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When In Roma...

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amadeza
07/02/09

In reply to When In Roma...
As someone of 1/4th Romani heritage, it made me irrationally happy to not find the word "gypsy" on this page.
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Vivien Smith-Smythe-Smith
07/03/09

I'm also part Romany, but I have no problem with using the word 'Gypsy'. This could be partly due to the fact that the Gypsy side of my family comes via England, rather than directly from Eastern Europe, but I couldn't say for sure. I do hate having to clarify every once in a while that it is actually an ethnic identity rather than a bohemian lifestyle choice, but other than that, I'm sweet. I do understand the distaste of others for the word however, but I don't think it's an especially anti-ziganist term.

@amadeza: I don't know if this is a fair comparison; I think American Indian > Native American is a more appropriate comparison to make.

Injun is an [American] racial slur akin to chink, nigger, paddy, or kike (obvs. the offensiveness varies a bit, but they're all abhorrent and racist terms), whereas 'Gypsy' comes from a historical misunderstanding that the Romani originated from Egypt (they actually came from India).

But that's just my pedantry showing :)
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wonderlandkat
07/04/09

@Vivien Smith-Smythe-Smith: Some Roma consider Gypsy to be a slur equivalent to that sort of slur. Just because it comes from a historical inaccuracy doesn't mean that it can't be just as offensive, especially considering how it's used (and that it's the origin of the term to "gyp somebody"
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Vivien Smith-Smythe-Smith
07/05/09

@wonderlandkat: Oh I am aware of that context, which is why I not only don't use that word, I also will call people out if I do hear them using it- a racial slur is as a racial slur does, I guess.
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