Crimes against Gypsies-Why You Should Care
You know about the 6 million Jews, but did you know Gypsies were killed in the Holocaust?
The exact number of this globally unrecognized crime remains unknown, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to 3 million across different sources. Determining the accurate count is difficult as Gypies are nomads often unregistered in government documents. Brutally inflicted tortures also hindered proper body identification and count.
One of the things I miss most after immigrating to North America is the presence of the Gypsies. They are incredibly talented musicians with a positive outlook on life. They are a vital member of Europe’s social fabric.
While Gypsy is a widely used term in the West, the correct name is Roma. Gypsies/Romas made a living from repairing items deemed “uneconomic” to fix (pocket watches, teapots, and porcelain dishes) — the originators of what we now call a circular economy. They were involved with recycling for centuries before environmental concerns became cool. They were also healers and herbalists.
They pioneered the term nomad, a glorified lifestyle of the recent generations. But what does being a nomad truly mean? It represents having no fixed residence or place of belonging, which is a dangerous circumstance to be in during a genocide. If you have no home or a paper trail, will anyone even know you’re missing?
Victims of domestic abuse, kidnapping, and human trafficking, are nearly always people that abusers know have no one who will look for them — a trait that makes them vulnerable and easy prey.
Similarly, Roma/Gypsies proved to be the perfect prey for their Nazi predator. It’s a lesser-known fact that Nazis even had a special police division called the “Central Office of the Reich to Combat the Gypsy Plague.”
The most heartbreaking is they don’t have their own library, museum, exhibit, media company, or publication to reveal their suffering. Therefore, they received highly different treatment than the Jews — their case was completely ignored at the Nuremberg War Crime Trials.
They have no promised land to return to, no peace offering, no compensation, and no public apology or recognition of their massacre.
Perhaps I feel strongly about this topic because I‘m not Gypsie/Roma. I am Serb. I grew up with the privilege of Serb museums, art exhibits, books, films, and poetry all visibly market representing all 3 victims groups:
“Holocaust Victims: Serbs, Jews, and Romas”
Why the North American press ignores, 2/3 genocide persecuted groups is highly questionable.
My heart aches and will remember the voiceless people whose radiant presence filled my childhood memories with cherished vibrant hues and lively, energetic music. Outside any wedding hall or gathering, one could see Romas lighting up the streets with their violins, trombones, or double bass and leading the crowds in joyful dancing. I never truly realized how uniquely memorable this experience was until I moved away.
So I feel the duty to use my voice to raise awareness, so these countless innocent victims won’t remain unknown. I leave you with a beautiful Gypsie spring festival song Ederlezi (famous in my region), since the Gypsies taught me that music’s beauty truly does unite the world. :)
