8th April- International Roma Day. A day for celebration, recognition and vindication
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Over the last years, the '8th of April ' is gaining notoriety, serving as occasion for different celebrations and communications from multiple national and European institutions.
It is also a date for recognition, for remembering the history of the Roma people, their long and painful pilgrimage marked by expulsions down through the centuries; a date to remember the victims of the Nazi genocide and of so many persecutions throughout history.
This year, organizations forming part in the State Council of the Roma People have developed an awareness raising campaign regarding one of the definitions the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language (RAE) gives for the term gitano (Roma in Spanish), “swindler”, thus associating the term with scamming and cheating.
RAISING AWARENESS ACTION #IAMNOTASWINDLER
This year 2015, the entities of the State Council of the Roma have conducted an awareness action focused on the definition of "Roma" in the new edition (23rd) of the Dictionary of the Spanish Language with the slogan "A discriminatory definition generates discrimination ". From several years ago, NGOs and institutions such as the Ombudsman we have been calling the Royal Spanish Academy to revise the definitions of Roma in the Dictionary of the Spanish Language, as for example, in the previous edition (22º) at 4th meaning read as follows: "That scam or work with deception." In late 2014, the Academy published a new edition of the Dictionary and replaced with a new one that meaning: 5th swindler, meaning "with cunning, deceit and lies trying to trick someone into a business."
The campaign slogan "A discriminatory definition generates discrimination" explains the importance of language to build a social image of the Roma community away from stereotypes.
The centerpiece of the campaign is a spot for 2 min. starring some Roma children, and his reaction surprised to find that the dictionary meaning given to the term gypsy. In addition to the spot, was edited posters, badges, flyers and bookmarks.
You can find below the link to a spot featured by Roma children, as well as to the press release issued by the State Council of the Roma People and to other news related to the 8th April
Links
- PRESS RELEASE - 8th April – International Roma Day. A day for celebration, recognition and vindication (08/04/2015)
- Spanish TVE National Journal La2 Noticias (08/04/2015).
- Spanish TVE National Journal (min. 38). Campaign #Iamnotaswindler (08/04/2015)
- Cuatro TV. Campaign #Iamnotaswindler (08/04/2015)
- La Mañana. TVE program (min. 31). (08/04/2015)
- Telecinco Journal. #Iamnotaswindler Campaign. (08/04/2015)
- International Roma Day. #Iamnotaswindler Campaign Cadena SER. (08/04/2015)
- International Romani Day (Wikipedia)
- European Commission - International Roma Day: Statement by First Vice-President Timmermans, Commissioner Thyssen, Commissioner Jourová and Commissioner Creţu (07/04/2015)
- Jhon Kerry Press Statement on behalf of EEUU president for International Roma Day (08/04/2015)
- Spain: `Swindlers´? Roma Say No. The New York Times. Asociated Press Agency (08/04/2015)
- Roma Leadership for the 21st Century. By Mensur Hality. Roma Initiatives Office (08/04/2015)
- Caritas Europe. Roma Day: The EU must promote the full inclusion of Roma People across Europe (08/04/2015)
- On International Roma Day, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and human rights chief call for youth focus to promote greater Roma participation (08/04/2015)
- ERIO. Celebrating Roma Culture and history as part of European heritage (08/04/2015)
- Amnesty International Statement (08/04/2015)
- UN expert urges political action to fight ‘anti-Gypsyism’ as a root cause of Roma marginalisation (08/04/2015)
- Spain: Gypsy groups protest`Swindler´dictionary definition. The Washington Post-Agency. Asociated Press (09/04/2015)
- Fundamental Rights Agency statement on 8th April (08/04/2015)
- Council of Europe. International Roma Day (07/04/2015)
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