Roma Myths

Roma are travelers.

Few Roma have a nomadic lifestyle. Roma who travel in Europe are almost always migrating from poorer, less developed countries in central and eastern Europe as well as the Balkans. These former Soviet-satellite states are still struggling to build their economies and infrastructure, and there is little if any support for stigmatized Roma. The Roma are simply looking for a better life for themselves and their families when they arrive in the west. However, all they find is racism, xenophobia and violence.

Roma are thieves and beggars.

There are few Roma in the prison population. Just as in any other ethnic minority, some Roma are involved in crime but many of those have been criminalized by laws created to curtail their traditional lifestyle of migration, entertaining, and trading.

Roma are also called Gypsies and are endowed with special supernatural powers.

There has never been any evidence of any Roma with supernatural powers. Some Roma, however, have turned the myths about them on their head and earned a living telling fortunes.

Roma cannot read and write.

It is true that education is one of the most pressing problems that the Roma are facing today. In many countries Roma are being sent to special schools, or schools for mentally retarded, even though they are perfectly capable of an education at the same level as anyone else. This puts them at a disadvantage and has led to the lack of education in the Roma community.

Roma choose to be unclean.

The pictures we have seen of Roma in illegal camps - 'who are dirty and unhealthy' have led to a stereotype of dirtiness among the Roma. This is untrue. In fact, cleanliness is a important trait among Roma. However, it is often difficult to be clean when Roma are forced to live in illegal and unsafe camp sites, because governments and society in general refuses to let them live and work in communities so that they can have access to facilities to stay healthy and clean.

Roma are not interested in working.

Roma often start work younger. Traditional skills are passed down to the next generation. There is a strong work ethic based on the need to survive. Many Roma sacrificed their lives for this country in the 1st and 2nd World Wars.

Roma travel and live in camps to avoid paying tax.

Traditionally, many Roma are self-employed and pay tax like anybody else. Both Romani and Irish traveler culture values portable wealth. Unlike non-Roma culture this wealth is highly visible. A Roma man with a new car and caravan may look flash, but his wealth is just more visible. The amount of capital their home is worth is far less than the equity many non-Romani have in their houses but is constantly depreciating in value.

Roma vehicles and Caravans are uninsured and unsafe.

Roma have no reason not to abide by the laws and regulations of their local governments - they are persecuted enough as it is. Roma strive to be law abiding citizens and always keep the vehicles in good condition and keep it insured when they are financially able.

Roma don't want to integrate into society.

Since the Roma arrived in Europe in the 14th century, they have been treated with hostility and xenophobia. They have been segregated against their will. All based on the myths explained here. Roma deserve to be treated fairly and given the same rights and services that everyone enjoys. Once that happens, they should be given the choice to live and prosper where they so choose; either apart from or included in main stream society.

Romani and Travelers have never contributed anything to the economy or mainstream culture.

Romanies are Europe’s largest and fastest growing ethnic minority.

Execution, deportation and toleration have not dealt with the “Gypsy problem.” Roma are here to stay and are becoming increasingly good at demanding that their culture and way of life is accommodated.

The current conflict over Roma and Traveler site provision is in nobody’s interests, it is in everyone’s interest to resolve it through educating the wider public about Roma and Traveler culture and needs.

Roma are Romanians.

The Roma are a European people living throughout Europe and beyond, but originating from India a thousand years ago. The Romanians of Romania are a separate people with its own state and a separate and distinct language.