Thematic Essay

Six Percent

Most people in Hungary would agree on the fact that the dark or tanned skin indicates good health, fastidiousness and maybe even welfare. However, these markings would immediately change if it would be indicated that this skin is possessed by a Roma person. Unfortunately, prejudice and discrimination are realities that virtually all Gypsies must learn to face-and live with in Hungary. According to modern liberal perception, everyone has the right to form an opinion of issues dealing with the race problem and ethnic questions. However, this personal right continuously raises the problem of discrimination, and there is a lack of effort made to end prejudice and racism.

The negative discrimination of the Roma people living in Hungary does not derive directly from the skin color as the example shows it in the introduction. Darker skin is only a characteristic of this ethnic group’s physical appearance. The reasons for discriminating Romas arises from more complex roots. One of the main sources of anti-Gypsy attitudes is the lack of knowledge and the misunderstanding of Romas. One of the main fuels of discrimination against Gypsies in Hungary is provided by the media. It requires very little effort on the part of those writing for the popular press to consult the existing sources and come up with material of their own without ever approaching Gypsy agencies or people for information. Most of those who write about Gypsies base their creations on the works of other non-Gypsies without ever checking the real facts. Despite the great responsibility that journalists have in transmitting information to the public, with very few exceptions the media continues to misinterpret Gypsies and perpetuates negative false stereotypes. Negative images about the Gypsies are shown by the media everyday. Unfortunately, not until recently the Gypsies were lacking an access to lawyers, and other institutions, and therefore were not able to make the first step towards challenging media misrepresentation.

Attitudes towards the Gypsies today are mixed; while negative characteristics as beggar or theft are the most widely known stereotypes, some positive images also occur, such as the romantic idea about unfettered, nomadic Gypsy life. Where does their persecution derive from? Some say that it is a matter of ethnic prejudice, similar to that experienced by the blacks, or Mexican-Americans in the United States. Others, however, simply feel that the Romas are perceived as non-productive trouble makers. Discrimination towards Gypsies occurs in their employment, education and the housing policies alike. They are most socially disadvantaged group in Hungary. It is a well known fact that most businesses and companies do not hire Gypsy workers, because of their labeling. Only 1% of the Roma students finish their high school studies, and only 0.3% of them achieve a college diploma. There are many ways of discriminating Roma students as well. For instance, there are complete schools that practice the idea of segregation by setting up “only-Roma” classes. It should also be mentioned that the average age at death is 10-15 years less in the Roma community than in the non-Roma. These facts all proofs for the segregation of this ethnic group from the rest of the society. Another form of discrimination, which is less known by people, is the discrimination of the law enforcements towards Gypsies. Romas are often taken in to the police station for no reason, because of racial profiling.

It is doubtful whether Gypsies spend much time thinking about the causes of discrimination. Being realist, they expect it. And being Gypsies, they learn to,live with it. In fact, they learn to live with a great many things they do not like or agree with. This indeed is the Gypsies’ trademark: adaptability. However, discrimination should not be overlooked by those who can do something against it. Such patron of this group is the United Nations. Each year they publish a document about the situation of Gypsies in Hungary, which then they introduce to the government. Due to these reports on the situation, there were few big steps made towards desegregating the Hungarian society. Laws were passed, and different projects were put together funded by the government. However, these steps were only successful to a certain extent, because the origin of discrimination is in the mind of people.

Attitudes towards Gypsies can only be changed if those stereotypes and labels that they are associated with no longer exist. This however can only happen if both sides work hard to erase discrimination. Gypsies should stand up for their rights every time discrimination occurs to them. They should also prove that those negative stereotypes that they are associated with are wrong, and that they can not only be active participants of society, but they can bring and extra color to the Hungarian culture. On the other hand other people should also work hard to get rid of all the prejudicial thoughts about Gypsies. Altogether, some changes can be perceptible in the attitudes towards Romas, but there is still a long road to look forward to.