Roma, The Untouchables

The largest Roma population in the EU resides in Romania. Although Romanians are different from the Roma, many people equal Roma with Romanian. For Romania this is uncomfortable, because they don’t want their reputation tarnished by wandering and thieving Gypsies.

The Roma are most likely originally from India, where approximately one in four Indians are the poorest of the poor, downtrodden, soul-less, untouchables – Dalits. According to the Hindu sacred texts, the Vedas,  people without caste (social status by birth) are not entitled to even basic human rights of education or respect.

Now the Romanian government is attempting to pass a new bill, where the Romas won’t be confused with Romanians anymore. They will be called by a new name, Tigan, which comes from Greek meaning “pagan”, “heretic” and “untouchable“. Obviously Roma activists are furious about this and have organized protests on the streets of Bucharest.

In the “civilized” Europe we easily condemn human rights abuses in India and other distant places, but practice the same kind of oppression in our own, perhaps more sanitized way.

Read more from The Economist or Time.

I’d Like to Help from a Distance, Please

I see her in her dirty dress and outstretched hand.  I should help, but I don’t want to get involved. What if she wants to talk? What if she needs a place to stay? I can’t take her home with me.

It is so much easier to give money to a charity that will do the dirty work for you. Perhaps it makes it easier to pass that bearded, dirty man with a glazed stare on the street.

Finnish people have been puzzled with a phenomenon the past few years. Roma, Gypsies from Eastern Europe have utilized their freedom to travel within the European Union and hundreds have showed up in Finland. They have shocked Finns by begging on the streets and living in camps on the outskirts of cities. In this organized, civilized and socialized nation this is unheard of. The debate is heated. Should they be kicked out? Should you give money to them? Some want to make begging illegal.

There are millions of Roma in Europe. They are looked down upon, ignored, ignorant, dirty and hopeless. It is easy to feel sorry for the Roma when you read a brochure about their plight and give a small donation. But when they show up at your doorstep, it becomes an invitation to get involved.

Why the Poor Can Afford Everything and the Rich Nothing?

On a recent visit to Romania I stayed with a Roma family. The Roma, also called Gypsies, are often poor, uneducated and definitely looked down upon. The village I visited wasn’t the worst of them, because this tribe is full of musicians. They play weddings and other celebrations for good money. The Christian culture in Romania (and much of Eastern Europe) is very traditional. Women wear skirts, head coverings and no makeup or jewelery to church. They clearly set apart the Christian life and the secular.

The Roma pastor I stayed with is an excellent musician, who used to earn thousands of euros for one gig. Since becoming a follower of Jesus he has decided not to play weddings and other festivities where drunkenness and other ungodly things occur. He decided he’d only play for God. Since then their family has not been financially secure. They have always had what they needed but not much more. He literally lives by faith.

Now this man had 15 people stay at his house, including me. He even gave up his bed and the only heated room in the house and slept with his wife in one of the cold back rooms. They served us food, cleaned the floors of our muddy steps and smiled and loved on us.

I am always amazed at how people who do not have much, give so generously. And many who have plenty don’t realize how much they have and act stingily. How crazy is it that we need to learn from the have-nots how to give?