Roma and Gypsies in the Mediterranean: Circulating Categories, Maintaining Boundaries

Abstract

The article is based on results under development of the research project “Roma Migrants in the Public Arena” (LabEx TEPSIS, Ville de Paris). Drawing on various fieldworks focused on politicization processes (media coverage, collective action, local policies of “inclusion”), it examines in a cross-scalar approach the differentiated integration strategies developed towards these immigrants by a plurality of actors. Through a critical review of the comparative results issued from the fresh release of Confluences Mediterranée journal, we point out some tensions between processes of “transnationalization” and rooted national and local configurations. We thus favour a particular research-path that focuses on entrenchment and mobilities of categorical ethnic ascriptions and identifications.

“This Is Not Your Santa”: Roma Children Visualize Christmas

“…Unequivocally, Roma parents (primarily women) take their children home immediately after the end of classes, resulting in almost 90 percent of Roma children missing special and voluntary educational activities offered by the school. One reason for this has to do with the ubiquitous racism and anti-Roma attitudes widespread not only in segregated schools in Hungary as elsewhere in Europe but on the streets, in the labor market and social services, and in the media (Doytcheva, 2016;Janko Spreizer, 2020;Rorke, 2021). Unfortunately, this action not only hinders children's educational advancement and opportunity to learn special skills but also further aggravates strained majority-minority relations while, at the same time, reinforcing greater ghettoization.…”

“…One art critic describes her art as "instinctual" in which there is "an orgy of colors, just like emotions are brimming in the soul of children" (Ritók, 2015). This may be part of the general dichotomy of "us" and "them", resulting in centuries-long exoticization and racialization of the Roma as many scholars have suggested (Doytcheva, 2016;Kligman, 2001;Kroon et al, 2016). But in the artwork of children, simple colors send powerful messages.…”