So I got (petty) mugged on the Light Rail this evening

Okay after reading StupidMoniker's statements and doing a little 'wiki'ing I don't wish to lump all Romani into one hated group. I'm just speaking on my experience from all the Romani I've met in my life...about 40+ total(4 groups of 10+) and they were not 'good people'. Yeah sure there have to be some good Romani people in the world, although I have yet to meet any. Though, I would like to meet some and ask them why the ones I've met were so confrontationally aggressive and encouraged their kids to steal while having no regard for others trying to help their family.

 

One of my good friends is Romani. She grew up in Tomball. Her parents were both retired military and she is one of the smartest and most honest people I've ever met. She's a firm believer that her people are the most hated and persecuted nomads that have ever walked the Earth. She broke free of the culture, and there are plenty others that have as well. You just might not know any because they keep their heritage secret. My friend could pass for about any light to medium tan-skinned culture that you're familiar - hispanic, greek, italian, jewish, arab, you name it.

 

Obviously those that don't keep their heritage and culture are different than those that do retain them, as far as how they treat others and act in public. Assimilation. She's become Americanized...there are many groups of folks that come over and change. How well do you think she would be doing if she continued her Romani culture?

 

Well we are all sly cunning cheats who put on an honorable respectful front to fool people.

Anyway good points SM.

 

Well they don't have a lot of them down in Lakeville where Bobrek is.

 

You are aware that there are Irish gypsies, Middle-Eastern gypsies, German gypsies, Asian gypsies, Indian gypsies, etc, right? If so, you are aware that you are the one lumping in an entire group (Romani) with another sub-group (gypsies), right?

I don't disparage anyone for their race, but there are certain cultural phenomena that might make me wary, and gypsy culture is certainly one of those. Had we all been more aware of who was surrounding us at the time, then perhaps there would not have been a robbery attempt on my mother.

Given your insistence that the term "gypsy" is a pejorative against the Romani, I'll say this: I'm not going to lump all of the Romani (or Irish, German, Middle Eastern, et al) in with the gypsies. To do that would equate to racism. But that is not what I've done here exactly because there are gypsies in virtually every race on the planet. Because of this, term itself cannot equal one race in particular, so the charge of racism is ridiculous.

I'm not going to blanket an entire culture as you have done (Romani, in this case) in with another sub-culture when that sub-culture itself is made up of so many other cultures and races. That would be racism.

I was doing the opposite of making "blanket declarations disparaging to the entire people." If I meant "Roma," I would have said "Roma."

 

there is a very famous group called: Gypsy Kings they live in France but they are spanish gypsy's

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I am aware there are Irish Travellers that are sometimes pejoratively referred to as Gypsies because they are considered to have the same stereotypical negative behaviors as Romani.

I am aware that people of Romani descent from Germany are referred to as German Gypsies or Black Dutch, because old time Americans didn't know what Deutsche meant.

I am aware of the Dom , who are sometimes called Gypsies and may or may not be related to the Romani. Most likely they are not, but the name was used for both people because of the mistaken impression that they were the same group. The Banjara are sometimes referred to collectively with the Dombari as the Gypsies of India, but that most likely just refers to their nomadic nature.

Did I miss any? It seems that Gypsy is almost always used in a pejorative manner, and refers either to the Romani, or to a group that people think resembles the negative stereotypes associated with the Romani. Kind of like wiggers. That certainly makes it better.

 

OMG that reverse thief.



Kidding. Sounds like you handled things really well, emjohn. I'm impressed that the cops were able to be useful.

 

Every time I've traveled, particularly to Europe, I've been aware of potential pickpockets, thieves, etc. who target foreign tourists. One would be dense to not be aware of these things. You are far more likely to get your pocket picked by some kid who was taught and brought up to pick pockets and who will in turn raise his kids to do the same.

Without going too far into it, I think there are plenty of cool and interesting aspects of gypsy culture. It's too bad there is such a huge problem with thievery/robbery.

Regardless, it was not my intent to disparage anyone based on race.

Apologies for contributing to thread derailment, emjohn, and I'm glad you're okay.

 

yup, they went up last year, and actually just went up to $99 beginning of the month, I think it depends on the carrier because Asurion also did Tmobile and they had a $120 deductible when I had my G1 phone.

Did you get lucky and get a Droid 2?