The ‘Gypsy Problem’:

Roma in Communist and Post-Communist Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia

Beloit College 32nd Annual Student SymposiumPresentation 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

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

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

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

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

Effects of Stalinist PolicyPost-Communism

• 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

Effects of Titoist Policy

• Greater mobility• Increased black market trade• Increased Roma solidarity• Roma intelligentsia

Effects of Titoist PolicyPost-Communism

• Activism• Professed tolerance• Political Representation• Educational attainment

Maoist Policy:Romania

• Sought to improve equality– Housing – Employment– Education – Medical care

• Fostered ideological support

Housing

Education

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

Effects of Maoist PolicyPost-Communism

• Lost jobs • Backlash of anti-Roma violence

Ceausescuist Policy:Romania

• Hypernationalism• Not allowed to form cultural

associations• “Hidden Gypsy musician”• Cultural homogenization

Effects of Ceausescuist Policy

• Cultural homogenization• Artificial and coerced assimilation

Effects of Ceausescuist PolicyPost-Communism

• 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?

Questions?