Last week, ARC, Age UK North Cumbria, and CDEC organised a training day delivered by Charmaine from Pride of Romany.
It was an excellent day where we explored the hidden histories of Romany Gypsy people. Stories of state persecution, violence and oppression; but also stories of how Romany Gypsy people have shaped our land, towns, and villages in Cumbria, and a tale of pride, ancestry, tradition, and resistance. History which was sadly new to many in the room and is on the long list of things which ought to be compulsory teaching in schools.
We learnt so much during the session, and it prompted us to reflect on what more we can do to tackle the normalised racism Romany Gypsy people face, and how we can better stand in solidarity with Romany Gypsy-led groups and charities.
One thing we will be doing straight away is stop using ‘GRT’. Charmaine repeatedly stressed that this is an unhelpful homogeneous term which lazily lumps together communities which have very distinct ancestry, histories and traditions. Instead, she recommended using the terms ‘Romany Gypsy’ and ‘Irish Traveller’ instead.
💥Romany Gypsies are believed to have left India in the 11th century and first arrived in Britain in the early 1500s. Many people trace their lineage back generations and Charmaine could trace unbroken Romany Gypsy heritage back over 20 generations.
💥Irish Travellers are distinct from Romany Gypsies. They originated in Ireland, arriving in Britain in the 1800s.
💥Roma and Sinti people are distinct Romani groups living mostly in eastern and central Europe who were targeted and persecuted by the Nazis during the holocaust.
Similarly to the way we don’t use BAME, we will be moving away from ‘GRT’. If you don’t know much about Romany Gypsy history, we encourage you to learn more and consider changing your language and approach too.
Whilst it happens to be Gypsy, Roma, Traveller history month, doing better by these communities is something we all have a responsibility to do all year round.
For more info check out:
Pride of Romany
@friendsfamiliesandtravellers
