbooks were free. i have had very few roma classamates unfortunately - as the uneducated roma populations in the capital where i studied believe in having a large family by the time they are 17... most of them end up homeless and refuse help but exploit their children
communist actually required that their children go to school until 4th grade but few parents permited them to continue even to 4th grade. the situation is sad and it is changing very very slowly but it is.
ps. our roma populations are poor, to mention it again, and unorganized, so we dont have pretty festivals like the picture from Prague
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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Comment by Anonymous