Don't Say Gypsy

Most people use the word gypsy as a normal part of English. Few people realize that it is an ethnic slur. It has become so common that even people who identify with this particular ethnic group call themselves "Gypsies". This is the so in the band named "Gypsy Boys". Two guitar players with a fiery style who played the Roma Festival. And in fact the people of whom we are speaking are the Roma people. These days they live all over Europe with larger concentrations in places like Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Bosnia.

We are blessed to have an annual Roma Festival in our town. This year it was the 14th Annual California Herdeljezi Roma (Gypsy) Festival. Note that even the Festival puts the word "gypsy" in the name. Few would identify these people as Roma, and indeed their language has Latin roots. "Gypsy Jazz" is a style of music developed by one such Roma, Django Reinhardt. These people are known for their passionate style of playing acoustic music, especially guitar and violin. They are also widely discriminated against in all of Europe as many keep to themselves. They are also among the poorest ethnic group in eastern Europe. They are known to be thieves and con artists, but as with any ethnic group it is only a very small minority.

When I was in Florence, Italy two summers ago watching the final game of the World cup, I had my camera snatched by a young pair of Roma teens. I saw them and I should have known better. My camera was visible through the netting. I saw both of them, small and dark skinned. It was the perfect event for a robbery as the crowd was thick. Also I almost became the victim of a scam in Paris last summer. A woman comes by and points on the ground to ring. It looks like a wedding ring- gold. She tells me that I can have it. I smelled trouble. I read later that this is long known scam.

I volunteered the entire day in the alcohol booth. I managed to put off my first drink until three thirty PM. But the offer of free drinks (and food) was too good to pass up. Mix that with the good company of the other volunteers, the incredible music and good weather- a glorious day.