15 June 2020

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month: Discrimination, Inequality and Marginalisation

As part of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, Aberdeenshire Council is sharing information on a series of themes throughout June. This week: Discrimination, Inequality and Marginalisation
 
Gypsy/Travellers are recognised as an ethnic group and the Equality Act 2010 protects people who are recognised as a distinct ethnic group from being discriminated against on the grounds of ethnicity.
 
However, for many Gypsy/Travellers prejudice and discrimination are experienced on a daily basis. They suffer racial abuse, discrimination in employment and are often unable to easily access services such as health and education. 
 
Sadly, Gypsy/Travellers have the worst life outcomes of any ethnic group in the UK.
 
Traveller Davie Donaldson speaks frankly of the discrimination faced by Gypsy/Travellers in this short video by BBC’s The Social.
 
The absence of Roma, Gypsy and Traveller characters and heritage in publications is explored in this article by the Book Trust, which looks at two books that hope to begin to redress the balance.
 
You can access a copy of the cartoon book Two Sides to the Same Story via the Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project website. The book is free, although a shipping fee applies.
 
Earlier this year, the Friends Families and Travellers website highlighted the lack of knowledge of the huge number of Roma and Sinti people killed in the holocaust – more than 500,000 people in total.
 
Later this month you can join live online event The Overlooked Crossovers: Intersectionality of Marginalisation, which takes place from 6pm on Wednesday, June 17. Register for a free place on eventbrite.
 
To find out more
 
Article 12 Scotland and the Minority Ethnic Carers of Older People Project (MECOPP) are jointly celebrating on the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month website which features the latest information on what’s happening throughout June.