Dear Madam/Sir, I saw the documentary that you prepared broadcasted. It is a very good story and pretty encouraging. However, I would like to draw your attention to the word "Gypsy". I come from a Roma or as many people know "Gypsy" origin. I personally find the word "Gypsy" quite derogative and degrading. In our language, Romanes, does not exist the word "Gypsy". It's a foreign word given to us by the ancient Greeks, as some scholars say. We always identify ourselves as Roma, which means people, in our own language Romanes, i.e. the term Roma is our ethnonym (ethnic name). Therefore, I would like to ask you not use the words "Gypsy" or "Gypsies" anymore because it negatively reflects on my own and other people's identity calling proudly themselves ROMA. To provide you with a better understanding on the word "Gypsy" and its origin, I would like to ask you to read the following paragraph. In Greece (around the 11th century), Roma got the spiritually and socially stigmatized name Gypsies. The word Gypsy derives from the Greek word "atsiganos" meaning "untouchables", i.e. spiritually dirty people. Roma looked spiritually and socially different to the then Greek Orthodox Church and society: they spoke different language, had a dark skin, wore different outfit (a colorful one), had different "religious" practices, e.g. palm reading, fortune telling etc. Such "religious" practices were proclaimed for occultism by the Greek Orthodox Church because they were against its teaching and no one had the right to practice them. Of course, Roma did practice them and were publicly reprimanded and announced for outlaws. Everyone who was in touch with them was announced by the Greek Orthodox Church for an outcast and untouchable. Therefore, Roma were announced for Gypsies, i.e. untouchables or outcasts. Today, the spiritual meaning of this word has diminished, however it has gotten the meaning of socially stigmatized people (disgraced and disapproved). The reasons for that are again the misunderstanding of their nature as people, discrimination, scapegoating and marginalization.
The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
Reply to Comment The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
I saw the documentary that you prepared broadcasted. It is a very good story and pretty encouraging. However, I would like to draw your attention to the word "Gypsy".
I come from a Roma or as many people know "Gypsy" origin. I personally find the word "Gypsy" quite derogative and degrading. In our language, Romanes, does not exist the word "Gypsy". It's a foreign word given to us by the ancient Greeks, as some scholars say. We always identify ourselves as Roma, which means people, in our own language Romanes, i.e. the term Roma is our ethnonym (ethnic name). Therefore, I would like to ask you not use the words "Gypsy" or "Gypsies" anymore because it negatively reflects on my own and other people's identity calling proudly themselves ROMA.
To provide you with a better understanding on the word "Gypsy" and its origin, I would like to ask you to read the following paragraph. In Greece (around the 11th century), Roma got the spiritually and socially stigmatized name Gypsies. The word Gypsy derives from the Greek word "atsiganos" meaning "untouchables", i.e. spiritually dirty people. Roma looked spiritually and socially different to the then Greek Orthodox Church and society: they spoke different language, had a dark skin, wore different outfit (a colorful one), had different "religious" practices, e.g. palm reading, fortune telling etc. Such "religious" practices were proclaimed for occultism by the Greek Orthodox Church because they were against its teaching and no one had the right to practice them. Of course, Roma did practice them and were publicly reprimanded and announced for outlaws. Everyone who was in touch with them was announced by the Greek Orthodox Church for an outcast and untouchable. Therefore, Roma were announced for Gypsies, i.e. untouchables or outcasts. Today, the spiritual meaning of this word has diminished, however it has gotten the meaning of socially stigmatized people (disgraced and disapproved). The reasons for that are again the misunderstanding of their nature as people, discrimination, scapegoating and marginalization.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
Best regards,
Angel Ivanov
email: angelivanov777@gmail.com