This article is dedicated to examining issue of LGBTQ Activism in Serbia and Russia after 1991. C... more This article is dedicated to examining issue of LGBTQ Activism in Serbia and Russia after 1991. Considering the fact that these countries were republics in two former socialist federal states, it is interesting to investigate position of LGBTQ community and conclude on influence of this community in challenging political and social status quo in both societies. Moreover, citizens of Serbia and Russia are understood as predominantly Christian Orthodox, with generally pervasive patriarchal social attitudes, and this point makes comparative perspective even more interesting. Hence, this article is to, first of all, provide concise historical info on both communities in their respective states after 1991 when both USSR and SFR Yugoslavia disappeared. Concise historical information will be presented only to introduce major developments in existence of the said community and its position in both societies. Second, the article is to discuss and compare those major political and social constraints in both states to conclude on LGBTQ community and its functioning. Last but not least, the article is to present conclusions whether the said community has so far had any influence in terms of being a possible ‘driver’ of political and social changes, or it remained but a mere object rather than subject in social and political life.
Keywords: LGBTQ, Social activism, Serbia, Russia, Social change
The Roma Minority in the Czech Republic: Scapegoats of the Modern History?
These days Europe p... more The Roma Minority in the Czech Republic: Scapegoats of the Modern History?
These days Europe presents the Union of 27 member countries, vast lands and the common space, where Europeans can practice their rights and move freely. For the rest of the World and Europe itself that is the place of peace, stability, and raising standards of living. What is more, Europe promotes human rights, democracy and the values of freedom… So irreproachable and stable in words, however falling into the discrimination, nationalism and xenophobia in the real life – that is the image of Europe today.
The raise in the levels of intolerance inside the communities towards some particular ethnic or other groups can be explained by the crisis explosion in almost all the member states of the European Union and the following aftermaths. Such a situation is not something brand new and has been known throughout the mankind history. Whenever crisis situation or a natural disaster (famine, plague or invasion) emerge – the “scapegoat”, the weakest element of the community, has been blamed and punished for the sins, crimes and sufferings of others, so the majority could feel more united and safe.
One of the largest and more vulnerable minorities in Europe nowadays, being highly discriminated on legal and daily basis, is the Roma community. Estimated to be 12 million people, and being spread all over Europe, they constitute a very diverse group in terms of religion, language, occupation, economic situation and ways of living. Notwithstanding being so different, the Roma community is generalized, stigmatized and connected with all the possible “evils” like crimes, drugs, prostitution, etc. Such a way of Roma’s perception in the society led to the establishment and prospering of the anti-gypsyism in Europe.
Anti-gypsyism is a modern term, expressing the existence of prejudices, stereotypes in regards to the Roma minority. Furthermore, anti-gypsyism is used on daily basis in the behavior of the majority and in the statements of officials, media and police; all together this lead to physical attacks and related violence towards the Roma members and strengthen even more the intolerance level in the society. Anti-gypsyism can be explained by the absence of will to recognize the history of the Roma minority in terms of previous slavery and suffering (including the genocide during the World War II), the unwilling of society and politicians to address the issue, which needs a lot of patience, understanding, and humanity approach. Sadly till now people all over Europe prefer not to see, not to think and not to put themselves on the place of the Roma community members.
In many cases the whole Roma communities are living in inadequate conditions without access to water, electricity, sewerage and heating. To this should be added that after the fall of the communism the Roma community experienced the great problems with unemployment and till now the situation is very close to the complete exclusion from the decent work in the European Union. Roma minority is being segregated and discriminated at the highest levels in all the possible spheres: in education – by lacking access to schools/ being put to the schools for children with mental disabilities/ exact separation from the majority; in health – due to the absence of funds to pay the insurance and lack of the identification documents; in public services – due to the public sentiments and marginalized life style; and directly – by constructing walls between the Roma and the majority.
