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Sign The Petition and Reblog. Thanks.
CLICK here to sign this petition
This petition is to address The Learning Channel (TLC), as well as to the advertisers and sponsors of the show, “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding” (and its UK counterpart “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding”), which are blatant smear/ridicule campaigns against all Romani (“Gypsy”) people.
Romani have long suffered persecution, prejudice, discrimination, ridicule, even murder and ethnic cleansing for their cultural heritage and misunderstood traditions throughout history. Shows like “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding” and “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” (UK version), not only shed Romani (and Irish Travelers) in a negative light, it openly ridicules a race of people so proud in their tradition and heritage.
Firecracker Productions and The Learning Channel (TLC) have found Romani people who are so outrageous in their living, in attempt to create sensationalism, high ratings, and high dollar figures; and in doing so, have disregarded that what is being portrayed as fact is actually inaccurate information.
The US version of the show has focused their entire season around one family; that alone cannot present an accurate portrayal of Romani (or Irish Travelers) as a whole.
TLC and Firecracker Productions, are obviously attempting to create “fact” in sensationalism and outrageousness, while disregarding the effect(s) that such deception are having on the Romani populace as a whole. TLC and Firecracker Productions have also created, in their misrepresentation(s), opinions based on deception among the general population to form false-opinions of the Romani people as a whole.
The family that is featured in the US version of the show are NOT living according to the Romani laws, and portraying them as the “stereotypical” Romani… or “Gypsy” is an outrage.
It is understood that TLC/Firecracker Productions paid these individuals to dress in certain ways, and act in certain manners - even going so far as to buy trailers and set them up as if this is where these individuals are living to give more “authentication” to the storyline.
Even more outrageous, one of the girls portrayed in the show “Mellie” is/was a stripper and is shown in the show performing lewd dance moves in the middle of department stores (among other places), then explains such moves as if this is “typical” Romani dance. It is not.
Romani people have, for years, attempted to keep their lives, their identities secret for the very reason that they have been persecuted and discriminated against. They have fought against stereotypical identification assignment, and in many countries of the world, they are still treated in such deplorable ways that are human rights violations, but yet no international government agency steps in to offer protection or aid to them, simply because of the stereotype “Gypsy”.
My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding (and British version), further harms Romani by the portrayal of ridiculous and outrageous behavior, dress, and deception.
While we understand that you create your shows, and gain sponsorship ad placement spots, based on show ratings, the premise of the network “The Learning Channel” has become tainted to such a degree with this outrageous propaganda of lies. In this instance, the “learning” channel is promoting lies and sensationalism, as well as racism, racial profiling, and further promoting the negative effects which Romani have tried hard to rise above for generations.
We, the undersigned, petition The Learning Channel to cancel all future programming of My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, and any and all shows depicting Romani people in a negative light which are in consideration spin-off from the original show(s).
We, the undersigned, also petition all sponsors/advertisers to withdraw their relationship(s) with The Learning Channel until they remove all biased, deceptive, and racist programming which propagates the persecution, discrimination, ridicule, and stereotyping of a race of people based solely on the actions of one family group.
Thank you.
CLICK HERE to sign petition
CLICK HERE to join us on Facebook
Source: facebook.com
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The TLC show “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding” (and it’s UK counterpart “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding”) is a blatant smear campaign against all Roma people. They have found Roma people who are so outrageous and so NOT living according to the Romani laws of life and living, and portraying them as the “stereotypical” Romani… or “Gypsy”. In the old days, such individuals would have come before a council of elders who would “shun” them in a way that would put the Amish shunning to shame!
TLC has paid these individuals to dress in certain ways, and act in certain manners - even going so far as to buy trailers and set them up as if this is where these individuals are living to give more “authentication” to the storyline. One of the girls portrayed in the show “Mellie” is/was a stripper and is shown in the show dropping to the floor and performing lewd dance moves in the middle of department stores, then make it sound as if this is a “typical” Romani dance. It is not.
