In fact this is the first time someone called me a racist, and I felt horrible after you wrote that. Not one of my international friends ever called me that, even though we discussed such issues several times. You could label me stubborn, but why racist?
Actually I expected to discuss the cultural side of the conflict, but of course, the conversation quickly jumped into a racist discussion, which I wanted to avoid from the very beginning. Be careful! Is it classified?
This diary and your comments on it are full of sweeping generalizations and negative stereotypes about an oppressed minority. It sounds to me, and apparently to several other people who have commented on this thread, that you are arguing that discrimination against an entire ethnic group is justified because some members of that group do things you don't like.
If that is not what you mean, perhaps you need to clarify your statements a bit further.
I just had a discussion with my friends about this thread, who comforted me, saying that it is always hard to explain the problem with gypsies to a foreigner; over lunch they asked me to illustrate to you (and the readers) the situation with a specific example, which they reminded me of.
Have you seen Dave Chapell's show, he's a black American comedian, who likes discussing just such issues. He says, "Now, there are niggers and black people. I can't stand the average nigger that tries to get away with crimes, because that gives black people a bad image."
Do you now understand how Bulgarians perceive the Roma? We can't stand those who steal, but we accept the ones that don't. The average Bulgarian is not a racist, but an extreme patriot, something typical for the Balkan nations. Be careful! Is it classified?
If I am robbed by someone with blue eyes, it does not make it OK for me to despise all people with blue eyes. If I see my fellow citizens discriminating against innocent blue-eyed people, it is my responsibility to say something.
Do you now understand how Bulgarians perceive the Roma?
I never had a problem understanding that. What I don't understand is why you would defend it, instead of trying to change it.
We can't stand those who steal, but we accept the ones that don't.
It doesn't sound to me like that is true.
And what I am trying to say to you is that no matter what, it is not OK to demonize an entire people.
Never meant otherwise, that's why I created this discussion. If I didn't care for the attitude towards Roma, I wouldn't discuss it. Now I am concerned that international viewers of the discussion automatically took the side of the minority, which is extremely disturbing.
I want to change the way Bulgarians threat people who look like Roma. Some don't have a problem with that - most Bulgarins engage in helping Roma children in foster homes and really like it (and there are mostly Roma children there). But I would never acquit anyone who resides in Bulgaria and doesn't play by the rules, which all the others have to follow (not breaking the law, paying taxes, etc.). If the Roma want Bulgarian citizenship, then they are expected to follow the law, just as the rest of us.
We can't stand those who steal, but we accept the ones that don't. It doesn't sound to me like that is true.
As I said in my replies, we own a shop and trade with Roma, because some of them travel outside Bulgaria and act as dstributors. Additionally, there are famous Roma orchestra, which are great. There are small Roma firms as well. But you won't see big Roma bosses (except the so called "barons", basically Roma mafia bosses) or Roma salesman. I am surprised that even international companies refuse to hire Roma, even though they don't have a long history in Bulgaria (and hence be culturally biased). Be careful! Is it classified?
