Roma Unraveled

We've been talking about the controversy surrounding Stranger Things filming location - Lukiškės prison - a WW2 Nazi Prison where tens of thousands of Jewish and Romani prisoners were held, hurt, and met their death by the hand of Nazis. We talk about why it's a problem to use such a place as a filming location, as well as the continued profiting off of a site of generational horror and trauma for both communities.

Check out this episode with Cris, it's fairly dark so please strap in for a heavier podcast today. But listen in, learn something new, and find out how you can help combat this type of behaviour now and in future. 

Content Warning: Police violence, racism & profiling.

Back when we were dealing with Gryphon Training in Kansas City, Henry Martin was right by our side doing what he could to help remove the overtly racist training. We got to sit down with Henry and talk about why he's passionate about making a chance within not only his own community, but the intersections of all marginalized groups.

These conversations are just one step towards hosting real change for all of us. Because together, we're always stronger.

Thank you to Henry Martin (@hmforcongress on twitter) for taking time to talk to us this week.

Contact us:
Cristina (@cftvapothecary) & Fen (@ofbatbones)  RomaUnraveled@gmail.com

Content Warning: Harsh Language, police violence, racism & profiling, cultural genocide, childhood trauma & removal, mental health.

Unfortunately as of recording this episode inMay 2022, the UK policing bill that effectively makes the Romani ( GRT+Boatmen & Showmen) way of life illegal has been passed. We discuss how this policing bill came to be and why, the tragedies that it can enforce from perpetuated hatred, enforced poverty, and to the loss of family and culture.

We're extremely thankful to have the chance to talk with Sherrie Smith (https://twitter.com/SherrieRomany) from https://www.drive2survive.org.uk/ and get and in depth look at what's happening right now, how this hurts us, and what to do going forward.  

Please check out this gofundme if you can donate to the cause because the fight isn't over, it's just beginning: https://www.gofundme.com/f/drive2survive

Contact us:
Cristina (@cftvapothecary) & Fen (@ofbatbones)  RomaUnraveled@gmail.com

Content Warning:Harsh Language, mentions of: child death, death, stabbing, torture, violence against Romani, sex trafficking, policing, cultural genocide.

Welcome back to Roma Unraveled - If you're Romani you might want to skip this one. We're talking heavy topics that have taken place within the last year, leading up to the current events we're facing. This is the first of many current events episodes, so in this one we talk a little about how and why there's so little Gypsy news coverage, we talk about the horrors that European Romani face, Gryphon Training Group, The UK Policing Bill and much more.

We get a little emotional in this episode, and we think you'll understand why. Here are resources to various news articles that mention the things we spoke about in this episode https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J6ae87jd3kptJwex-p2Ul7t2A92VCOWc7zXv9uF8f_Q/edit?usp=sharing

Contact us:
Cristina (@cftvapothecary) & Fen (@ofbatbones)  RomaUnraveled@gmail.com

Content Warning: Harsh Language, discussion of the word Gypsy, mentions of slavery, holocaust, abuse, discrimination, oppression and racism.
Notice:This is a natural conversation podcast where we go unscripted to discuss the topic of the week.

Welcome back to Roma Unraveled - This week we're talking about the word Gypsy. Many people misunderstand the origin of the word, what it was originally used for, and how it still actively affects Roma around the world today. We're going to discuss how we feel about non-Romani people using the word, why we feel that way, and divert a little on our frustrations with people using the term loosely to describe themselves when reconnecting, branding, or just in general use. 

Remember, if you're Roma, you're welcome to love or hate the word - this is simply a brief overview on the history of the word, our experiences, and why we think Non-Romani people should work on removing it from their vocabulary. 

Contact us:
Cristina (@cftvapothecary) & Fen (@ofbatbones)  RomaUnraveled@gmail.com

Content Warning: This episode is free of explicitly triggering content, if you find anything disturbing please reach out.
Notice: This is a natural conversation podcast where we go unscripted to discuss the topic of the week.

This week is just about meeting the two of us (Cristina & Fen) and setting the ground for what this podcast will be. We touch on who we are, why we're doing this, and our motivations as well as some natural conversation. We're both a little nervous, a little chaotic, but extremely passionate and excited to share this project with you.

Thank you all for the support and taking the time to listen to us speak. We appreciate you all deeply.

Cristina (@cftvapothecary) & Fen (@ofbatbones)