why are we so frightenly able to dismiss other people's humanity?

[amphibian23]

On racism against Roma people in Italy. It's very disturbing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/aug/17/familyandrelationships.roma

It is an image that shocked the world: two young Gypsy children lie dead for three hours on an

Comments

[futurebird]

I used to boggle my mind too, but that was before I noticed how common this kind of thing can be. It can be easier, I think, to to see it in other cultures-- since one need not face any kind of guilt in noticing it

[amphibian23]

Yes, this is why I could never be an individualist politically. There is such a thing as society and...it's fucked (then again, so's government, evidently). As for philanthropy taking care of it - like it did in the Victorian times? No.

I read the Daily Kos article; jesus. it all flies in the face how we would like to think of ourselves.

[nepthys_12]

That's really horrifying and so was the Daily Kos article. I don't even know where to begin on this. I agree with futurebird but also think it has to do with making a group of people the constant "other" in society. I'm not sure if I'm phrasing this right but I think it goes beyond making them subhuman but more like a caricature that can be fully ingrained and validated by any negativity expressed towards the group of people from bad press to someone recounting a negative experience. So the stereotype eclipses the human being which can lead to horrific indifference/racism/hatred. I hope this makes sense.

...

[luighseach]

The Roma (I'd really appreciate it if someone took the time to explain me how English grammar works in this regard, do you make up your own changes of a word taken from another language or use the one from the original language? Until I know, sorry, I will need to use a grammar more familiar.) are looked down upon everywhere. Mostly their culture, but also their heritage. I have no part in the culture, but some part of the heritage, and while no one holds me responsible for the culture, the genes (ahum) has been used as an explanation for my wild tendencies. Then again, so has feminism, my disability and reading too many books

Re: ...

[amphibian23]

I'm not quite sure if my use of 'the Roma people' is [gramatically] correct, actually.

Thanks for your insight.

[sunnies]

I grew up in Poland and have seen quite a bit of Europe... and from what I've experienced, this phenomenon is widespread across the EU. There were a few Roma children at my elementary school... they dropped out before the age of 10. The social consensus was "go figure, they're Gypsies, not fit for school". As a child, I was frequently warned by well-meaning (!!!) people not to go near Roma people, because they're dirty and all they ever want to do is steal your money... or, if you're a white child, kidnap you. From what I've seen in Western Europe, these stereotypes are very much alive everywhere.

It's easier to dehumanize people like that because then we don't have to worry about their life expectancy, education rates, poverty rates, etc. It's harder to be indifferent to the plight of those you consider human.

[tashmania]

It's easier to dehumanize people like that because then we don't have to worry about their life expectancy, education rates, poverty rates, etc. It's harder to be indifferent to the plight of those you consider human.

This says what I wanted to say, but far more succinctly and eloquently.

[amphibian23]

at your last paragraph-very true. it's scary how people can do this when two children are lying dead in front of them, as well as talking about the collective Them Not Us.

[maenads_dance]

I never know how to reply to posts like these, because such things are so far outside of my direct experience, but at the same time I always feel like I should make some kind of a response, because I want to acknowledge that I've read the article and that I do, in fact, care about the brutal treatment of the Roma in Europe at least as much as I care about stupid movies and tv shows.