IV.
Academic Studies on the Roma in Eastern Europe
A. Eastern European
Roma: Books, Articles, and Papers
BARANY, Zoltan. “Grim Realities in Eastern Europe.” Transitions,
Vol. 1, No. 4 (29 March, 1995), pp. 3-8.
A thoughtful look at the sad plight of the Roma
in Eastern Europe since the collapse of communism. According to the author,
who has done extensive fieldwork among the Roma, approximately 5 million
Roma live in this troubled part of Europe, and suffer from grave discrimination.
This, coupled with their dire socio-economic status, creates barriers to
their own growth and development. Failed government efforts to address
adequately what the author calls the region’s time bomb could haunt Eastern
Europe in the 21st century.
BARANY, Zoltan D. “Living on the Edge: The East European Roma in Postcommunist
Politics and Societies.” Slavic Review, Vol. 53, No. 2 (Summer 1994),
pp. 321-344.
This article discusses the socio-political and
economic conditions the Roma have faced in Eastern Europe since the collapse
of communism. It looks at the impact of the dramatic changes that have
taken place in the region and how this has affected the Roma, particularly
on questions of identity and marginalization. The author ends his fine
essay with a discussion of the international dimensions of what he calls
the Gypsy question, particularly as it affects international organizations
and the migration of the Roma.
BARANY, Zoltan. Marginality, Ethnopolitics, and The Question of Security:
The East European Roma. St. Louis, MO: Center for International Studies,
Occasional Paper No. 9703, February 1997.
This paper explores the impact of the changes
that have swept Eastern Europe since 1989 on the marginalization of the
Roma. He examines in some depth the changes in Romany socio-economic and
political marginalization and looks at questions surrounding the actual
security of the Roma in East European society since 1989. He also looks
at the impact of these changes on Romany political awareness and activity.
He concludes that failure by governments throughout the region to do more
to aid the Roma has serious security implications.
BAUER, Yehuda. Continuing Ferment in Eastern Europe. SICSA Report
4:1-2. Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism,
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
This report about nationalism and racism proffers
an analogy between radical anti-Semitism and anti-Gypsy sentiment in Eastern
Europe.
CAHN, Claude. “An Ordinary Pogrom.” Transitions, Vol. 4, No. 4 (September
1997), pp. 30-35.
A look at the anti-Roma riot or pogrom in the
ethnic Hungarian village of Velyka Dobron in Ukraine on September 10-11,
1995, where villagers burned 12 Romany homes, and forced the village’s
Roma to live in nearby forests for months afterwards. This firsthand investigation
of the riot paints a grim picture of the anti-Roma sentiments still present
in Central and Eastern Europe.
CLAUDE, Patrick. “Gypsies Still Encounter Wide Discrimination.” Manchester
Guardian ( 4 February 1990), p. 4.
This article targets Western European public
opinion and urges greater tolerance towards the Roma, while disclosing
the discrimination and prejudice towards the Roma in Eastern Europe.
CROWE, David M. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame Perpetuates Negative Gypsy
Stereotypes.” Greensboro News & Record (August 4, 1996), p.
F3.
This guest editorial strongly criticizes the
Walt Disney Productions film because of the stereotypes it uses in this
distorted interpretation of Victor Hugo’s novel. The author feels that
this film helps perpeturate a negative image of the Roma that has haunted
them for centuries.
CROWE, David M. A History of the Gypsies of Eastern Europe and Russia.
New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1994.
This history looks in some details at the history
of the Roma in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Russia, and
Yugoslavia. It begins with the entrance of the Roma into the Balkans during
the Middle Ages, and traces their experiences in this part of the world
through the late to mid-1990s. It is anchored by a lengthy bibliography.
CROWE, David M. and John KOLSTI, eds. The Gypsies of Eastern Europe.
(with an introduction by I. Hancock). Armonk, N.Y.: M. E. Sharpe, 1991.
This is a collection of ten essays about Romany
history in Germany, Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Romania, the Czech
Republic, and Slovakia. It contains several valuable chapters dealing with
the Holocaust and includes a solid bibliography.
DRUCKER, Jeremy. “Present but Unaccounted For.” Transitions, Vol.
4, No. 4 (September 1997), pp. 22-23.
This article takes a brief look at the difficulty
in gauging the number of Roma in Central and Eastern Europe. The author
feels that government data is unreliable and that Romany groups tend to
exaggerate their numbers. He uses data from the Minorities at Risk project
and other sources on this question to show the wide range of estimates
for the Romany populations in each Central and East European country.
Great Britain. Foreign Office Weekly Political Intelligence Summaries.
New York: Kraus International, 1983: No. 83 (7 May 1941), p. 15; No. 87
(4 June 1941), p. 15; No. 96; (7 August 1941), pp. 15-16.
These articles survey various incidents across
Eastern and Western Europe in which the Roma fell victim to totalitarian
governmental policies.
HANCOCK, Ian. “The Struggle for the Control of Identity.” Transitions,
Vol. 4, No. 4, (September 1997), pp. 36-44.
This look at the complex issue of Romany ethnic
identity from one of the world’s premier Roma experts, himself a British
Roma. The essay begins with a group of Roma gathered around a campfire
in Texas, where they are discussing Romany identity. One of the problems
with regard to Romany identity is resistance among some Roma to be identified
as such, while other non-Roma specialists try to force identity upon the
Roma. Yet the author feels that such issues are secondary when compared
to the more complex day-to-day problems facing the average Roma. He makes
a strong case at the end of this excellent article for the Indian origins
of Europe’s Roma.
