What feeds the negative stereotypes of Roma that prevail among even the most progressive observers?
I have seen some dreadful photographs of what happens when Roma take over the center of a town. It can be pretty shocking. I have agonized over this many, many times. I go to Europe every summer, and I see people who don’t have an illiberal fiber in their body suddenly become scathingly critical when they see gangs of Roma families preying on tourists. When your passport, air ticket, and your wallet are stolen, the limits of your overall tolerance and appreciation of the eccentric are tested. Stealing can hardly be viewed as a human right. At the same time, it is a grave error to paint all of the Roma with a broad brush. Many have probably never stolen a thing in their lives. Is there a grudging respect among Europeans for the sturdiness and pride of the Roma and the way they’ve kept their lifestyle alive? Definitely. Since their great departure from the Indian subcontinent, the Roma culture has proved its ability to withstand true catastrophes, including the horror of World War II, wh
