Stereotype, prejudice and racism towards the Roma community
The Roma or Romani people live in Europe (Eastern and Central Europe), as well as in the United States. Although the Roma originated in India, they now live in different countries, including Germany, France, Turkey, Spain, Hungary, and others. Some call them “Gypsies”; however, this term is seen as offensive by some members of the community because of its negative connotation.
The Roma people are often stereotyped as “thieves,” “liars,” and “beggars.” Roma children are usually not allowed to visit schools where children of other nationalities study. Thus, prejudice develops in racism, which eventually harms their life and well-being. Since Roma people do not have access to education and good jobs due to biases and racist attitudes, new stereotypes are created: Roma people are described as “lazy” and “incompetent.” Therefore, Roma people do not have access to well-paid jobs, but they cannot influence or improve the situation because of the existing prejudices towards them.
‘Institutional racism’ in the documentary ’13th’
The impact of the Civil War and Jim Crow legislation is evident in the current issues of racism and prejudices towards the African-American community in the USA. Since the Civil War and segregation, discrimination and racism were supported at the official level, providing black people with second-class status. The government proclaimed wars on drugs and criminality, which eventually lead to the incarceration of people of color. These people were unable to get a well-paid job and had to seek other income sources because of the existing limits. However, the wars against drugs (and, eventually, minorities) only supported the existing fears and stereotypes about black people. Big enterprises continue to make money using incarcerated people, and racist statements are made at the official level, supporting the documentary’s point that institutional racism is a complex issue that supports the spread of racist ideas and beliefs, whereby it limits the minorities’ ability to resist the prejudices.