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A Counterpoint to the Claim of Apartheid Conditions for Czech Roma by Foreign Religious LeadersOliver White responds to Rajan Zed & Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich's recent press releases urging Pope Benedict XVI to highlight 'Roma apartheid'
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While I appreciate the concerns presented in the press release entitled Hindus & Jews Disappointed With Pope for Ignoring Roma Apartheid at their root, the use of the term "apartheid" here is grossly inaccurate and is clearly being employed as a tool to further politicize the issue. As well as causing resentment here, foreign efforts to improve the lives of Czech Roma -- the nomenclature preferred over the inaccurate "gypsies" -- have turned this minority population into a perpetual welfare society. This is quite the opposite situation faced by the suffering black majority of South Africa under apartheid from 1948 to 1994, whose government's official policy of segregation and mistreatment frequently meant no running water or insufficient food. I'm sure that Prague's doctors would also disagree with this association with apartheid, in the light of the hundreds of thousands of crowns spent trying to save the life of a non-resident Roma prince who, unfortunately, died in a Czech hospital recently following a swimming accident. (Would similar efforts have been made under South Africa's apartheid regime? And in which hospital --"white, black, colored or Indian?") What is similar to Africa today, however, is the same utter failure of a system of handouts and aid, which, while laudable in concept, was clearly never analyzed from a long-term point of view. The Czech system of "dealing" with Roma has degenerated into a failure to engender successful self-reliance and independent progression, with an astounding number of people viewing Roma as leeches on society. This has sadly encouraged some Czechs to become complacent and even supportive of the neo-Nazi groups who commit atrocities in the name of ridiculous ethnic purity. The Ability to Change The authors of this press release state that Roma groups began migrating to Europe a thousand years ago, which suggests that the Roma have a tremendous ability to adapt to changing conditions. Is it not disrespectful, in that case, to suggest that they cannot survive without the help of the Czech taxpayer? I challenge Czech Roma to prove this assertion wrong. Roma have been suffering discrimination here since their arrival in the Czech lands, supposedly at the time of the Crusades. Aid and support of this kind -- which seems to be the Czech government's preferred response -- are only reasonable as a short-term solution to some singular event, such as a major catastrophe. How did various Roma groups survive before arbitrary borders and checkpoints were set up all over Europe? What were their trades, skills, art forms and system of governance then? Are we looking at this situation with a long-term perspective, or just until the next time Brussels singles out the Czech Republic for chastisement? Countries such as Italy have simply responded to this issue by permitting the creation of a series of lawless slums that have become so dangerous that even Rome's police dare not enter -- a state of affairs that the European Union fails regularly to criticize. It's no wonder that Czechs are reluctant to accept any treaty that would concentrate even more power in Brussels. It appears that the goal here is not to create a situation in which the Roma are on an equal footing, but rather to simply give them free money and homes as a form of pacification. Are politicians hoping to lull them into complete lethargy, hoping that they'll finally stop making their case? One might suppose that giving someone "everything" they need is an odd way to bring anyone into normal society, considering that no one I've ever met gets benefits like this. This form of welfare generally discourages people from getting jobs and becoming productive citizens, further alienating them from society. Is this what anyone wants? Change From Within It is my belief that change must be initiated from within, for being pushed to change by outsiders breeds immediate resistance and resentment. A crucial step is for the leaders of Roma groups to do their part in accepting responsibility for the image of the community today, in order that future generations are not confronted with the intolerance we see now. Past atrocities committed against Roma are inexcusable; however, the mistakes of the past cannot be allowed to inhibit the goals of the future. For far too long, law-abiding, productive people of Roma ethnicity have allowed a small minority of pickpockets and drug dealers -- arguably the most visible people from a "news" perspective -- to determine how the entire population is viewed. This is, sadly, closer to real apartheid -- the terror induced by a dangerous minority that affects the happiness and liberty of the majority. This is a big challenge for the Roma community, but it must be overcome. If Roma leaders do not recognize or care about the damage done to their image, then we must accept that these activities are part of their cultural identity and treat them accordingly. This is the only fair conclusion. One cannot force someone to behave in a particular way, even if it appears to be in their best interest. Credibility and Accuracy Based on facts, as opposed to whatever misinformation is disseminated through the news channels, I challenge the credibility of the press release's authors and their ability to accurately judge the situation in Central and Eastern Europe. It's curious that those so willing to use the term "apartheid" haven't faced the reality of the Czech system themselves, nor are they from South Africa. Would South African writers agree with the term's use here? While I'm hardly an expert, I have at least been "on the ground" in the Czech Republic for more than four years and I find it interesting that neither author, according to the information provided in the press release, appears to have any personal experience of living here. Rabbi Freirich's and Mr. Zed's leadership roles are, I'm sure, greatly appreciated in Nevada and California but offer readers here in Prague little reason to trust their credibility. I am shocked that these two esteemed gentlemen would hurl long-distance criticism from a country so mired in idiotic debate that it would rather let banks repossess peoples' homes due to unpaid medical expenses and dump families onto the street rather than "sell out to the Communists" by providing their own citizens with minimum mandatory health coverage and non-profit insurance companies. Perhaps these men might consider looking into the travesties happening in their own country. (Disclosure: I am from the USA myself.) Whatever their original intention, the authors' politicizing "press release" did little good other than encourage me to correct their foolish assertion. Including the possibility of unemployment insurance and other welfare benefits, low-cost public housing, universal healthcare and political representation, the case could be made that Czech Roma have the potential for a higher living standard than most middle-class American citizens! The assertion that Czech Roma live under conditions even remotely similar to those in apartheid-era South Africa are ludicrous and harmful to both sides of a complex issue. Our goal here should be to encourage discussion and debate, with a view to coming up with solutions in the long-term, not just for the next political cycle or quarterly press release. • The views expressed in this article are the author's own and don't necessarily represent the views of Prague TV or Real Time Productions |
Article added on Tue 27th Oct, 2009 [last updated Tue 27th Oct, 2009]Share this page 
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