An embrace for Roma equality
"Roma-nize you, cos I can’t alone/Open the door/Look at the sky/Break the deadlock/ Let’s start again". This song is the perfect summary of Gitanizate Project, an initiative to raise awareness about Roma situation in Spain through information, rapprochement… and hugs.
04.12.2014
Roma are the largest ethnic minority in Spain and the most vulnerable to discrimination, according to the Fundamental Rights European Agency (FRA). “Anti-Roma is a disease affecting non-Roma but their symptoms show up in Roma”, explains José Heredia, campaign coordinator, in the public presentation of the project in Madrid. Anti-Roma means, for the project promoters, all the stereotypes and prejudices around the Roma image and which cause hostile attitudes and actions and so, social exclusion.
However, the Autonomous Federation of Roma Associations in Valencia (FAGA) is confident that this disease has an easy cure: to get to know each other. Their project, Gitanízate y participa, is one of the selected within the EEA Grants Active Citizenship Programme. It consists of a plan to draw attention to the Roma discrimination through actions like a national information campaign (brochures, posters and advertisements), a web page full of sense of humour, workshops about human rights and equality all over Spain, a Resource Guide against Anti-Roma and even a song, written by a famous flamenco Singer and composer.
“It is a cry, a call to action”, points out Nicolás Jiménez, project promoter. And for that reason they call Roma and non-Roma , “of every colour, background and religion” to work together. “This campaign is not focused on telling racists off, but in convince them using humour and affection, embrace us and look at us with different eyes”, explains. Until now, 40 Roma organizations have joined this initiative. Nevertheless, we all can take part, sending a picture of a hug with someone who is different from us. Because Anti-Roma can be cured.
EEA Grants Active Citizenship Programme, operated by NGO Platform of Social Action, financed with 4,6 million euros, has the objective of fostering civil society, social justice and democracy.