#rrom

Only a month after Halloween (🥴) but we are not a costume, and shouldn’t be worn as such EVER.

from @terms_of_engagement on Instagram

I don't like to interrupt this haven with non-blue things, but this is important. I'll keep it relatively short.

I am a Romani man. The Romani, also called Roma, are an ethnic group often known by the slur 'gypsy'. This word is as offensive as the N word is in the US, don't use it.

There are currently hundreds of thousands of Romani in Ukraine, but no one knows how many because they are often denied birth certificates or government ID, leaving them unable to work regular jobs or even get phone plans or set up an electricity account. This was partially established under Communist rule so we could be made as slaves to work on farms. We have been resettled many times, sent to death camps, forced to integrate, banned from speaking our language and deported to Siberia. 

Many were living without water, heat or lights even before the invasion, separated from other citizens by a segregation wall. 

Some who had a form of ID had them burned during recent neo-nazi pogroms when all of their belongings were destroyed. As refugees, they are having difficulty crossing borders into other countries without ID and establishing any kind of temporary lives without documents.

While the invasion is very difficult for everyone involved, it is particularly bad for the minorities, as usual. Romani men are volunteering and being conscripted to fight with the Ukrainian Army but without any assurance that their families will be able to escape the country. 

Unfortunately, racism doesn't magically go away when a crisis happens and Romani are facing more difficulties than many as they move into surrounding countries. Some of the aid organizations in surrounding nations are refusing to assist or treat Romani refugees

Please consider donating to one of these two organizations for Romani relief. Or, if you cannot donate, please educate people and share the situation. Thank you so much.

Crowdfunder for Romani refugees arriving in Poland

Gofundme for Romani refugees, including providing paperwork

Kwami of: Adaptation; half of Creativity

Activation: "Rrom, let's adjust!"

Deactivation: "Rrom, square one."

Animal: Black rat

Miracle Box: Midnight Box

Miraculous: A silver diadem embedded with green jewels: half of the Creativity Crown

Current holder: Remus Plasmatio

Name: Nnueve

Kwami of: Magic

Activation: "Nnueve, bewitch!"

Deactivation: "Nnueve, break the spell."

Animal: Octopus

Miracle Box: Lost Box, formerly Number Box

Miraculous: A friendship necklace, akin to the Number Kwami's

but PLEASE do not be a ‘gypsy’ for Halloween. If you already have, please learn and don’t do it again.

I am of Rromani ethnicity (variously also known as Roma, Rom, Rrom and other terms) and ‘gypsy’ is an ethnic slur. Many people think that ‘gypsy’ is simply someone who wears bangles, tells fortunes, is a ‘free spirit’ and wanders around but this is false.

We are a people who have been incredibly discriminated against. In many parts of the world, we are still barred from health care, education and residence within the limits of cities. Many Romani are forced to live in actual caves because they have nowhere else they are allowed to live. ‘Gypsy’ is just one of many slurs used against my people when bricks are thrown through our windows, people attempt to hit us with cars on the road or we are thrown out of establishments.

Please do not use us as your Halloween costume. We are still struggling to gain any rights and the use of ‘gypsy’ as a term for someone with wanderlust does not help our cause.

The only reason the Romani roamed is because we were not allowed to live within cities. We had to wander in order to scrape by and feed ourselves. It was not some free spirited venture, we were only trying to survive.

The term ‘Gypsy’ implies we came from Egypt, when in fact our ancestors were from India. We have our own language and traditions, but we are slowly losing these due to persecution.