By Gabriela Magurova Srobarova High School Kosice, Slovakia
Romas are one of the few world's nations that has never had any country of their own and neither does long for one. They never lead any wars. They are the only nation to which neither the start nor the end of journey matters. They call it lungo drom, long journey. (Reflex 19/98) Unfortunately, people think terrible things about Romas: that they don't work; are lazy and dirty; are criminals and uncivilized. These are some of the most common, and often unfounded, views on Roms shared by a majority of the Slovak population. A 1997 survey showed that 86 percent of Slovaks have a negative attitude toward Roms, the third worst figure in Europe, just behind Romania and the Czech Republic. The so-called "Roma-question" has been one of the most serious problems of this society for decades. Today when estimates claim that there are as many as 300,000 Roms living in Slovakia, which in proportion to overall population puts it in first place in Europe, it can't be ignored anymore. The continuing exodus of Roms from Czech and Slovak Republics has been at least successful in drawing attention to the ever-worsening situation. The main motive for the post-war migration of Slovak Roms to Czech lands was desire for improved economic and social status, not without parallel to the present-day situation.
But, sure enough, the migration will not only create problems in the receiving countries, but in Slovakia it will deepen the existing gaps between the Romas and the Slovak majority, as the people who leave are the most assertive Romas, and ones who remain are either the very poorest, or rich ones who "earn" their living by illegal means. Further, as visas are to be reintroduced to halt the migration, this will create more resentment among the remaining population. It is most likely that as much as 90 percent of migrating Romas won't be able to prove "immediate danger" posed on them in their home country, which won't qualify them for a refugee status and Jack Straw, the British Home Secretary, repeatedly stressed that no economic migrants will be tolerated, so they will be sent back home. As many Romas have sold their flats in order to obtain money for plane tickets for whole families, new problems with housing will arise.
The solution to the Roma-problem is seeking a model of society that allows for different cultures and encourages their development. The majority must be willing to accept the minority with its differences, and the minority must be willing to adapt in some ways. This is a matter of many generations and lots of learning about each other, which is a great deal more difficult than seeking for the differences. The society must ripe, so that it can accept differences, and this can only be achieved through education and creating opportunities for self-realization.
It is essential that we realize that even though Romas came to these lands several hundreds of years later, they are not visitors in this country, but legitimate, lawful citizens.