Racism in the U.S. – From Judge Judy to Everyone Else
A Romani woman from the Czech Republic. For her and the other 15 million members of world’s Roma community the term “gypsy” is like the term “nigger” for African-Americans.
I must confess that the only show I watch on American TV is Judge Judy. I must say she is very entertaining, but often racist too. Don’t get me wrong, that racism is not personal at all. Almost everyone else in the United States like Judge Judy uses the word “gypsy” to offend someone else.
I can’t recall the exact date and the case, but I have heard Judge Judy calling someone a “gypsy” as a derogatory term at least once this fall on My20 in Denver, Colorado.
Doing a Google search, I found another observation of Judge Judy’s usage of the g-word:
My name is Hilda and I’m from Australia. I admired Judge Judy and watched her show every day. Last week I got a shock of her comment. Judge Judy said to one of her client “she doesn’t look like a Gypsy thief does she?” I always thought Judge Judy was an inteligent women but how can a person with high inteligence make such an ignorant racist comment in national television?
I want a public apology from Judge Judy televised in national tv. about her racist comment of my race. I’m a Gypsy and I can assure Judge Judy I’m not a thief. I’m shure if she would of say “she doesn’t look like a Jewish thief or a Nigger thief” she would lose her job over it.. but is it ok to say Gypsy Thief?I WANT JUSTICE AND I DON’T REST UNTIL JUSTICE DONE!
Few people realize that “Gypsy” is actually reference to an ethnic group – just like Armenians, Russians, Germans. There are about 15 million “Gypsies” in the world who prefer to be called Romani.
Judge Judy and the rest of America should go and educate themselves before making derogatory comments against an entire people who have been marginalized throughout centuries and due to omnipresent racism often hide their identities.
nazarian on 18 Nov 2007 at 11:40 pm #
Blogian, I am surprised that you are surprised about the American ignorance about Gypsies. The mainstream America is not exposed to their culture and has no idea about it.
As for Judge Judy; she’s old school and fortunately refrains from using most of the ethnically insensitive expressions that are common in the American culture. She probably needs to be educated about the ‘gypsy thief’ expression so that she stops using it on national TV.
Have you emailed her at http://www.judgejudy.com/Forms/tellit.asp ?
Blogian on 23 Nov 2007 at 1:48 am #
Thanks, Nazarian for the link. I sent her an e-mail right after you posted the comment. Haven’t heard anything back yet.
Amy on 28 Nov 2007 at 9:35 pm #
Yeah… I am SURE, like most Americans, she has no idea that it’s offensive. Unfortunately, only people with an awareness and sensitivity to racial issues probably realizes it. Not that there is really any good excuse for ignorance, but since there is no high-profile dialog about the use of this particular term, most people don’t know.
Rose on 04 Dec 2007 at 1:11 am #
I have Bohemian Gypsy in my blood, and I am not a thief, and very proud of my heritage. Just goes to show money cannot buy you intelligence.
David on 21 Dec 2007 at 4:41 am #
I guess all Americans are ignorant. As I am sure all of you are aware that words can have multiple meanings, such is the case here:
1. A member of a people that arrived in Europe in migrations from northern India around the 14th century, now also living in North America and Australia. Many Gypsy groups have preserved elements of their traditional culture, including an itinerant existence and the Romany language.
2. See Romany (sense 2).
3. gypsy One inclined to a nomadic, unconventional way of life.
4. A person who moves from place to place as required for employment, especially:
1. A part-time or temporary member of a college faculty.
2. A member of the chorus line in a theater production.
The term used by most Americans would probably refer to the third or fourth definition. These groups may also include a bad element that may include thief or two that make the whole group look bad. Such is life, get over it. I am sure there are terms used in England that Americans might find offensive, but hey people cry about everything. I guess we should learn a lesson from the FX show “The Riches” and use the term traveler thief, but since that person might be of Irish ancestry we may be offending them.
Geoff on 30 Dec 2007 at 2:36 am #
To compare the word “Gypsy” with the N-word is absurd. The term “Gypsy” is derived from the misunderstanding that the group originated from Egypt. There are certainly more accurate terms for the group other than “Gypsy” but it is no different than calling Native Americans “Indians” when we know their origins have nothing to do with India.
tim tommy on 22 Mar 2008 at 3:22 am #
are all jews like her, racist and arrogant. i wounder why she is not on her soapbox platform defending her freinds, that sick bitch dr laura and the victim NY GOVENR.
Умный Дом on 22 Jan 2009 at 9:25 pm #
Спасибо, респект автору