The Italian schoolchildren's drawings which illustrate a hatred for Roma gypsies

[A*O]

Last time I was in London every single Tube trip involved a Roma woman begging with a small baby walking up and down the carriage with her hand held out. Totally illegal but, guess what, no police in evidence. They were very organised with the women/kids getting off the train every few stops to be replaced by another member of the gang. At each station there were a couple of surly looking blokes standing on the platform keeping an eye on what the women were doing.

Before we left the UK I had the unpleasant experience of a group of these women (it's usually the women) knocking on my door asking for money with a tribe of feral kids hanging in the background having a good look around to see what they could nick. I didn't answer the door and called the cops who arrived (eventually, sigh) who said these gangs were becoming a real problem but were very slick at avoiding the police, let alone prosecution.

Let's not get into the racist crap here - these people are criminals who chose to live outside the law and I'm not at all surprised that they are viewed with suspicion and hostility.

[tee-ha-ha]

Originally Posted by Ravenna

Eh, Yanna is just calling 'em as she sees 'em. The level of hatred evident in these drawings is disturbing, especially coming from children, but I can understand the negative feelings. I've had contact with the Roma in Italy and Spain and they were complete pests: begging, creating diversions, swarming and trying to rob my father-in-law. Perhaps they are not all begging, thieving losers, but it's easy to get that impression.

It is easy to get that impression; it's not always right but it's not always wrong either. The Roma are also in France and England and they're not well-liked in those countries either, though the level of hatred doesn't come close to Italy!

[yanna]

Originally Posted by McJag

NO,NO Yanna & Moomies-I cannot speak for her, but I think Butt meant get educated about Romas-not get an education in general. That's how I interpet it.

I don't know. She told me to get a clue and get an education. I would guess a clue about Gypsies and an education in general so I won't be making those horrific ignorant statements. I didn't say what I said without any knowledge of Roma. I can't accept how they force their children to get married and start breeding at 12. I cannot accept and write it of as their culture, how they go around forcing their children to beg or roam the streets with infants. I cannot accept how some of them have traditions for disfiguring and hobbling their children so they will make valuable beggars. How on Earth is that acceptable in a modern society? In any society?

There is a whole area in Athens where there are gypsies who have settled down and are getting an education, have proper jobs and the rest. I definitely have nothing against them and I'm hoping that in time all of them will become part of society without necessarily losing their individuality and their traditions.

[samantha jones]

Originally Posted by A*O

Last time I was in London every single Tube trip involved a Roma woman begging with a small baby walking up and down the carriage with her hand held out. Totally illegal but, guess what, no police in evidence. They were very organised with the women/kids getting off the train every few stops to be replaced by another member of the gang. At each station there were a couple of surly looking blokes standing on the platform keeping an eye on what the women were doing.

Before we left the UK I had the unpleasant experience of a group of these women (it's usually the women) knocking on my door asking for money with a tribe of feral kids hanging in the background having a good look around to see what they could nick. I didn't answer the door and called the cops who arrived (eventually, sigh) who said these gangs were becoming a real problem but were very slick at avoiding the police, let alone prosecution.

Let's not get into the racist crap here - these people are criminals who chose to live outside the law and I'm not at all surprised that they are viewed with suspicion and hostility.

Wow, that's really bad. Knocking at your door. I haven't experienced that here in Rome, not yet. But on the trains that leave from Rome, particularly the ones out to the sea, which is not far away, there are always beggars. They must have the same boss; because they walk up and down the train and hand you a slip of paper.

Always the same story in Italian: I"'m poor, I have two kids, no home and no money. Please give me money. God Bless You."

The same xeroxed piece of paper every day. They're not as bad as the gypsies, but maybe they're just starting out.

[McJag]

Originally Posted by yanna

I don't know. She told me to get a clue and get an education. I would guess a clue about Gypsies and an education in general so I won't be making those horrific ignorant statements. I didn't say what I said without any knowledge of Roma. I can't accept how they force their children to get married and start breeding at 12. I cannot accept and write it of as their culture, how they go around forcing their children to beg or roam the streets with infants. I cannot accept how some of them have traditions for disfiguring and hobbling their children so they will make valuable beggars. How on Earth is that acceptable in a modern society? In any society?

There is a whole area in Athens where there are gypsies who have settled down and are getting an education, have proper jobs and the rest. I definitely have nothing against them and I'm hoping that in time all of them will become part of society without necessarily losing their individuality and their traditions.

Doubtful-most of them love the vagabond life. Here,most are wealthy & just just camper trailers,etc. I have seen those child wedding things on TV and it is appalling. They still go out in large groups and prey off elderly,etc. This is after mansions,big cars,tons of expensive stuff. Now these are actually called Irish Travellers,not really Gypsies,yet the thinking is the same and they consider themselves related,from what I have read. Interesting,yet scary. A lot live in North Carolina,btw.

[crumpet]

Anyone who is so defensive on behalf of the Roma might want to ask themselves how come so many people in so many different countries just happen to share the same experiences with and opinions of this group. Sometimes generalizations happen for a reason and are completely just.

[McJag]

Originally Posted by crumpet

Anyone who is so defensive on behalf of the Roma might want to ask themselves how come so many people in so many different countries just happen to share the same experiences with and opinions of this group. Sometimes generalizations happen for a reason and are completely just.

Or,maybe they would consider buying the house next door & opening it to a nice Gypsy family.

[sputnik]

not all governments are like italy's. some do try to help and do try to get the children educated. but what are they going to do? mobile caravan schools that follow the gypsies around?

[effie2]

Actually we have open air schools here,teachers couldnt keep the kids inside,so they moved out in the school yard.
There is a large Roma community around here,they live in tents and they have a farmacy made of plastic sheets with a green electric sign on..lol.
I love visiting there and i have so many stories..
But their trained kids stole my mobile and i go there no more..

[Grimmlok]

They didn't steal your mobile, you just need an education! They were borrowing it for an undetermined length of time without prior permission.

Sheesh. What ignorance.

[effie2]

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

They didn't steal your mobile, you just need an education! They were borrowing it for an undetermined length of time without prior permission.

Sheesh. What ignorance.




Now,if you put it that way..
I was in local court house(wont say why)and a young gypsy lad was in trial for stealing a car.
Mr Presindent,what a poor dude can do to keep his love?
Look at them all with the wheels..i am poor.
So i am never supposed to fuck in my life?
I took the car for love,Mr President...

[AliceInWonderland]

omg when i was in Spain; i saw the dumbest scam/trick ever by some street ppl! they had a box they were holding with one hand and asking ppl to look inside and with the other hand was reaching under the box and grabbing at ppl's purses who were looking in the box and the kids with them were grabbing at the purses and pockets too; they have no shame i swear! it was ridonculous; i say if your dumb enough to fall for that (looking in a box scam) then u deserve that thievery