None of this is typical of Romani. This is NOT ACCURATE INFORMATION. This is harming all of us Romani further in ways of discrimination and prejudice. Please help us by sharing the following post to the following list of FB pages (a simple search will bring all the pages up).
This is the post I put together (originally) and posted to CiCi’s Pizza’s FB page, then changed the verbiage to reflect the others on the list. Please feel free to copy and paste the following message over to CiCi’s Pizza and change the verbiage to reflect the other companies on this list of advertisers of MBFAGW… Some of us who have taken action have had our posts removed from these pages as they do not wish to have anything “negative” on their pages. The more of us who can post to these pages and inundate them, the more notice they will take.
Remember last year’s TLC show An American Muslim? Lowe’s, and several other companies, removed their advertising support during the airing of the show because of a racist smear campaign by a fundamentalist Christian group. If they can have such companies as Lowe’s remove their ad support, then we all can spark effort to have these other companies remove their support of a blatantly offensive show as My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding. Please do help, even if you would only post to the pages of the first four on the list as they advertise several times during airings of MBGAGW, and share this status on your own walls also. Thanks you guys SO much! ♥
Ruby Tuesdays
georgio Armani
Cici’s pizza
Disney Pixar Brave…ya gotta go to the disney pixar page then comment on the movie brave
other adds
1800contacts
snickers
time warner cable
hopper dvr
LG
Michigan.org
little tykes
straight talk cell phones
subway
Ford
Metro Matress
HGTV Paints at sherwin williams
Ziplock
Dove chocolates
T-mobil
McDonalds
“I am writing to petition Cici’s pizza to please ask TLC NOT to air your commercial’s during TLC’s My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding. This show is offensive to all Roma people, and portrays us all in an extremely derogatory manner. While I understand that you base your advertising on demographics, I also know that you also target high rating shows, and unfortunately MBFAGW is one such high rated show. However, I also know that you can ask any network to remove your commercials during certain shows (as Lowe’s and several other companies did last year during TLC’s American Muslim show).
Cici’s is a family-friendly restaurant that seems to be welcoming of all demographics, it is shocking then that you would support a show which is degrading to a certain demographic. I hope that you will take note of this post and stand up with the Romani people in boycotting My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding (and it’s UK equivalent “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding”) by pulling your advertisement support during such shows. Respectfully yours… “
Shia LaBeouf: Raising Awareness for Roma Children
See more… http://www.justjared.com/2012/06/12/shia-labeouf-raising-awareness-for-roma-children/
Photo reblogged from džulory ladžala with 7 notes
![golden-zephyr:
McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India (view bigger it’s worth it for a click)
[© me/Qristina]
Oh sigh….. SO beautiful… THIS is the place in my dreams come to life… ♥](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5j00deqJ61qf41bbo1_500.jpg)
McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India (view bigger it’s worth it for a click)
[© me/Qristina]
Oh sigh….. SO beautiful… THIS is the place in my dreams come to life… ♥
Photo reblogged from džulory ladžala with 10 notes
*travellers passing through*
Lower Bourne, England.
Source: Carol Drew/Flickr
Post reblogged from Samantaics with 8 notes
Best of luck on that one. I think people are going to continuously use words they don’t really grasp and understanding to. Like people throw out the “N” word, and they don’t seem to care who it offends. Even black people using it on their own selves/kind, but they put a distinction in on the ending of “a” or “er”. Whatever, it’s all rubbish. Good on you for trying to educate them, I hope that with more understanding and education, and actually WANTING to be compassionate humans, people will start making a change and stop using all kinds of derogatory slang; and especially, misusing it.
Trying to simultaneously explain to someone that a ‘Pikey or Piker’ isn’t a Gypsy, or an Irish Traveller, whilst telling them not to use it because it’s racist [against us].
