#romany

when im romani and wanna connect with my culture+ancestors but i have no community and im white af because im also irish traveller

But we also aren't "categorised" as POC or Asian.

We're from South Asia. But some of us have roots in Africa. Middle east. Regions all around.

But not really categorised in a way that fits that.

And labels don't matter. But Romany people are so easy to abuse—forcibly sterilise, murder, rape—without anyone batting an eye. We don't get swept up in support waves that care about us because we don't fit into any of the boxes that receive focus regarding our discrimination.

We aren't white. But we aren't homogenous. We are a culture that is a racialised ethnic group but we are also a diasporic people.

I am also Queer. I am trans non-binary (it/its pronouns) and pansexual.

And quite honestly, it's not that I am afraid of discrimination or being attacked. It's that it feels... Almost uniquely alone being a Queer Non-Gender conforming Romany person. And my people, our history, and the atrocities against us are innumerable.

And such atrocities are happening to others right now as well. And I think about how easy it's been to ignore us because we don't fit into nice bold letters the way everyone else can in the polarisation. We're thrown wherever and told to "get comfortable".

Not only do I not fit anywhere, but this makes me aware that if I fall through the cracks... So, too, must other people.

So for everyone else that falls through the cracks...

I'm holding up my lantern. You're not alone in the dark. Especially not when we have siblings and kin who are minorities that are discriminated against during these troubled and dark times.

Less us fall victim to our own unease, we have allies even amongst the cis-het white community. Not all is dark. I'm not alone.

Practical corollary.

On 18th July an annual fair is held in the village of St Boswells in The Scottish Borders.

An event going back centuries farmers and travellers use of the Village Green for the annual fair which used to be held on the flat haugh below Benrig but in 1743 the river level rose as a result of heavy rains and the Fair was flooded. With wet feet but undampened spirits, a decision was made to move the venue to the Green, and it has been held there ever since.

Originally a sheep fair and wool market, it came to be a selling point for cattle and horses. It was not uncommon for a thousand horses to change hands over the period of the Fair. Gypsies came in their brightly decorated wagons from other parts of Scotland, England and even Ireland. It was a time for merriment and fun making, with kiosks, booths and campfires offering a change from daily routine for local residents.