HUTTENBACH, Henry R., ed. “The Gypsies of Eastern Europe”. (Special Issue)
Nationalities Papers. Vol. XIX, No. 3 (Fall 1991).
This innovative collection of essays includes
works by scholars who specialize in Romany studies. Most of the articles
provide geographical coverage on the history of the Roma in Czechoslovakia,
Hungary, Ukraine, the former Soviet Union and Germany. There are also essays
on the Holocaust and Romany nationalism as well as a fine bibliographical
piece by Diane Tong on the Roma in Central and Eastern Europe. Henry Huttenbach
concludes this collection with a brief article on the Romany collection
at the World Romani Union in Texas.
KAWCZYNSKI, Rudko. “The Politics of Romani Politics.” Transitions,
Vol. 4, No. 4 (September 1997), pp. 24-29.
The author feels that a change is taking place
in traditional Romany efforts to put the needs of the majority at the forefront
of their political efforts. Now, a new Romany civil rights movement is
emerging that is more aggressive in promoting Romany issues. He is also
critical of the Romany experts who dominate international Romany political
organizations, particularly those who are not Roma. He also finds fault
with the International Romany Union, but finds hope in more grassroots
Romany efforts such as those undertaken by the Roma and Sinti Union in
Germany, and Phralipe and the Roma Parliament in Hungary.
KENEDI, Janos. “Why Is the Gypsy the Scapegoat and Not the Jew?” East
European Reporter, 2, no. 1 (1986): pp. 11-14.
The author protests the poor treatment the Roma
still receive in Eastern Europe, in comparison to that of the Jews.
PEARSON, Raymond. National Minorities in Eastern Europe, 1848-1945.
London: Macmillan, 1983.
This study deals with the plight of minority
groups in the emerging nations of Eastern century from the mid-19th century
until the end of World War II. It contains valuable insight into the place
of the Roma in these emerging societies. The most valuable parts of this
study are the sections on Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Holocaust. It also
contains valuable demographic information and a good bibliography.
PETROVNA, Dimitrina. “Get Out, You Stinking Gypsy.” Transitions,
Vol. 4, No. 4 (September 1997), pp. 14-21.
This article looks at the intensity of anti-Roma
prejudice in Eastern Europe and Russia. Using contemporary examples, the
author paints a picture of virulent hatred towards the Roma. She argues
that most of Eastern Europe and Russia is dangerous for the Roma, and underscores
the serious socio-economic and educational problems that prevent the Roma
from improving their already desperate plight in this part of Europe.
PLEVEN, Nancy. “For Eastern Europe’s Gypsies, A Time of Suffering.” The
Sante Fe New Mexican (May 16, 1995), pp. A1-A5.
This article, which is part of a series on Macedonia,
is based on the author’s field work there and on interviews with David
M. Crowe. It emphasizes the sad plight of Romany women in this part of
the former Yugoslavia, and the desperate poverty that haunts them.
PUXON, Grattan. “Gypsies: Blacks of East Europe.” The Nation 222
(17 April 1976): pp. 460-64.
This unique essay compares the strong spirit
of anti-Romany prejudice in Eastern Europe to prejudice against African-Americans
in the United States. His essay provides a strong argument for this claim.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “The Politics of Intolerance.” Special
Issue. RFE/RL Research Report, Vol. 3, No. 16 ( 22 April 1994).
This special issue looks at the rise of right
wing groups throughout Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the
former Soviet Union. Oftentimes, as many of these articles point out, the
victims of right-wing extremism are the Roma.
“Roma, Still Knocking on Europe’s Closed Doors.” Special Edition. Transitions,
Vol. 4, No. 4 (September 1997), pp. 3-51.
This excellent collection of articles on the
Roma in Eastern Europe deals with prejudice against them, the status of
Romany politics, Romany demographics, efforts by the Roma to maintain their
unique cultural and ethnic heritage, the myth and realities of the Romany
musical heritage, and a photographic essay on contemporary Romany life.
A more detailed breakdown of each article is scattered throughout this
section of the bibliography.
ROSENBLUM, Mort. “The Gypsy Problem Grows: East Europeans Can’t Control
Gypsies.” San Antonio Express ( 25 March 1984), p. C1.
This article denounces abuse towards the Roma,
such as coerced sterilization of Romany women and permanent removal of
their children.
SOLOVAR, Maura Griffin. “Against the Odds: The Politics of Disunity.” Transitions,
Vol. 1, No. 4 (29 March 1995), pp. 9-11.
A look at the difficulties the Roma face in attempting
to develop the political skills necessary to draw attention to their own
serious ethnic and socio-economic problems. The author feels that Romany
political fragmentation works against their potential strength as the region’s
largest minority. Part of the problem is the Roma’s distrust of non-Roma.
The Roma still lack formal minority status in most of Eastern Europe. Education,
the author points out, remains the key to the deeper integration of the
Roma in the countries throughout this area. Yet a distinction must be made
between integration and assimilation, since the latter practice often forces
the Roma to give up some or all of their rich ethnic and cultural heritage.
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