Six Percent
Most people in Hungary would agree on the fact that the dark or tanned skin indicates good
health, fastidiousness and maybe even welfare. However, these markings would immediately
change if it would be indicated that this skin is possessed by a Roma person. Unfortunately,
prejudice and discrimination are realities that virtually all Gypsies must learn to face-and live
with in Hungary. According to modern liberal perception, everyone has the right to form an
opinion of issues dealing with the race problem and ethnic questions. However, this personal
right continuously raises the problem of discrimination, and there is a lack of effort made to
end prejudice and racism.
The negative discrimination of the Roma people living in Hungary does not derive directly
from the skin color as the example shows it in the introduction. Darker skin is only a
characteristic of this ethnic group's physical appearance. The reasons for discriminating
Romas arises from more complex roots.
English: Muslim Gypsies from Bosnia.
English: Signs: The ban on entry of itinerant Gyps...
English: The distribution of the Roma (Gipsies) in...One of the main sources of anti-Gypsy attitudes is
the lack of knowledge and the misunderstanding of Romas. One of the main fuels of
discrimination against Gypsies in Hungary is provided by the media. It requires very little
effort on the part of those writing for the popular press to consult the existing sources and
come up with material of their own without ever approaching Gypsy agencies or people for
information. Most of those who write about Gypsies base their creations on the works of other
non-Gypsies without ever checking the real facts. Despite the great responsibility that
journalists have in transmitting information to the public, with very few exceptions the media
continues to misinterpret Gypsies and perpetuates negative false stereotypes. Negative images
about the Gypsies are shown by the media everyday. Unfortunately, not until recently the
Gypsies were lacking an access to...