Anti-Tsiganism

Racism against Roma and Sinti is also known as anti-Tsiganism, antigypsyism or Romaphobia. Those affected have different opinions on the various terms. In general, the preferred term in Germany is anti-Tsiganism (in German: “Antiziganismus”), as unlike Romaphobia this makes it clearer that those affected are not members of a homogeneous group, but instead have been construed in this way by society on the basis of discrimination. This term is open to criticism, however, as it includes and repeats the pejorative German term “Zi.”. This entails the danger of continuing to legitimize and disseminate this foreign designation. As an alternative, activists and academics have suggested the term Gadje-racism. This points out that this racism and discrimination comes from outside and includes all affected groups, regardless of their self-designation.

Anti-Tsiganism is based on a long history of mistrust towards people with no fixed abode, who are allegedly all criminals. Together with the stereotypical and erroneous image of Roma and Sinti as non-settled, it leads to the rejection and discrimination of this group of people.

Faced with discrimination, the affected people often retreat from society, and experience difficulties obtaining education, employment and accommodation, in other words in participating in society in general. At the same time, the difficult economic situation of this group of people has already been influenced by the discrimination they have faced over the centuries. This also indicates the connection between classism and racism.

Sources: European Network Against Racism; Amadeu Antonio Foundation; IDA-NRW