Blog 6: Roma Discrimination In France

Tensions rise in France after residents torch Roma camp advocates for minority seek support

 

In France, there has been international call on protest to defend the Roma people, who are more often called Gypsies. Gypsies, or Roma, have been subject to cruel treatment and discrimination all over the continent of Europe. Many of the Roma camps have been terrorized but it rare that a horrendous act, one such as the eviction of the gypsies from Marseille, would happen. The ethnic minority is blamed for many of the crimes taking place in which they reside. French government is debating over the treatment of the Roma, for they too have dismantled many of the camps which gypsies call home. The Roma do not feel they have a voice and have many advocacy groups backing them up. A government official of France feels the declaration for a need of troops to stop all of the crime and violence in the alleged areas. She said that the people should not be taking matters into their own hands.

Reading this article reminded me of a television show I watched one time called “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding”. The Roma people in this show definitely experienced some harsh prejudices in Europe as they were push off the land and threatened. They protested in big congregations and demonstrated peaceful resistance.  Roma people are nomads and live very traditional lifestyles. I don’t understand why all of a sudden people want to get super violent when I’m sure they had crime and robbery before the Roma people located near them. I think it may be because they are different. The government needs not to enforce military power but to put a stop to the oppression of every group as well as enforcing police for protection of people and laws.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/tensions-rising-in-france-after-residents-torch-roma-camp-advocates-for-minority-seek-protest/2012/09/29/92d28bb4-0a49-11e2-9eea-333857f6a7bd_story.html