The ‘Gypsy Problem’: Roma in Communist and Post-Communist Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia Beloit College 32 nd Annual Student Symposium Presentation and photos: Melany Williams Advisors: John Rapp & Andras Boros-Kazai

Who are the Roma?

Roots in India & Pakistan

Traditionally Nomadic People

Despised & Marginalized

The Roma in Eastern Europe Indian/Pakistani roots Ethnic identity preserved for 700 years Non-homogeneous group Inter-Roma relations characterized by conflict Marginalized and despised within the dominant culture

Indian/Pakistani roots

Ethnic identity preserved for 700 years

Non-homogeneous group

Inter-Roma relations characterized by conflict

Marginalized and despised within the dominant culture

The Roma under Communism Communist policies aimed at assimilation or ‘integration’ Goal of transforming the Roma into ‘useful’ members of society Deeply impacted by Communist policy

Communist policies aimed at assimilation or ‘integration’

Goal of transforming the Roma into ‘useful’ members of society

Deeply impacted by Communist policy

Three-Line Model of Communist Systems: Edward Friedman Stalinism: Coercion, state-controlled heavy industry Titoism: Remunerative incentives, and ‘abundance for the working class’ Maoism: Normative, ideological, emphasis on equality Expanded: Ceausescuism: Hypernationalist Communism

Stalinism: Coercion, state-controlled heavy industry

Titoism: Remunerative incentives, and ‘abundance for the working class’

Maoism: Normative, ideological, emphasis on equality

Expanded: Ceausescuism: Hypernationalist Communism

Stalinist Policy: Romania & Slovakia Forced settlement Collectivization and centralized resource allocation Penalized unemployment and illegal employment Scapegoating Denial of ethnic minority status Cultural Homogenization Relocation Pressured sterilization

Forced settlement

Collectivization and centralized resource allocation

Penalized unemployment and illegal employment

Scapegoating

Denial of ethnic minority status

Cultural Homogenization

Relocation

Pressured sterilization

Forced Settlement

Previously Sedentary

Sterilization of Roma Women

Effects of Stalinist Policy Nomadic way of life eradicated Traditional professions lost Negative public opinion towards the Roma Lost homes & hostile neighbors Some lost ethnic identity

Nomadic way of life eradicated

Traditional professions lost

Negative public opinion towards the Roma

Lost homes & hostile neighbors

Some lost ethnic identity

Effects of Stalinist Policy Post-Communism Nationalism and ethnic hatred Poor economic situation

Nationalism and ethnic hatred

Poor economic situation

Titoist Policy: Hungary Allowed some traditional professions Tolerated semi-nomadic lifestyle Granted ethnic minority status Loosened national borders

Allowed some traditional professions

Tolerated semi-nomadic lifestyle

Granted ethnic minority status

Loosened national borders

Effects of Titoist Policy Greater mobility Increased black market trade Increased Roma solidarity Roma intelligentsia

Greater mobility

Increased black market trade

Increased Roma solidarity

Roma intelligentsia

Effects of Titoist Policy Post-Communism Activism Professed tolerance Political Representation Educational attainment

Activism

Professed tolerance

Political Representation

Educational attainment

Maoist Policy: Romania Sought to improve equality Housing Employment Education Medical care Fostered ideological support

Sought to improve equality

Housing

Employment

Education

Medical care

Fostered ideological support

Housing

Education Photo by Andrew Haines

Photo by Andrew Haines

Effects of Maoist Policy Increased living standards Ghettoization Increased educational attainment Guaranteed employment Suppression of anti-Roma violence Fostered ideological support

Increased living standards

Ghettoization

Increased educational attainment

Guaranteed employment

Suppression of anti-Roma violence

Fostered ideological support

Effects of Maoist Policy Post-Communism Lost jobs Backlash of anti-Roma violence

Lost jobs

Backlash of anti-Roma violence

Ceausescuist Policy: Romania Hypernationalism Not allowed to form cultural associations “ Hidden Gypsy musician” Cultural homogenization

Hypernationalism

Not allowed to form cultural associations

“ Hidden Gypsy musician”

Cultural homogenization

Effects of Ceausescuist Policy Cultural homogenization Artificial and coerced assimilation

Cultural homogenization

Artificial and coerced assimilation

Effects of Ceausescuist Policy Post-Communism Ethnic violence Ill prepared for political representation Lack resources Poor leadership Lack of unity

Ethnic violence

Ill prepared for political representation

Lack resources

Poor leadership

Lack of unity

The Roma Today Heavily dependent on limited welfare resources What are the effects of European Union membership on the Roma situation?

Heavily dependent on limited welfare resources

What are the effects of European Union membership on the Roma situation?

Questions?