We Are the Roma!: One Thousand Years of Discrimination

by Valeriu Nicolae

The Roma or Romani people, commonly called gypsies, comprise one of the largest ethnic minorities in the European Union, with significant populations in the Balkan Peninsula as well as Spain, France, Russia, and the Ukraine. Persecution of the Roma dates back to the Byzantine Empire, when many were enslaved. The violent discrimination—being burnt alive, having homes destroyed and children stoned—and ghettoization of their communities continues even today. Despite EU legislation designed to protect them against racism, blatant and persistent persecution continues, both in newer member states such as Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary, and in countries at the heart of the EU. And despite their stated commitment to human rights, no country or official body has taken up the case of the Roma and strongly argued for their protection and integration. In this powerful and well-argued book, Valeriu Nicolae, himself a Romanian Roma, gives voice to the Roma cause, offering a precise and candid look at their current situation. In doing so, Nicolae also provides insightful ideas for what can and should be done to stem this long-standing and cruel intolerance. We Are the Roma! brings to light an important and often overlooked ethnic discrimination in Europe and tells a story urgently in need of telling.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

100 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2012

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An important topic and an interesting one. Unfortunately, this is less an essay or a manifesto than an unshapely ramble, opening (as it should instead have closed) with a section meant to dispel common misunderstandings about the Roma before ever even introducing the Roma. And no sooner does Nicolae get around to discussing who the Roma are a quarter of the way through the book than he gives up, points out that the Roma are too heterogeneous a population to really define, and then spends the rest of his pages jumping between anecdotes, generalizations, and broad political suggestions. This is a book that based on the subject matter and the cover copy I was excited to get into but I'm sorry to say it proved a tremendous disappointment.

[Vivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very upset with the low ratings for this book.
We have so little research available about the discrimination Roma people face that this little book is really valuable. Short but hard to read. Lots of translations from Romanian media that unfortunately doesn't even scratch the surface of the racism experienced.

[Seven Pesos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and comprehensive (for its small size) look into a uniquely European issue I've never thought about / was aware of.