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Discrimination and the Roma community, 2015
11.
Almeria.
Others.
Direct discrimina-
tion.
A Roma woman participating in
our Acceder Programme in Almeria
went to a church with her daughter
to ask the priest about the food bank
and received the following response:
“We’re not giving you any handouts
here. Go back to where you belong.”
They were astounded to be spoken
to like that by a priest and left with-
out saying a word.
They told us that they felt terrible and
discriminated against for being Roma
and living in a poor neighbourhood.
Although they didn’t understand the
attitude or comments made by the
priest, they did not want to take any
action for fear of reprisals.
12.
Cadiz.
Hate speech.
Direct discrimination.
The FSG office in Cadiz received an anonymous letter with a press
clipping showing a headline related to support given to the Roma community in Bujalance (Cordoba).
The following message was hand-written on the press clipping:
“Gypsy shit - you are our misfortune”
13.
Zaragoza.
Dignity.
Direct discrimination.
A Roma woman reported that she went to see her local social worker
to request aid. After explaining her case (the young woman could not afford to meet her mortgage payments),
to her amazement the social worker offered her a radiator to heat her flat.
The woman couldn’t understand why the social worker would offer her a radiator, especially since these devices
use a lot of electricity and she needed to reduce her expenses.
The woman also said that the social worker treated her with a lack of respect.
We find that some of the professionals who work with people in risk of social exclusion or with ethnic minorities
lack sensitivity.
It is extremely important for professionals engaging in this sort of social work to be aware of the real situation
facing many Roma and non-Roma families.
14.
Zaragoza.
Dignity.
Direct discrimination.
A Roma woman went to a supermarket without a shopping bag or
cart and just enough money to buy a carton of milk. As soon as she came in, the cashier ordered two stock
boys to keep an eye on her.
When she was checking out the women said to the cashier: “Why did you do that?” (referring to telling the
stock boys to watch her) to which the cashier answered: “Me, what? What are you talking about?” And then she
laughed at her.
The woman said that she felt powerless and vulnerable and this wasn’t the first time she was subject to this
sort of ridicule.