Link reblogged from džulory ladžala with 2 notes
džulory ladžala: lisipuska replied to your post: I swear to God this is my last ask.... →
lisipuska replied to your post: I swear to God this is my last ask. Ever. Hopefully. I don’t know if you got all of my second batch of asks, but I was specifically referring to the people in MBFGW when I said Roma in my first ask. I used the term Roma in that ask since I didn’t…
I’ve heard that the majority of the people featured in the UK show were Irish Travellers with very few Rroma in the mix. I also heard that the American version is just one family who are really bravi’os (I’ve a Rroma friend lives one town over and has heard of them and met some of them). Also, many of the ones featured living in trailers/campers actually have houses and that TLC created these campers for them to be shown in to make it look more “authentic”. Each were paid US$10,000 to appear in the show. There was one gadje who lied and said he was Rroma, but he’s only worked for Rroma and learned our ways - it is the one featured in CA with the Filipino wife who was trying to make $10,000 in a week for his daughter’s wedding. Apparently, there is going to be a new spin-off of the show featuring the two sisters Nettie and Mellie, called “The Stanley Sister’s”. (http://articles.herald-mail.com/2012-06-03/news/32012276_1_gypsies-reality-show-romanichals)
Photo reblogged from džulory ladžala with 10 notes
Romani Elders at The Unfinished Sinti and Roma Memorial Berlin. Saturday 2nd June 2012. Picture by Nihad Nino Pusija
Link reblogged from džulory ladžala with 86 notes
džulory ladžala: You're SO weird →
You don’t use a microwave?
No. I don’t. My grandmother was afraid of… appliances. She had cooked for years on an open fire—when they made her settle, she regularly caught things afire from her gas stove. Including her eyebrows and hair. She instilled in me that … such things were to be feared. A little box that sends waves out to heat your food? WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE?
You don’t use a drier?
I do sometimes. But, most of the time no. See above… why do that shit INSIDE when the air outside is warm too?
Your kitchen is arranged funny and you cook funny!!
I follow marime which means I can’t keep certain things near other certain things (like raw meat and milk)… I also have to chop things in separate places and cook the meat before adding the vegetables. I also have to use different utensils.
You don’t eat some foods!
No, I don’t eat pork. Also any food that contains meat that may have been cooked in a non-marime way (generally things like tacos are OK because the sauce is mainly (if not entirely) meat without vegetables). The other week I had a fajita salad because I KNEW they cooked the meat at a separate skillet and it was served separately and never touched the vegetables.
You wash your hands (or just wash) alllll the time!
Yes, because again marime and we have cats and a dog—so I have to wash. Also, I do wash dishes separately. Clothing too (mine and phoenix’s are separate from my husbands and separate from each other).
Whenever you go in the kitchen you cover your head! Weird!
Yes, I do. Marime! (Getting the pattern here?) I can’t be near food without covering my hair… there are also other things I can’t do without either dikhlo or covering my head. (Like a couple weeks ago when my friends were here we went to dinner and I had to put up my hoodie when I was eating to cover my head)…
You are weird about men!
Yes. Guess what?! Marime~ I can’t sit next to a man I don’t know, I can’t touch him, I can’t walk in front of him. I can’t let my skirts touch him (or any food dish)… I shouldn’t really have a conversation… but in today’s world don’t have much choice.
You won’t share food or dishes with non-Roma!
True. Marime. It is trusting to share with Roma—but Gadze no. I will share with my husband because we are married.. but I will not share with random people at random places. Don’t ask to try my food. Don’t be offended if I won’t try yours even if we’ve been best friends for a bajillion years.
You let people stay with you for however long they want!
Yes. A Romani house is open to guests (especially Romani guests) any and all times for as long as the guest needs it. I have had friends stay for months at a time, or a couple of nights here and there when they needed it.
You always ask if I want coffee and something to eat, wtf?
My grandmother would always offer Gadze and Romani alike coffee and a bite. She would offer Rom whiskey or brandy, too. If she didn’t like you, it was a cup with a broken handle, or a chipped saucer, or bitter coffee. My grandfather, as Baro Rom, would sometimes deliberately not offer people coffee, or a seat, or something to eat… and that was a huge snub.
Why are you SO WEIRD?