The paper will focus on the situation of the Roma minority in the Czech Republic. The author will give a short overview of the Roma settlement history in the Czech Lands, pointing out the changes in numbers and specifics of the Czech society sentiments towards Roma. The possible explanations of the phenomenon of segregation and marginalization of almost the whole minority group would be introduced. Author will try to perform the current image of the Roma population from the position of the Czech majority, based on media reports and official statements, and the real situation, based on the reports of NGOs and Human Right organizations.
The author herself is actively involved in the projects on communities’ inclusion on local and international levels both in the non-governmental and academic spheres; the Roma integration programs are the part of her professional activities. Such interdisciplinary approach can contribute to more objective outcomes and more personalized paper from the author’s point of view.
This article is dedicated to examining issue of LGBTQ Activism in Serbia and Russia after 1991. C... more This article is dedicated to examining issue of LGBTQ Activism in Serbia and Russia after 1991. Considering the fact that these countries were republics in two former socialist federal states, it is interesting to investigate position of LGBTQ community and conclude on influence of this community in challenging political and social status quo in both societies. Moreover, citizens of Serbia and Russia are understood as predominantly Christian Orthodox, with generally pervasive patriarchal social attitudes, and this point makes comparative perspective even more interesting. Hence, this article is to, first of all, provide concise historical info on both communities in their respective states after 1991 when both USSR and SFR Yugoslavia disappeared. Concise historical information will be presented only to introduce major developments in existence of the said community and its position in both societies. Second, the article is to discuss and compare those major political and social constraints in both states to conclude on LGBTQ community and its functioning. Last but not least, the article is to present conclusions whether the said community has so far had any influence in terms of being a possible ‘driver’ of political and social changes, or it remained but a mere object rather than subject in social and political life.
Keywords: LGBTQ, Social activism, Serbia, Russia, Social change
The Roma Minority in the Czech Republic: Scapegoats of the Modern History?
These days Europe p... more The Roma Minority in the Czech Republic: Scapegoats of the Modern History?
These days Europe presents the Union of 27 member countries, vast lands and the common space, where Europeans can practice their rights and move freely. For the rest of the World and Europe itself that is the place of peace, stability, and raising standards of living. What is more, Europe promotes human rights, democracy and the values of freedom… So irreproachable and stable in words, however falling into the discrimination, nationalism and xenophobia in the real life – that is the image of Europe today.
The raise in the levels of intolerance inside the communities towards some particular ethnic or other groups can be explained by the crisis explosion in almost all the member states of the European Union and the following aftermaths. Such a situation is not something brand new and has been known throughout the mankind history. Whenever crisis situation or a natural disaster (famine, plague or invasion) emerge – the “scapegoat”, the weakest element of the community, has been blamed and punished for the sins, crimes and sufferings of others, so the majority could feel more united and safe.
One of the largest and more vulnerable minorities in Europe nowadays, being highly discriminated on legal and daily basis, is the Roma community. Estimated to be 12 million people, and being spread all over Europe, they constitute a very diverse group in terms of religion, language, occupation, economic situation and ways of living. Notwithstanding being so different, the Roma community is generalized, stigmatized and connected with all the possible “evils” like crimes, drugs, prostitution, etc. Such a way of Roma’s perception in the society led to the establishment and prospering of the anti-gypsyism in Europe.
Anti-gypsyism is a modern term, expressing the existence of prejudices, stereotypes in regards to the Roma minority. Furthermore, anti-gypsyism is used on daily basis in the behavior of the majority and in the statements of officials, media and police; all together this lead to physical attacks and related violence towards the Roma members and strengthen even more the intolerance level in the society. Anti-gypsyism can be explained by the absence of will to recognize the history of the Roma minority in terms of previous slavery and suffering (including the genocide during the World War II), the unwilling of society and politicians to address the issue, which needs a lot of patience, understanding, and humanity approach. Sadly till now people all over Europe prefer not to see, not to think and not to put themselves on the place of the Roma community members.
