• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Is "gypsy" a slur?

IME (and I don't go around calling anyone a "gypsie"), gypsies/Romani have an awful reputation as travelers, squatters, beggers, child abusers and rip-off artists.
I've not had exposure to Romani who do not fit that bill.

I'm just being honest. I'd love to hear positive stories of Romanis who have yolked themselves to American values and norms.
 
justabubba said:
i agree with that
what i was writing in opposition to was eco's position that because 'gypped' was a slur, it's base word, 'gypsy', must also be a slur
however, i did not see that connection relative to the slur 'jewed' and the accepted 'jew' reference
essentially, what i was asking is "what's the difference?"
Click to expand...
Gypsy -how it originated, how they are described as layabout, thieves, cutthroat people. IMHO as the say with the Ivory soap guarantee, 99 44/100ths used as a slur. So in the end I consider it a slur.
Another would be Travelers -
 
So, are they just misunderstood? Anyone have significant experience with Romani that proves they are not the exception to the rule, so to speak?
 
The gypsies that I know call themselves Sinti.
 
Josie said:
I didn't realize that some people consider it a slur. Even when you use it to describe yourself, people have said that it's awful to even say the word "gypsy". I thought when someone describe themselves that way it just meant they were very carefree, kind of a hippie, bohemian, etc.

What do you all think?
Click to expand...

You'd have to ask someone of Gypsy/Romany descent. They're the only ones who get to make that call.
 
Acadia said:
IME (and I don't go around calling anyone a "gypsie"), gypsies/Romani have an awful reputation as travelers, squatters, beggers, child abusers and rip-off artists.
I've not had exposure to Romani who do not fit that bill.

I'm just being honest. I'd love to hear positive stories of Romanis who have yolked themselves to American values and norms.
Click to expand...

Oh c'mon. Nearly all Gypsies (Gitano, Romany, whatever) live in Europe. They don't care about American values and norms. And I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that if you don't know any Gypsies who aren't squatters, beggars, child abusers and rip-off artists, you don't know any, period.
 
Josie said:
I didn't realize that some people consider it a slur. Even when you use it to describe yourself, people have said that it's awful to even say the word "gypsy". I thought when someone describe themselves that way it just meant they were very carefree, kind of a hippie, bohemian, etc.

What do you all think?
Click to expand...

Unless it is about Eastern Europeans or Indians then it is as you say... care free, etc.
 
Josie said:
I see what you mean.
Click to expand...

I dont. Lots of races are good at basketball. Gypsies do move about in a care free manner not tied down.
 
BobDick said:
But the word gypsy literally has no meaning
Click to expand...

I was taught it was short for Egyptian, because they thought they came from there.
Actually, I think they originated in India.
 
BobDick said:
But the word gypsy literally has no meaning
Click to expand...

It certainly has meaning.... itdescribes a group of people and a way of life...
 
Bodhisattva said:
It certainly has meaning.... itdescribes a group of people and a way of life...
Click to expand...

When I think Gypsy I think of some weird kind of potato chip. The word N****r originates from a French/Spanish/I don't know word for "black", what does Gypsy mean?
 
Grand Mal said:
I was taught it was short for Egyptian, because they thought they came from there.
Actually, I think they originated in India.
Click to expand...

If that was the case they should be proud.
 
BobDick said:
When I think Gypsy I think of some weird kind of potato chip. The word N****r originates from a French/Spanish/I don't know word for "black", what does Gypsy mean?
Click to expand...

It is the English word for the Romani and any other group of non.settled wandering groups of people.
 
Fearandloathing said:
Part of the "new" politically correct.

What amuses me? No one has a problem with Polish Jokes; demeaning in the extreme, suggesting sub human level of intelligence and body care, but EVERYBODY tells them....except Poles.

Odd
Click to expand...

I disagree. The Polish has the very best Pole jokes.
 
Bodhisattva said:
It is the English word for the Romani and any other group of non.settled wandering groups of people.
Click to expand...

It comes from 'Egyptian'. They thought they came from there, but I think I remember that they came from India originally.
 
Fearandloathing said:
Part of the "new" politically correct.

What amuses me? No one has a problem with Polish Jokes; demeaning in the extreme, suggesting sub human level of intelligence and body care, but EVERYBODY tells them....except Poles.

Odd
Click to expand...

And, when the cops go out after the bars close and pick up drunks off the sidewalk, they toss them in a Paddy wagon.
 
Josie said:
I didn't realize that some people consider it a slur. Even when you use it to describe yourself, people have said that it's awful to even say the word "gypsy". I thought when someone describe themselves that way it just meant they were very carefree, kind of a hippie, bohemian, etc.

What do you all think?
Click to expand...

If you ask me no word is a slur. Offense is taken by the offended party not given. So if you refer to yourself as a gypsy because you move around alot or your carefree and someone takes offense to that you didn't slow them they're just being sensitive.


It's amazing how little power such things have over a person if they stand by the old adage sticks and stones.
 
CLAX1911 said:
If you ask me no word is a slur. Offense is taken by the offended party not given. So if you refer to yourself as a gypsy because you move around alot or your carefree and someone takes offense to that you didn't slow them they're just being sensitive.


It's amazing how little power such things have over a person if they stand by the old adage sticks and stones.
Click to expand...

But people dont call romans gypsy because they move around ,you really dont get it ?
 
CLAX1911 said:
If you ask me no word is a slur. Offense is taken by the offended party not given. So if you refer to yourself as a gypsy because you move around alot or your carefree and someone takes offense to that you didn't slow them they're just being sensitive.


It's amazing how little power such things have over a person if they stand by the old adage sticks and stones.
Click to expand...



Totally disagree.

"Naming and shaming" has been a tactic of the power elite since Biblical times. The labeling of the African slaves in America was deliberate, They chose words that sounded demeaning and made them more so.

The powerful and entrenched have always chosen disparaging labels to throw at those who were different and in doing so include an entire, stereo typing and creating false fears.

Just a year ago as Canada moved to triple the number of Syrian refugees, more than one American use derogatory labels to predict they "will rape your women".

By the way, there has been no rapes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom