We have set out with the discourse of “I am a Gypsy”. This expression is an ordinary one for most of the people. For example, it is meaningless for a German to say “I am a German”, since she/he repeats an obvious reality in this way. But this kind of declaration has a different meaning for our community. If a Gypsy says “I am a Gypsy”, this expression is not a commonplace; on the contrary, it is an example of heroism on its own. People who can say “I am a Gypsy” are the real heroes. This article dedicates to these heroes.
Our people are living all around the world. Although Gypsies are different in point of various characteristics, all the ancestors of these people have been commercial nomads. All of our ancestors have survived through selling crafts like sieves, baskets and metal things in villages and cities. Despite the fact that some members of our community have settled in course of time, we all are substantially from tents. So, formidable paths have been gone.
At the present time, we cannot come to an agreement about ourselves. What is our name? Are we Romani, Abdal, Elekçi, Poşa or Gypsy? Our people cannot say “I am a Gypsy” due to lack of self-confidence and diffidence has been accumulated throughout the years like they condemn the people who can say “I am a Gypsy”. Furthermore, they can use the word of “Gypsy” to insult poorer brothers or sisters, people who live in another district or any person who anger them. What a pity that a Gypsy reviles to another as “dirty Gypsy”. Unfortunately, we often witness this kind of circumstances.
Different words like Roman, Abdal, Elekçi are used to mean “Gypsy” in different dialects around Turkey. People sometimes hide themselves behind these words for protection. What a delusion! As if you could change the mind of people who use the word of Gypsy in a negative meaning when you say “I am a Romani, not a Gypsy” “I am a Poşa, not a Gypsy” or “I am an Abdal, not a Gypsy”. As if the people who insult you when you say “I am a Gypsy”, would respect you. As if the people who do not employ you when you say “I am a Gypsy”, would employ you if you say that you are a Romani. This is a big delusion. This is one kind of self cajolery.
And some people hide themselves behind national and religious values. These people are those who say “I’m not a Gypsy, I’m Turkish citizen” or “I’m not a Gypsy, I’m Muslim”. These people cannot achieve their goals; on the other hand, they insult themselves. These expressions mean imply that a Gypsy cannot be a Turkish citizen or a Muslim. This is funny! Of course, a Gypsy might believe in any religion as well as there are Muslim Gypsies. Besides, Gypsies in Turkey are Turkish Gypsies. Gypsies have proved that they are sincere patriots in difficult days of the country. A person whose social origin is Gypsy might belong to any nation. French, German, Turkish, etc… Hiding behind the national and religious values is not just improper, but also harmful to these values.
Then, what is the proper one? Courage is required. Unfortunately, our name is used as a curse word. In this instance, the solution cannot depend on changing our names. This problem can be solved through keeping and purifying our name bravely. Of course, this is very difficult.
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