Prejudice, assaults, harassment, constant threats of expulsion from the country - many young Roma and Sinti people in Germany live under intense psychological pressure. Dealing with it is not easy.
Even in elementary school Angela was attacked both physically and with sneakers. "There were students who used to call me 'gypsy', beat me, take my money and food. It hit me so hard, "the 25-year-old Roma woman recalled in her first school days in Cologne.
A similar experience was had by Emanuel, who went to a primary school in Romania. “My mom always washed my clothes to keep me clean. But nothing helped. For the rest I was always 'dirty'. That's why nobody wanted to sit next to me. "
Such humiliations continue later in life, for example when looking for a job or an apartment. All of this has severe consequences on their mental health and self-esteem. "Many young people hide their identity because of the discrimination they have been exposed to," says Mercan Jakupov, executive director of the Roma youth organization Amaro Drom (Our Way) from Berlin.
This is one of the most important topics the organization deals with. "They have to understand why it's happening so they can cope with it and overcome it."
Link: https://www.dw.com/mk/%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D0%BE-
