Rome Media

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Roma can change how the media portrays their culture.

The most impactful form of media that I saw at the foundation was the message that the nonprofit foundation created for the youth. Because a majority of the Roma people are young adults, educating them about their options and futures in a positive way through the media can change the course of their future as citizens. Educating them about their rights can lead to more support for the cause of equal human rights. The greater the number that favors this equality, the harder it is for politicians to ignore the cause.

The first step in this education is empowering the youth and changing their view of themselves. By empowering the people to make a change, the growth of support around new media will spread from the Roma community outward. One of the best forms of this media I saw was the pamphlet about superheroes. Educating people about the heroes of the past, and the possibilities of the present opens new doors of communication and empowerment. Relating pop culture figures to historical heroes can help people connect Roma identity with their impact on modern society. Using comic figures to create a positive representation of the group of people can make a relatable connection to fight the racism the Roma currently face on a daily basis. One quote from this pamphlet ties this idea all together states, “The time has come when Roma people must reclaim myths, legends, and pop culture as their own weapon.” This call to action is the root of the solution for this media crisis.

Creating more media efforts to educate the public is necessary to raise awareness of this issue, and to allow the Roma to take back the control of their own story. Shining light on the positive strides the community has made, even in the face of opposition, can encourage the youth to not give up on their goals and help break down the barriers that hold them back. While these efforts may be futile at first glance, with only 2,500 subscribers to the mailing list at the foundation, the activist group does not seem discouraged or on the brink of defeat. The group celebrates their small victories and continues to change the narrative by every small step possible. This uphill battle against the media cannot be won in a day, and the only way to break these media trends is perseverance. More articles, more funding, more foundations, more education is the key to the change the Roma culture wants to see in the world.

Racism and sexism are trends of society and the media that truly will never die, but efforts to change these views are always worth fighting for. The Roma need to fight for a new representation, and group like the Roma Centro are key players in this fight. Continuing to fight the racist articles, the use of the term “gypsy,” and the mass lack of awareness of this issue are the main battles of the future. Education takes time, and the more efforts brought to the scene will begin to balance the media’s portrayal of this issue. This is truly a David and Goliath story, but as we have seen in the past David beat the giant and the Roma people can beat the discrimination with efforts like