I’m not weird, I just live differently by a prescribed set of beliefs following a tradition of great phuri daj before me. Personally, I think cooking raw meat and vegetables together is WEIRD; as is not offering guests a drink or something to eat; and not washing yourself when you’re dirty!
These answers were so very interesting to me… mirror my own self so much. And all my life, people have called me “weird” for things that were common-sensical to me, and high standard of cleanliness.
My grandmother used to say that microwaves cause cancer. I remember when we got our very first one (it was the biggest thing of the times, and it was a gift) and Mum decided to cook a chicken in it.. two hours later the outside was still raw and the inside was so burned the bone became liquefied and oozed out of the raw chicken onto the glass plate and fused there - not to mention the smoke and stench that took a week with windows wide open to air out. That was the end of our microwave cooking. I’ve a microwave now, because it was a gift for our wedding, but I rarely use it. If you want to defrost something, take it out and let it defrost naturally - usually bread in my case.
I never grew up with a drier - we hang the washing outside. If it was wet and humid, it’d either take longer to dry, or we hang them on clothes horses or on hangers in the bathroom. Driers make everything static - there are times I use one, but not all the time.
Certain things we never washed together - upper and lower clothing, inside and outside clothing, male and female clothing - all separate. Tea towels completely separate - usually boiled in a special pot on the stove, then rinsed out. Bedding and towels separate. - People say that I do an awful lot of laundry, not just separating colours as most people do, but that is how I grew up, and what feels “right” and “normal” to me. I hate any kinds of “cross-contamination” (my terminology). And never use cloth hankies for blowing noses - that’s just nasty.
Raw meat and milk. Gross. Raw meat and veggies together. Gross. Now I don’t eat meat or dairy in the least, so I don’t have this concern. But when I did, I would not even permit raw meat to ever go into the same shopping bags with veggies or dairy products. That’s “cross-contamination” and nasty. And never, ever raw meat and veggies (or dairy) together in the fridge. SO gross. People do these sorts of thing? o.O
I keep my hair covered most of the time, except in the privacy of my home just with my husband. But I too cover my hair (put it up) when in the kitchen. I think it’s dirty not to, hair flies around and gets into things - that’s gross.
I won’t touch a man unless he is my husband. I’ve come to utilize the “Namaste” hands together so that I won’t even shake hands with men. Sometimes, they’ll put their hands out to shake mine, and I get “caught” but usually I won’t even permit that. I won’t sit next to a man who is not my husband (I’ve not seen my brother in almost 10 yrs, and would make an exception to him - but not my brother-in-law), I will sit near to a man not my husband, but not near where we could easily “touch” each other).
And yes, I too wash my hands very often. We’ve got cats and a dog, so that’s a huge thing for me also.
I don’t shower every single day, I find that to be a waste. But I do keep clean and have high hygiene standards.
Even though we’ve not got a big place, I too have an open-door policy for people to stay if I know them really, really well (and they’re gadje) and especially if they’re Rromani, the door is always open, that’s familia.
I always grew up that if you have a guest visiting, whether gadje or Rromani, you offer them coffee or tea and something to eat (usually sweets) - if they’re familia (or Rromani), you offer them to share your meal with you. These days, if you want dairy in your drink though, you’re gonna have to deal with soy milk or other non-dairy milk cos I won’t have dairy in my house.
I say all this… I’m Rromany, but I’ve only just come to learn that I am in the past little while. I grew up with all these living standards, and never knew that they were part of Marime laws. They were common-sense to me. And cleanliness… Why do gadje call us “unclean” again…?
Photoset reblogged from Youmustbefuckingnuts with 10 notes
Rmany Gypsies at Epsom
While watching The Epsom Derby last week I noticed they touched upon the traveling site at the edge of the course and managed to find these great pics from the past of Romany Gypsies at the meeting.In 1937 local eccentric Lady Sybil Grant, Lord Rosebery’s daughter, developed an affinity with the Gypsies, often dressing herself in unusual and romantic clothes.
She provided use of a large field on her own land for the Gypsies. The Conservators now manage this land, which is set aside annually for the traditional gathering of the Gypsies.
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