"An Artist paints his own reality" Ernie Barnes

I know it isn’t International Romani day, but I wanted to make this to celebrate and bring awareness about the Romani community. Characters who are Romani like Wanda or Pietro often get misrepresented or white washed in mainstream media (*cough cough* Marvel Cinematic Universe and the X-men *) for no good reason. This is horrible because the Romani are an already unrepresented group that deal with many injustices. According to The Council of Europe, some of the terrible things to occur to the Romani include:

“facing hatred and human rights abuses every day. Roma are refused access to decent housing, evicted without notice and left open to attack by prejudiced neighbours.-blocked from the jobs market and from opportunities to get better education and vocational training. Roma children are bullied at school, or sent to schools meant for people with learning difficulties. Roma women have been sterilised against their will”

This also doesn’t address the 500 years of slavery or the misuse of their culture from Gadje (people who aren’t Roma)

Unfortunately, this mistreatment exists around the world (including North America).

Despite this mistreatment, the Romani have contributed so much beauty into the world. Including the flamenco dance, movies, music, books, etc

I can’t speak on how good the representation Nightwing, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver are to the Romani community because I am not Roma. I created this because I understand how important these characters are, and how important they could be (if Marvel or DC hired Romani writers) to changing the perception of the Romani community. It’s important to recognize the beauty of other groups in real life and fiction; because their stories are important and should be told.

While you're still here, please check out these links for ways you can support the Romani community without overstepping your boundaries

Where you can donate

e-romnja

fundraiser for Stanislav Tomáš’ family

A gofundme for a 50yr old Romani Woman injured in hit and run

Ukraine: Help Roma Access Humanitarian Aid

help for roma in eastern europe and turkey

A safe place for LGBT Roma

Resources where you can learn more

The European Roma Rights Centre

We are the Romani People by Ian Hancock

Opre Roma

Terms of engagement

Union Romani

Media/Businesses

Romanistan: by Jessica Reidy and Paulina Verminski

Romani Media Initiative

Romafuturism

eriac_romamoma (an Instagram page dedicated to showing contemporary art)

Romani Design (a fashion line where you can buy beautiful outfits)

Voice of Roma

More accounts you can follow to support Roma and Romani activism