Gypsy community in Germany, modern day

Jan 08, 2012 03:22

Hello! I've been diligently researching on the culture and way of life of German gypsies today, but I couldn't seem to find something I need to work on a story ( Read more... )

germany (misc), ~romani

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Comments 18

crimsonmorgan January 8 2012, 11:32:53 UTC
I can't say anything about your first question, because Gypsies haven't come up in the news for quite some time.

Regarding the second point; yeah, I'm pretty sure you'll find plenty prejudice. It will definitely not obvious (because of our history), but the belief that they are all thieves, etc., are still alive.

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lostenergy January 8 2012, 12:19:16 UTC
Thank you for answering! Oh, if they haven't been on news lately then I might have to sort material dating awhile back.

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legoline January 8 2012, 12:04:34 UTC
I second that Sinti and Roma haven't come up in the news for a while, and I second that there's also still a lot of prejudice, albeit it's not openly (for obvious reasons).

That said I remember vividly that up to ten or fiteen years ago travelling gypsies would park their caravans on an unused site near the city centre, and I suspect that back then the city tolerated it. Since then the site has been turned into a fancy retirement home for the elderly, and where the gypsies have been relocated to--or if they're still tolerated--I don't know.

Also I seem to remember I read on a local political blog--and please bear in mind that this was a few months ago and my memory might be blurry on this--ever since the borders to Eastern Europe, particularly Bulgaria and Romania, were opened a lot of Sinti and Roma have migrated to Germany. There appear to be some grave issues particularly in towns of the Ruhr area where the migrants have sort of "overtaken" (poorer) parts of the city and occasionally have ten people living in very tiny ( ... )

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the_physicist January 8 2012, 12:13:16 UTC
my info is also about 10-15 years old. and in that time they were allowed to park their caravans in one of the city car parks near the public outdoor swimming baths and then they were allowed to use the facilities there. they used to stay there for most of the summer. i don't think that's allowed anymore. I may not be remembering correctly, but i think it was an issue discussed at town level, so it might be up to each community to decide on letting them stay or not. that could be different now of course and different if they aren't travelling in a large group with caravans, as there are also many who don't from what i hear.
sorry, not too much info, but maybe it's helpful.

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lostenergy January 8 2012, 14:50:55 UTC
It is helpful! Thank you.

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lostenergy January 8 2012, 12:17:27 UTC
Thank you so much for all the information you've shared! I will look into researching more political blogs like you've mentioned.

I'm sorry that this might have come as offensive. Although from what I've read, the term gypsy is an offensive term to those who are identified as one when they are not, or just happen to have Sinti/Roma blood. Those who identify themselves as gypsies do not have an issue about it, apparently. But I'll take your advice, and search with those terms in combination.

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baka_kit January 8 2012, 13:15:03 UTC
I stumbled across this blog: http://gypsyappropriations.blogspot.com/ on another comm a couple of days ago; maybe there is some info there?

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lostenergy January 8 2012, 14:50:27 UTC
There are details on there that I could really use to help me out. Thank you!

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nathskywalker January 8 2012, 13:22:05 UTC
I have never had any contact with Sinti / Roma / any others but my boyfriend comes from an area where they had two very large families settle down and the whole city refers to them as "the gypsies" and they are pretty harsh on them. There seems to be a history that justifies it but I'm not aware of most of it. I do know that there is a lot of prejudice, at least in that city, though I have never really witnessed it anywhere else.

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lostenergy January 8 2012, 14:46:19 UTC
Oh, thank you for this answer. This could provide some perspective for some details. Thanks!

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lostenergy January 8 2012, 14:45:37 UTC
No, this basically answers the question I'm really concerned about! It does seem like these settlement areas for Sinti and Roma are being kept under wraps. It's very difficult to find documented reports on their condition in Germany.

Thank you so much for the answer! :)

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