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February 17th, 2007
cherani_baxtali
 | 10:06 am - Welcome!
I am an American-born Romani. For those of you thinking, 'who?', Romani is an ethnic background, like Spanish, Italian, or Swedish. There are many different groups, or 'nations' that fall under the name 'Romani', such as Roma, Kale, and Sinti to name a few. I am just beginning to become more familiar with my heritage, and the many diverse groups that tie into it. From what I've been told, I am descendent of the Sinti nation.
A few things that people often say when I am asked about my background are, "so you're Romanian/Italian/etc?" The answer is no. Roma, Romani and Romania are all separate terms used to describe different groups of people, and Rome, though it sounds a lot like Roma, isn't the same thing. When people ask me for a more familiar reference point, I explain that the Romani people are also called "Gypsies", (though in some parts of the world, and even here in America, this word can be offensive and should be used only when you know the individual preference of the people involved - is probably safest to use 'Romani', or if you know their particular nation's name, that is generally preferred as well). There is a misconception, both here in America and in other parts of the world, that a 'Gypsy' is a free-spirited, fortune-telling, crystal-ball gazing circus performer, and there is also the misconception that anyone who lives a nomadic lifestyle would fall under that name. It seems that the word 'Gypsy' is more often used these days as a descriptive term for a certain lifestyle, when in fact, the Romani are a living, breathing race of people, not a fairytale in a Disney story.
In other parts of the world, (and from what I understand, even some places here in America) the Romani people are treated very badly, some being denied even basic human rights. In most parts of America, with all of our laws in place to prevent these situations, it is difficult to imagine a sign on a market or pub exclaiming "NO DOGS or ASIANS", etc, but in some places, replace the word 'Asians' with 'Gypsies', and you will see a small example of the way the Romani are treated in other places throughout the world. It is dire enough in some places that they are reluctant to admit to their heritage at all. I have personally never experienced any sort of racial backlash, but in looking at me, it isn't necessarily easy to pick out my heritage, and in those who have inquired, I have not experienced any sort of offensive reaction.
Please do not join if you are looking for magic tricks, spells or other such nonsense. This community has a serious focus and a desire for knowledge about our past experiences as a people, and what our future holds, here and around the globe. If you are Romani and would like to join, or would like to offer suggestions, corrections, or just want to say hello, please do. This is my journey as much as it is yours, and I welcome any information, assistance and criticism from those who undoubtedly know more than I.
With that, welcome to Rromani!
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cherani_baxtali
 | 11:00 am - Romani History
This is a very informative site on Romani history. There are drop-down menus at the top where you can continue through different parts of their journeys, and a flash animation at the end. I thought this quote was particularly interesting, "the Roma are the only people in Europe that never led a war on its own, thus the most peaceful people in Europe."
Click the banner below to read more..
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cherani_baxtali
 | 11:02 am - Wintertime
'We had the same pain'
Most people know about the millions of Jews murdered in Hitler's death camps; less is known about the 500,000 Gypsies who also died. Walter Winter is determined that this must change..
For many years, Walter Winter did not speak of the events that took place in his life between the ages of 20 and 25. After the war he put his head down and worked: in his family's funfair business and on the business of marriage, to Marion, with whom he raised six children in the corner of north-east Germany where the Winters had lived for as long as he could remember. At 84, he lives there still. "We are tough," he says, referring to his storm-battered family and, more generally, to the race to which it belongs. "We are tough because we have had to be." ( Read more.. )
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cherani_baxtali
 | 11:03 am - Memorial to Sinti and Roma/Nazi archives to be opened..
German Memorial to Pay Homage to Sinti and Roma
The German government and the Central Council of Sinti and Roma have agreed on designs for a memorial. Debate over quotes comparing the genocide of the Jews and of the Sinti and Roma had stalled construction.
The government will finance the 2 million euro ($2.5 million) memorial, which is to be built between the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin. Federal Culture Secretary Bernd Neumann announced to journalists on Monday that construction would begin quickly, pending agreement from the Social Democrats.
Romani Rose, head of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, said the agreement is an "important step" toward officially recognizing the genocide committed on the minority group. He said he was "very happy" about the agreement.( Read more )
NAZI ARCHIVES TO BE OPENED
SBS.com.au - Worldwatch
17.5.2006. 09:42:35
Eleven nations that share custody of millions of files on victims of the Nazis have agreed to open the archives to researchers more than 60 years after World War II.
"These amendments will permit the rich documentation preserved at headquarters of the ITS (International Tracing Service) in Bad Arolsen to be opened to researchers and historians," the countries' representatives said in a statement after a meeting in Luxembourg.
The world's largest archive of its kind based in the central German town of Bad Arolsen covers the fates of 17.5 million forced laborers and concentration camp inmates and has until now been open only to them and their relatives.( Read more )
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cherani_baxtali
 | 11:04 am - Gypsies: the Usual Suspects
Because it happens here, too...
The detectives weren't studying run-of-the-mill scam artists. Their target was the Rom, tagged with a reputation as criminals, fairly or not.
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — Fortified by muffins and coffee, the detectives gathered under the chandeliers in the hotel's Grand Ballroom.
San Francisco Police Inspector Greg Ovanessian prepared to start his presentation. "Before I begin," he said. "Not all Gypsies or Rom are criminals."
"Bull...!" yelled someone in the back. After the laughs died down, Ovanessian, a bespectacled, soft-spoken investigator, continued.
"When speaking about crimes committed by the Gypsy or the Rom, of course I'm only referring to the criminal element within that community."
"Bull...!"
Under drizzly skies just across from Valley Forge National Historical Park outside of Philadelphia, the Gypsy crime detectives were in full war-room mode.
They had gathered at the Valley Forge Radisson for the 21st annual conference of the National Assn. of Bunco Investigators. While bunco generically means theft by confidence games, no one here was kidding themselves that they were on a generic mission. Their main target was the thefts, swindles and frauds perpetrated by Gypsies, also known as Rom or Roma.
From places such as Wichita, Kan.; Skokie, Ill.; San Francisco; Abbington Township, Pa.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and New York City, the detectives took in topics such as "Introduction to Rom Investigations," "European Burglary Suspects" and "Home Repair and Impostor Burglary Suspects."
In his presentation, Det. Gary Nolte of Skokie showed a painting of wagons passing through a bucolic countryside. "Most of America thinks this is what a Gypsy is, I kid you not," Nolte said. Americans "think it's fun. They think it's a joke. Tambourine-thumping, banjo-playing buffoons." ( Read more.. )
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