The Roma Cafe: Human Rights and the Plight of the Romani People / Edition 1

by Istvan Pogany

Overview

The plight of Eastern Europe's Roma is one of the greatest challenges facing the continent. Largely hidden, this book offers an eye-opening, poignant and intriguing analysis of the diverse problems facing Central and Eastern Europe's gypsy populations, including the largely unacknowledged legacy of the Roma Holocaust.

Engaging with a broad range of issues including racism, stereotyping, and political and economic transition in ex-Communist states, Istvan Pogany challenges the most common preconceptions about the Roma. He looks at the specifics of indiviual Romani lives, particularly in Hungary and Romania.

Highlighting the difficulties that all marginal peoples face, Pogany explains how the Roma have been devastated by the economic transition from Communism to open markets since 1989. Poverty, lack of education, as well as widespread anti-Roma discrimination and inadequate legal protection, have left the Roma facing intense hardship since the collapse of welfare states. However, this book is not just a catalogue of the challenges that the Roma face -- it is also a celebration of Roma cultures and of the acceptance of difference -- something that is more important than ever in our multicultural societies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745320519
Publisher:	Pluto Press
Publication date:	06/20/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.32(w) x 8.46(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Istvan Pogany is Professor of Law at Warwick University. He teaches courses in comparative human rights and international law. He has written extensively on constitutional transition, human rights and minority rights in Central and Eastern Europe. His previous books include Human Rights in Eastern Europe (Edward Elgar, 1995) and Righting Wrongs in Eastern Europe (Manchester University Press, 1997).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. The Hairy Thing that Bites, or why Gypsies shun Gadje

2. The Devouring

3. Maybe Tomorrow there Won't even be Bread

4. The Czardas

5. Nomads