The most important social problem in Romania, Gypsies comunities.

Romanian society harbours one of the worst cases of social stigma in Europe. The direct
result is the reluctance and, in most cases, refusal of important public personalities of Romani
origin to declare their membership or links to Romania's Romani minority. Important Romani
members of the Romanian government, writers, professors, doctors, sports celebrities and singers
refuse or avoid discussions targeting their origins, afraid of the likely consequences: exclusion
from social life, scapegoating or the decline or end of their careers. Even the few Romani
politicians elected to represent Romani communities often criticise or insult those communities,
in an effort to distance themselves from ordinary Roma and to show the majority that they
belong to "high society.
The situation can be illustrated by looking at a typical Romani family from the villages.
The social stigma is long-lasting and far reaching. So why do successful and well-integrated
Roma try to hide their identity? First of all, it is the result of a number of centuries of
conditioning in a society in which the value of a Romani man was often considered less than that
of a cow. The days of official slavery and subjection are over but, today, equally strong forces are
at work to maintain feelings of shame and inferiority, and contribute to the reluctance of
successful Roma to declare or discuss their ethnic origins. Racism and hate speech are on the rise
in the current Romanian democracy.
When one man commits an act against the law it is considered a crime; when an entire
society participates in these acts we call it a lifestyle. Over the last 12 years discrimination, hate
speech in the mass media, and acceptance of violent attacks against the Roma have become the
lifestyle of the majority in Romania. The response and attitudes of the government and mass
media reinforce and perpetuate a strong and harmful social stigma, giving an already racist and
xenophobic society the clear message that segregation and continued discrimination is in the
interest of the Romanian state.
Toward a Solution
The solution to the problem of social stigma in Romania is the growth of a culture of
human rights in Romania. Some assistance can be expected from the European Union when
Romania eventually joins, but that is at least five years into the future. In the meantime, it is the
responsibility of Romanian civil society to fight racism against Roma.
First, Roma themselves must take action against the social stigma attached to their
ethnicity and its effects. Prominent Roma need to take advantage of their situation to promote
their ethnicity rather than to hide it. If prominent Roma take part in public campaigns against
racism and xenophobia, the general public might come to question their stereotypes of Roma and
young Roma would have positive role models. Roma might come to see that they can be
successful and proud of their ethnicity at the same time, rather than successful only if they hide

their ethnicity. Roma cannot bring about these changes alone: the support of non-Romani public
personalities is also needed in tolerance campaigns.
Another key is education: education for all young Romanians needs to include lessons on
tolerance and multiculturalism. Romani non-governmental organisations (NGOs) need to work
together to exert pressure on the government to implement educational programs targeting racist
stereotypes and discrimination, and to include the history of Roma in Romania in the
curriculum.
Romani NGOs need to join forces with Romanian and international human rights groups
to address the problem of social stigma. Violations of human rights must be brought to court,
especially in Romania, which has some of the best anti-discrimination laws in Eastern Europe.
The problem of social stigma against Roma in Romania is not a problem limited to the estimated
two million Roma in Romania. Roma must take responsibility for beginning the fight, but they
should expect and accept the assistance of all organisations and individuals committed to
tolerance and the creation of multi-cultural societies.