Comments on: The New Gypsies http://www.retronaut.co/2011/10/the-new-gypsies/ The past is a foreign country. This is your passport. Tue, 22 Nov 2024 20:16:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: kaitlyn http://www.retronaut.co/2011/10/the-new-gypsies/#comment-87435 kaitlyn Tue, 15 Nov 2024 19:52:40 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=31660#comment-87435 I'm just wondering.... Germaine... If you are a gypsy...how are you on a computer typing?? If you are truly one who wanders, without a "home base" so to speak.... Just curious, not poking fun or anything. I think we could label these folks as the "new" gypsies... as in constantly traveling, not settled down in one place. Yes, I've seen folks at renaissance faires kinda dress this way....Ren faires in recent years have turned into more of a masquerade thing more than a historical thing (you want historical, join the SCA). You also see fairies and people dressed as their D&D charactors (or worse--I have also seen Indiana Jones and Goku from DBZ). But I digress. Most folks like to play "dress up"--these folks just do it on the move (maybe we could classify this as the flip side of "Steampunk"??) I don't know if you all get what I'm trying to say, not so sure myself...all I know is, if you get offended by people who are, in essence, playing "let's pretend"--why are you on this site? This site is about time, and how one can construe and interpret it. Perhaps Mr. Germaine can post some pictures of the "real" gypsies he is used to, and even the score... "....Time has to go *somewhere*--it doesn't get all used up at once...." --Neil Gaiman Thanks for letting me rant. Or whatever. I’m just wondering…. Germaine… If you are a gypsy…how are you on a computer typing?? If you are truly one who wanders, without a “home base” so to speak….

Just curious, not poking fun or anything.

I think we could label these folks as the “new” gypsies… as in constantly traveling, not settled down in one place. Yes, I’ve seen folks at renaissance faires kinda dress this way….Ren faires in recent years have turned into more of a masquerade thing more than a historical thing (you want historical, join the SCA). You also see fairies and people dressed as their D&D charactors (or worse–I have also seen Indiana Jones and Goku from DBZ). But I digress.

Most folks like to play “dress up”–these folks just do it on the move (maybe we could classify this as the flip side of “Steampunk”??)

I don’t know if you all get what I’m trying to say, not so sure myself…all I know is, if you get offended by people who are, in essence, playing “let’s pretend”–why are you on this site? This site is about time, and how one can construe and interpret it.

Perhaps Mr. Germaine can post some pictures of the “real” gypsies he is used to, and even the score…

“….Time has to go *somewhere*–it doesn’t get all used up at once….” –Neil Gaiman

Thanks for letting me rant. Or whatever.

]]> By: Lucius Marcus http://www.retronaut.co/2011/10/the-new-gypsies/#comment-86037 Lucius Marcus Tue, 01 Nov 2024 04:54:15 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=31660#comment-86037 Dictionary defines 'gypsy' as an ethnic group and separately as lifestyle. If these folks are off the system and essentially wanderers, they are by definition gypsies. These photos aren't comparing them to ethnic Gypsies. People, relax. Dictionary defines ‘gypsy’ as an ethnic group and separately as lifestyle. If these folks are off the system and essentially wanderers, they are by definition gypsies. These photos aren’t comparing them to ethnic Gypsies. People, relax.

]]> By: Austin http://www.retronaut.co/2011/10/the-new-gypsies/#comment-81112 Austin Tue, 11 Oct 2024 18:50:43 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=31660#comment-81112 Actually there are two different classifications of gypsy. one, with a capital G (Gypsy) refers to the ethnic group; whereas gypsy does in fact refer to a lifestyle choice not an ethnicity. In any case, making a choice to live the way they have chosen is not "playing something of game of pretend." This is how these people live. Disparity of nomenclature aside, you are asking for people to sympathize with the plight of your ethnic group, while degrading the lives the people in these pictures have built. That's not ignorant, it's just offensive. Show compassion when asking for it in kind. They may not be Roma/Gypsy, but that does not invalidate their gypsy lifestyle. Actually there are two different classifications of gypsy. one, with a capital G (Gypsy) refers to the ethnic group; whereas gypsy does in fact refer to a lifestyle choice not an ethnicity.
In any case, making a choice to live the way they have chosen is not “playing something of game of pretend.” This is how these people live. Disparity of nomenclature aside, you are asking for people to sympathize with the plight of your ethnic group, while degrading the lives the people in these pictures have built. That’s not ignorant, it’s just offensive.
Show compassion when asking for it in kind. They may not be Roma/Gypsy, but that does not invalidate their gypsy lifestyle.

