Cause I am a Gypsy . . .

Where to begin?

This image is racist. The term "Gypsy" is racist, it is a racial slur used traditionally to pass law against the Romani people, the German variant of which was tattooed onto members of my family during WW2 when they were held Auswitch, and is still used to this day as a justification for the segregation and discrimination of the Romani people.

If someone was to say to you "you look like a Gypsy" it is not a compliment, they're saying you look dirty because that is what Gypsy means when you are called one. An untouchable.

I understand that by creating this image and even by using the term "Gypsy" you do not mean to be racist BUT intent does little to change outcome. Not only have you voluntarily elected to use a racist term, white washing over the true meaning of the word by putting it in a happy setting but the 'mystic' feel of this piece is deeply offensive. Like only drawing black people in loin clothes carrying spears... well white people dressed up as black people in loin clothes at least as this girl is a white chick playing dress up.

"Gypsies" are not magical. We cannot curse people, they do not do magic spell but the believe in "Gypsy Magic" as lead to, and still leads to, the murder of my people by vigilantes and adds to the rhetoric used by politicians.

If you go on my profile you will see pictures of elves, Why? Because I like them. I love fantasy, I love magic but the main difference between my work and yours? Elves are not real. The Romani are, and art like this only helps to add not to the stereotypes used against us and dehumanise us in countries such as the USA (which btw has the world's largest Romani population, did you know that?) where very little is known by the mainstream population about the Romani. Reports of human rights abuses against mythical beings are not going to be taken seriously and if "Gypsies" are mythical beings (as pop culture likes to portray us) how can we be being murdered and ghettoised? The majority of your audience has probably only ever seen the Romani (or Gypsies as you insist on using the slur) as Elves, as fairies so how can they be real?

Now my advice to you? After reading this if you really have an interest in "Gypsies" or are indeed just a decent human being please spend a moment reading up about the Romani people. Many articles can be found on google but here are a number to start with:

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