The essay "“Home Is a Space in the Heart - Free and Illuminated by the Sun” by Rayna Kirilova was awarded second prize in the contest "Roma in the 21st Century – Challenges and Opportunities," which we organized together with our partners: the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe," Association "Integro," Association "LARGO," Youth Foundation "Arete," Association "RAKO," Association "New Way," and Association "SSDID," on the occasion of International Roma Day.
Just how colorful the earth is, eh? How well the Creator designed nature to give us, the oceans to create, the beauty to gift to us. How wonderful it all is, and in what perfect harmony it all works! No one can deny that. However, there is a being that God placed to rule over everything else He created. That is... man! We are made in His image, and that makes us the most beautiful of all living things on Earth.
I've always been glad that we, as humans, are different – because beauty exists among differences! Just imagine how monotonous it would be if everyone was the same, and everyone was perfect. Thus – isn't it the differences between people that make the world so colorful and beautiful? It's amazing how alike, yet simultaneously different we are from each other. In an ideal world, these differences would be valued, respected, and supported. But in the real world, they’re not.
Most people view differences as a sign of individual inferiority. This way of thinking, this way of considering differences between people, gives rise to many stereotypes and prejudices. And those most often lead us to discrimination! In my opinion, the people who have suffered the most from this are us, the Roma.
Roma – one of the most ancient and numerous communities in the world! They are too often associated with stereotypes that push them to the margins of society. They are often spoken about with prejudice and misunderstanding that not only deprive them of their humanity, but also build artificial barriers that block their integration and development in modern society. But what lies behind this image, which is often nothing more than a product of misunderstanding and fear? The truth is simple: Roma are people just like anyone else – with the same dreams, pains and hopes. We are different, yes, just as you are different from others. We are no less than others, and we never will be. But why do so many people make us feel this way? Many Roma feel unwanted, unheard, rejected – all because someone made them feel that way.
Roma migration is not a new topic. For centuries, they have been a people on the move, often forced to flee their homelands due to war, persecution, and poverty. Today, however, global migration is more widespread than ever. Like many others, Roma cross borders in search of a better life. Yet wherever they go, they are perceived as “the other”, as something foreign and alien. But isn't everyone entitled to dream of something better?
When we talk about the Roma, we often leave out important context – Roma are not fundamentally different. They also want to love and be loved, to have a job, to raise children, to live in security and peace. But unfortunately, they are often denied these basic human rights because of social stereotypes and discrimination. Despite the efforts of many organizations working to change this, disparities prevail in access to education, housing, healthcare and even the to freedom of movement.
But what is on the minds of these undervalued people? They don’t just survive, they try to build new bridges despite differences, they try to prove themselves. They dream of a world in which they are not limited by stereotypes but are empowered by their abilities and desire to achieve. This dream is not unattainable or foreign – they want to live with the same dignity, respect, and opportunities as everyone else.
The number of uneducated Roma children is often noticed and frequently a topic of discussion. But why is there no talk about those Roma children succeeding, even beyond education? Many of them have achieved more than their critics. There are many educated Roma! They are just not talked about.
I have always found it interesting, but simultaneously inexplicable how if a non-Roma person steals something, people will point their finger, spit and say, "That person is a thief! Beware of them!" But if a person of Roma origin steals something, people point fingers, spit and say, "Roma are thieves! Beware of them!" I don't see the point, but I know who I am, my capabilities, what I want to achieve and how, even at my young age, I am already fighting stereotypes and discrimination. And I am not at all responsible or connected to someone else’s wrongdoing. So why am I pointed at, why am I spat at? Why?
Roma are just people with the same aspirations, hopes, and fears as anyone else. They are no different, but the world sometimes perceives them as such, as it fails to see them in their fullness. And the Roma community has so much to offer – history, culture, and human warmth!
Home is not just a place on a map, but a space in the heart, independent of physical borders. For the Roma, home is where they can live without fear, where their culture and identity can grow freely, without being polluted by prejudice and misunderstanding. That is a dream that every person, regardless of their background, deserves the right to realize.
Just how colorful the earth is, eh? And how brightly the sun shines! And it shines for everyone... equally! And how the clouds shift, and how the air fills the earth! And they do so for all! We humans are made of love, and we must show that love to one another. To respect and appreciate the differences between us: because that is the beauty of the earth, and that is what makes us human!
Roma are different, yes. We are different, but we are not any less than the rest, nor will we ever be!