]]> By: Germaine de Pibrac James http://www.retronaut.co/2011/10/the-new-gypsies/#comment-80300 Germaine de Pibrac James Sun, 09 Oct 2024 04:22:14 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=31660#comment-80300 Authentic? Are you kidding me? We don't dress up in silly costumes. There are a wide variety of native dress depending on your vitsa-where your family is from, ranging from India to the U.S. and South America. Sinti like the Kalo in Spain and the Manouche in France can also vary widely from the traditional idea of Roma wear. Many modern Roma don't even wear these. Cites your sources. Produce authentic links that show Roma dress up in bad Halloween costumes. Travellers, which the Pavee spell with two L's in general, don't dress up like this either. Ren Faire people do- hence the identification. Also, you missed the main point Gypsy does not equal lifestyle. These people are free to get up to whatever they like but that doesn't make them Gypsies/Roma. It doesn't matter what the children where raised as-they are not gypsy. If they want to have a semi-nomadic made up lifestyle that is their choice and freedom. But calling people who are playing something of game of pretend however long it goes on in made up costumes by the name of a persecuted ethnicity is ignorant. Again I suggest you start with Patrin and educate yourself on the variety of modern Roma, both those who practice older customs of both dress and culture and modern practice Roma who wear pretty much what any one else does. Dr. Hancock is a professor at the University of Texas and he wears what other professors wear from business casual to suits, etc. By stating that they "look authentic" to you when you are clearly not conversant with Roma either traditional or modern, you are further perpetuating myths, stereotypes and ignorance. Did you Google what has been happening in places like Bulgaria and even Italy? You might have seen real Roma and perhaps understood the gravity of the situation. We look back now on minstrel shows as repugnant and ignorant. Dressing up and calling yourself Gypsy is just as offensive, most especially in light of the the thousands who died in the camps and the many who continue to suffer from human rights abuses such as forced sterilization, false imprisonment, denial of education and access to housing and work and the most basic necessities of life. Another excellent source is Amnesty International- Google Amnesty and antiziganism and you will find a wealth of information http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/feature-stories/europes-roma-community-still-facing-massive-discrimination-20090408 Authentic? Are you kidding me? We don’t dress up in silly costumes. There are a wide variety of native dress depending on your vitsa-where your family is from, ranging from India to the U.S. and South America. Sinti like the Kalo in Spain and the Manouche in France can also vary widely from the traditional idea of Roma wear. Many modern Roma don’t even wear these. Cites your sources. Produce authentic links that show Roma dress up in bad Halloween costumes. Travellers, which the Pavee spell with two L’s in general, don’t dress up like this either. Ren Faire people do- hence the identification. Also, you missed the main point Gypsy does not equal lifestyle. These people are free to get up to whatever they like but that doesn’t make them Gypsies/Roma. It doesn’t matter what the children where raised as-they are not gypsy. If they want to have a semi-nomadic made up lifestyle that is their choice and freedom. But calling people who are playing something of game of pretend however long it goes on in made up costumes by the name of a persecuted ethnicity is ignorant. Again I suggest you start with Patrin and educate yourself on the variety of modern Roma, both those who practice older customs of both dress and culture and modern practice Roma who wear pretty much what any one else does. Dr. Hancock is a professor at the University of Texas and he wears what other professors wear from business casual to suits, etc. By stating that they “look authentic” to you when you are clearly not conversant with Roma either traditional or modern, you are further perpetuating myths, stereotypes and ignorance. Did you Google what has been happening in places like Bulgaria and even Italy? You might have seen real Roma and perhaps understood the gravity of the situation. We look back now on minstrel shows as repugnant and ignorant. Dressing up and calling yourself Gypsy is just as offensive, most especially in light of the the thousands who died in the camps and the many who continue to suffer from human rights abuses such as forced sterilization, false imprisonment, denial of education and access to housing and work and the most basic necessities of life. Another excellent source is Amnesty International- Google Amnesty and antiziganism and you will find a wealth of information http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/feature-stories/europes-roma-community-still-facing-massive-discrimination-20090408

]]> By: Elisha etc http://www.retronaut.co/2011/10/the-new-gypsies/#comment-79997 Elisha etc Sat, 08 Oct 2024 05:55:28 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=31660#comment-79997 They certainly don't look like "Ren Fair Gypsies" to me. Rather, they look authentic, so I Googled this some more to see if they were Travelers mislabeled as Gypsies (same ancient lifestyle, same discrimination, different ethnicity-- not Roma but Irish). They're not. They're leftovers from some 1980s "Post-Punk Anti-Thatcher protesters" movement, and despite all that garbage and plastic in the above photo, they're supposedly committed to the sustainable lifestyle. Not too sure I buy that. Still, Germaine, you're condemning assumptions in the same sentence that you're making them. These people sought out this lifestyle willingly, but they've also been at it for nearly three decades, and therefore it's all some of the younger ones pictured above know. They certainly don’t look like “Ren Fair Gypsies” to me. Rather, they look authentic, so I Googled this some more to see if they were Travelers mislabeled as Gypsies (same ancient lifestyle, same discrimination, different ethnicity– not Roma but Irish). They’re not. They’re leftovers from some 1980s “Post-Punk Anti-Thatcher protesters” movement, and despite all that garbage and plastic in the above photo, they’re supposedly committed to the sustainable lifestyle. Not too sure I buy that.

Still, Germaine, you’re condemning assumptions in the same sentence that you’re making them. These people sought out this lifestyle willingly, but they’ve also been at it for nearly three decades, and therefore it’s all some of the younger ones pictured above know.

]]> By: Karla Bryant http://www.retronaut.co/2011/10/the-new-gypsies/#comment-79996 Karla Bryant Sat, 08 Oct 2024 05:42:52 +0000 http://howtobearetronaut.com/?p=31660#comment-79996 These are photos of people posing in the most negative, stereotypical way...not real gypsies. It serves to reinforce the prejudice against those of real Rroma ethnicity...just look at one of the comments which calls for them to not have any children. Old, bitter bigotry is hard to overcome and photos like these do nothing to help. These are photos of people posing in the most negative, stereotypical way…not real gypsies. It serves to reinforce the prejudice against those of real Rroma ethnicity…just look at one of the comments which calls for them to not have any children. Old, bitter bigotry is hard to overcome and photos like these do nothing to help.

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