The Roma are a people of Diaspora historically settling as outsiders in other’s countries. The Roma tenaciously have maintained their culture, language, and strong family ties throughout generations. Cultural survival has also come with a huge price. The Roma are the largest minority in every country in Europe, the most persecuted, and have the lowest standard of living in every country in Europe.

Most Romani are settled in houses in communities and counties throughout the world. Historically, however , Roma have been forced to migrate, viewed with suspicion, and treated with discrimination because of their “dark skin”, unusual dress, and foreign language.

The Romani –Gypsy culture is especially family centered: loyalty, devotion and love to family is a dedicated core value. Marriage to other Roma is preferably essential and most often marriages are pre-arranged by the parents although “elopements” between Romani do take place (the muse for much poetry and song.)
.
Currently, Roma migrating from Eastern Europe and elsewhere are frequently fleeing hate crimes, victims of other people’s wars, including the current war in Iraq. The struggle for refugee status or even global awareness of “Gypsies” as refugees is highly problematic since the Roma do not have citizenship as a “Nation” and are not seen as a Nation by the global community. This is slowly changing through delegations of Romani scholars and activists world wide.

As Dr. Hancock eloquently states:
“The Romani wander because they have nowhere to settle and when they settle they are forced out so they wander.”

The Roma have remained purposefully self-contained and separate: paramount is the necessity for self-preservation and past experience. Social laws, and requirements for moral order and cleanliness, spiritual, moral, and physical, involve complex and strict laws.

Due to lack of open space, globalization, and an ever mechanized world – the Roma have been forced to give up much of their lifestyle and work as migrant farm workers (both in the US and Europe a traditional livelihood). However they are unusually skilled at adapting Metal working in Europe turned to fixing cars in the US, horses and caravans to trailers and or homes nestled in close proximity to extended family members (kumpanis). In the United States the almost one million Roma are barely known to live; they remain invisible due to historical persecution.

Romani society is hidden behind layers of stereotypes which play on our collective fantasies. It is my hope to raise awareness, activate communication and respect for the Romani in their struggle for Human Rights, dignity and support the unique educational, environmental needs worldwide. Living in almost all countries across the world, the Romani are truly an international people; the Roma are the only people society living without a homeland. Symbolically they represent a “global village” interacting throughout cultures of the world and incorporating (not assimilating) numerous world.religions. Romani children, to me – embody and signify Children of the World.