In many cases the whole Roma communities are living in inadequate conditions without access to water, electricity, sewerage and heating. To this should be added that after the fall of the communism the Roma community experienced the great problems with unemployment and till now the situation is very close to the complete exclusion from the decent work in the European Union. Roma minority is being segregated and discriminated at the highest levels in all the possible spheres: in education – by lacking access to schools/ being put to the schools for children with mental disabilities/ exact separation from the majority; in health – due to the absence of funds to pay the insurance and lack of the identification documents; in public services – due to the public sentiments and marginalized life style; and directly – by constructing walls between the Roma and the majority.
The paper will focus on the situation of the Roma minority in the Czech Republic. The author will give a short overview of the Roma settlement history in the Czech Lands, pointing out the changes in numbers and specifics of the Czech society sentiments towards Roma. The possible explanations of the phenomenon of segregation and marginalization of almost the whole minority group would be introduced. Author will try to perform the current image of the Roma population from the position of the Czech majority, based on media reports and official statements, and the real situation, based on the reports of NGOs and Human Right organizations.
The author herself is actively involved in the projects on communities’ inclusion on local and international levels both in the non-governmental and academic spheres; the Roma integration programs are the part of her professional activities. Such interdisciplinary approach can contribute to more objective outcomes and more personalized paper from the author’s point of view.
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Keywords: LGBTQ, Social activism, Serbia, Russia, Social change
These days Europe presents the Union of 27 member countries, vast lands and the common space, where Europeans can practice their rights and move freely. For the rest of the World and Europe itself that is the place of peace, stability, and raising standards of living. What is more, Europe promotes human rights, democracy and the values of freedom… So irreproachable and stable in words, however falling into the discrimination, nationalism and xenophobia in the real life – that is the image of Europe today.
The raise in the levels of intolerance inside the communities towards some particular ethnic or other groups can be explained by the crisis explosion in almost all the member states of the European Union and the following aftermaths. Such a situation is not something brand new and has been known throughout the mankind history. Whenever crisis situation or a natural disaster (famine, plague or invasion) emerge – the “scapegoat”, the weakest element of the community, has been blamed and punished for the sins, crimes and sufferings of others, so the majority could feel more united and safe.
One of the largest and more vulnerable minorities in Europe nowadays, being highly discriminated on legal and daily basis, is the Roma community. Estimated to be 12 million people, and being spread all over Europe, they constitute a very diverse group in terms of religion, language, occupation, economic situation and ways of living. Notwithstanding being so different, the Roma community is generalized, stigmatized and connected with all the possible “evils” like crimes, drugs, prostitution, etc. Such a way of Roma’s perception in the society led to the establishment and prospering of the anti-gypsyism in Europe.
Anti-gypsyism is a modern term, expressing the existence of prejudices, stereotypes in regards to the Roma minority. Furthermore, anti-gypsyism is used on daily basis in the behavior of the majority and in the statements of officials, media and police; all together this lead to physical attacks and related violence towards the Roma members and strengthen even more the intolerance level in the society. Anti-gypsyism can be explained by the absence of will to recognize the history of the Roma minority in terms of previous slavery and suffering (including the genocide during the World War II), the unwilling of society and politicians to address the issue, which needs a lot of patience, understanding, and humanity approach. Sadly till now people all over Europe prefer not to see, not to think and not to put themselves on the place of the Roma community members.
In many cases the whole Roma communities are living in inadequate conditions without access to water, electricity, sewerage and heating. To this should be added that after the fall of the communism the Roma community experienced the great problems with unemployment and till now the situation is very close to the complete exclusion from the decent work in the European Union. Roma minority is being segregated and discriminated at the highest levels in all the possible spheres: in education – by lacking access to schools/ being put to the schools for children with mental disabilities/ exact separation from the majority; in health – due to the absence of funds to pay the insurance and lack of the identification documents; in public services – due to the public sentiments and marginalized life style; and directly – by constructing walls between the Roma and the majority.
