There are two ways of describing those that are usually called “Gypsies”. The first consists of considering them as marginal beings to be reconciled with the rest of society. The second considers the relationship between Gypsies and non-Gypsies as a profound element of European modernity (I thought of this but wasn’t sure of the difference and the other sounded better). In this perspective, the Rom cultures appear to be the result of encounters and clashes between Gypsies and non-Gypsies throughout history. This change of prospective is not just theory, since it contradicts many generally accepted ideas (sounds more English) and does not allow for any hurried generalisations. The category “Gypsy” is, above all, a western concept, a negative mark that the Roms have objected to with their strategies that are always linked to the local and variable context.
I rom d'Europa. Una storia moderna
PIASERE, Leonardo
2004-01-01
Abstract
There are two ways of describing those that are usually called “Gypsies”. The first consists of considering them as marginal beings to be reconciled with the rest of society. The second considers the relationship between Gypsies and non-Gypsies as a profound element of European modernity (I thought of this but wasn’t sure of the difference and the other sounded better). In this perspective, the Rom cultures appear to be the result of encounters and clashes between Gypsies and non-Gypsies throughout history. This change of prospective is not just theory, since it contradicts many generally accepted ideas (sounds more English) and does not allow for any hurried generalisations. The category “Gypsy” is, above all, a western concept, a negative mark that the Roms have objected to with their strategies that are always linked to the local and variable context.
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