Tuesday December 11, 2012, 4:02 pm
Noted.

Tuesday December 11, 2012, 4:20 pm
It is wonderful to know that the Roma community is trying so hard to give its kids a good education and to integrate into the work force. Unfortunately, the Spain's economy is so bad that even the best and brightest students will encounter hard times. I was happy to read about the parent that even wants her daughter to stay in school and get an education - rather than become a child bride! That's great!

Tuesday December 11, 2012, 5:55 pm
Without an emerging focus on education, this ancient culture will disappear.

Tuesday December 11, 2012, 8:26 pm
I am pleased that progress is being made, but I hope it will increase by leaps and bounds. So much culture and flavor to add to mainstream, and what beauties mainstream can learn from them.

Wednesday December 12, 2012, 3:46 am
The school is "marked by high dropout and truancy rates". I imagine this has nothing to do with the economic crises but because they are gypsies.

Wednesday December 12, 2012, 4:08 am
It is very difficult in some families to go against what the grandparents think is right. Often 3 or 4 generations of the same family live in a neighbourhood and the elders call the shots. It is a very deeply ingrained cultural system that is difficult to fight against. I admire the families in this article and hope that other roma families try to move forward.

Wednesday December 12, 2012, 4:08 am
Jen Kae mentions: So much culture and flavor to add to mainstream, and what beauties mainstream can learn from them.
Part of that beauty is their music and dancing.
the first DVD is Spanish singing and the condition and heartbreak of the Romani in the raw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scus9teTdjo

The second DVD shows what can happen if the ancient Romani tradions are crossed with the traditions of European culture. It is only the first song that is relevant to gypsy music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=UNwoyhAJGOQ

Wednesday December 12, 2012, 4:10 am
Noted.

Wednesday December 12, 2012, 6:39 am
The Roma and the Sinti are a very resilient and resourceful people.

Wednesday December 12, 2012, 7:11 am
If the gypsies in our neighborhood had put their children in school and left other people's property alone they would still live around here. They are gone.

Wednesday December 12, 2012, 2:53 pm
I found this article to be very interesting as I don't know where the gypsy fits into Spain's social system. It appears that they are accepted, and are a part of the community.

Wednesday December 12, 2012, 4:53 pm
Thanks Cal.

Thursday December 13, 2012, 8:23 am
We have the great good fortune to live in this most wonderful and vibrant ancient city (the second oldest city in the Western world, voted as Europe's most 24 hour city).

The comments of the gypsy man at the end is very noteworthy - the gypsies, he said, must quit living in tight ingrown groups and integrate. Yes, they have free health care, but very many of them don't pay anything into the system they use.

The 'stereotype' of the 'thieving gypsy' is not without basis and we see the gypsy women on the streets in the summers accosting tourists holding sprigs of green under their noses to distract them while another woman picks their pockets. They're very hard to catch. We've had them trying to enter the homes in our neighborhood to steal what they can too. And in the UK, and US (where there are few of them) they are noted for their home repair scams, especially on the elderly.

It is good to see there are gypsies who want to see their kids become educated and contribute to society, but there are still far too many who still believe in the old Roma idea that everything non-Roma have is there for the Romas' taking. And the traditional treatment of women is abysmal. Gypsy traditional society could give lessons to the Saudis on how to repress and abuse women.

We see the same gypsy beggars outside the same supermarkets who have been there for years showing the same worn photo of some long grown baby. They dress always in new, quality clothing, look well fed and they are often young. It is frustrating to see them take advantage of people's generosity when there are so many truly needy people right now.

The article makes a specious comment that maybe gypsy youth don't get educated because they'll just be discriminated against anyway. What a load of rubbish! If they are contributing members of society they would be treated with the respect they had earned, just as everyone else. The Spanish, especially here in Andalucia, are very tolerant people we've found.

Thursday December 13, 2012, 3:52 pm
Thanks