The paper will focus on the situation of the Roma minority in the Czech Republic. The author will give a short overview of the Roma settlement history in the Czech Lands, pointing out the changes in numbers and specifics of the Czech society sentiments towards Roma. The possible explanations of the phenomenon of segregation and marginalization of almost the whole minority group would be introduced. Author will try to perform the current image of the Roma population from the position of the Czech majority, based on media reports and official statements, and the real situation, based on the reports of NGOs and Human Right organizations.
The author herself is actively involved in the projects on communities’ inclusion on local and international levels both in the non-governmental and academic spheres; the Roma integration programs are the part of her professional activities. Such interdisciplinary approach can contribute to more objective outcomes and more personalized paper from the author’s point of view.
Keywords: LGBTQ, Social activism, Serbia, Russia, Social change
These days Europe presents the Union of 27 member countries, vast lands and the common space, where Europeans can practice their rights and move freely. For the rest of the World and Europe itself that is the place of peace, stability, and raising standards of living. What is more, Europe promotes human rights, democracy and the values of freedom… So irreproachable and stable in words, however falling into the discrimination, nationalism and xenophobia in the real life – that is the image of Europe today.
The raise in the levels of intolerance inside the communities towards some particular ethnic or other groups can be explained by the crisis explosion in almost all the member states of the European Union and the following aftermaths. Such a situation is not something brand new and has been known throughout the mankind history. Whenever crisis situation or a natural disaster (famine, plague or invasion) emerge – the “scapegoat”, the weakest element of the community, has been blamed and punished for the sins, crimes and sufferings of others, so the majority could feel more united and safe.
One of the largest and more vulnerable minorities in Europe nowadays, being highly discriminated on legal and daily basis, is the Roma community. Estimated to be 12 million people, and being spread all over Europe, they constitute a very diverse group in terms of religion, language, occupation, economic situation and ways of living. Notwithstanding being so different, the Roma community is generalized, stigmatized and connected with all the possible “evils” like crimes, drugs, prostitution, etc. Such a way of Roma’s perception in the society led to the establishment and prospering of the anti-gypsyism in Europe.
Anti-gypsyism is a modern term, expressing the existence of prejudices, stereotypes in regards to the Roma minority. Furthermore, anti-gypsyism is used on daily basis in the behavior of the majority and in the statements of officials, media and police; all together this lead to physical attacks and related violence towards the Roma members and strengthen even more the intolerance level in the society. Anti-gypsyism can be explained by the absence of will to recognize the history of the Roma minority in terms of previous slavery and suffering (including the genocide during the World War II), the unwilling of society and politicians to address the issue, which needs a lot of patience, understanding, and humanity approach. Sadly till now people all over Europe prefer not to see, not to think and not to put themselves on the place of the Roma community members.
In many cases the whole Roma communities are living in inadequate conditions without access to water, electricity, sewerage and heating. To this should be added that after the fall of the communism the Roma community experienced the great problems with unemployment and till now the situation is very close to the complete exclusion from the decent work in the European Union. Roma minority is being segregated and discriminated at the highest levels in all the possible spheres: in education – by lacking access to schools/ being put to the schools for children with mental disabilities/ exact separation from the majority; in health – due to the absence of funds to pay the insurance and lack of the identification documents; in public services – due to the public sentiments and marginalized life style; and directly – by constructing walls between the Roma and the majority.
The paper will focus on the situation of the Roma minority in the Czech Republic. The author will give a short overview of the Roma settlement history in the Czech Lands, pointing out the changes in numbers and specifics of the Czech society sentiments towards Roma. The possible explanations of the phenomenon of segregation and marginalization of almost the whole minority group would be introduced. Author will try to perform the current image of the Roma population from the position of the Czech majority, based on media reports and official statements, and the real situation, based on the reports of NGOs and Human Right organizations.
The author herself is actively involved in the projects on communities’ inclusion on local and international levels both in the non-governmental and academic spheres; the Roma integration programs are the part of her professional activities. Such interdisciplinary approach can contribute to more objective outcomes and more personalized paper from the author’s point of view.