Why I Hesitate to Share My Gypsy Identity
“Are they going to think I’m going to steal stuff from here?” This was the concern that prompted Chantelle to question whether to disclose her Romany background upon starting a new job. At just 23 and from Bedfordshire, she admits to feeling proud of her heritage but has often felt “nervous” due to the negative portrayal of her community in the media.
Representation in Media
Chantelle expresses that media often depicts Gypsies as antagonistic, stating, “When you watch films, it’s always like, ‘Oh, these are the Gypsies, they’re the bad guys.’” Her participation in Stacey Dooley’s BBC documentary, Growing Up Gypsy, provides insight into the lives of three young Romany women facing everyday challenges. The documentary coincides with the efforts of the charity Friends, Families, and Travellers (FFT), which tackles discrimination against the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) community.
Challenges in Professional Settings
Ebony, a 23-year-old beautician from Nottinghamshire, recalls an experience where a client expressed apprehension about parking near her area due to the presence of Gypsies. “And I was sat there, painting her nails, like: ‘Little do you know,'” she thought silently.
Defining the Romany Identity
Romany Gypsies form one of three ethnic groups within the GRT community. Some choose to identify as travelers while others prefer the term Gypsy. Dooley reflects on the privilege of being welcomed into the community and notes the unwelcome feelings some experience. As a Romany Gypsy herself, she has dealt with conflicting emotions regarding her identity.
Striving for Acceptance
At now 26, she embraces her heritage wholeheartedly, recounting joyful summers spent in her family’s cherry orchard. However, this was not always the case. Fear of facing derogatory comments made her hesitant to share her identity during school years. When applying for university, her parents advised against ticking the GRT box due to potential negative impact on her admission chances. Ultimately, she filled it in anyway and has since become more confident, although she admits that hesitation still lingers.
Ongoing Discrimination
“There is a lot of hate and discrimination against travellers, and people don’t get jobs because they’re travellers,” Ebony explains. A representative from the FFT reports that the prejudice directed towards the GRT community is extensive and frequently goes unchallenged. A 2021 YouGov poll conducted by FFT highlighted that 22% of participants would feel uncomfortable hiring a Gypsy or traveler.
Overcoming Obstacles
Chantelle has transitioned into a role as a content creator, amassing over 400,000 followers on TikTok, where she feels more at ease discussing her culture. She shares insights about her heritage and traditional recipes like bacon pudding, which she learned from her grandmother. Despite facing negative comments, which often stem from misunderstanding what it means to be a Gypsy, she continues to produce content and proudly declares, “I know we get talked about negatively, but I’m proud of it.”
A Hope for Change
Ebony’s wish is for those viewing the documentary to gain a deeper understanding of the GRT community, fostering less prejudice. “I don’t view every non-traveller as a bad person,” she asserts, pointing out that the GRT community experiences unjust treatment. “That’s what I would like people to sort of open their eyes to,” she adds.
Through the struggles documented in the lives of these Romany women, it becomes evident that while challenges persist, the journey towards acceptance and understanding is actively being pursued.
