Okay, here's something I've been wondering about for awhile. There is currently a controversy on this subject precipitated by a remark made by President Obama...he used the term "gyp" in a speech regarding insurance practices and he's now being accused of antitziganism. Okay, we all know that the term gypsy is used all the time in connection with this music that we all love. What I would like to know is the actual attitude of people of Romany descent when they hear or see the term used in this context? I feel it's important to know because we talk about this music a lot. Some of us are teachers and /or involved in the media and I'm sure it's something we could all stand to think about! I would especially like to hear from anyone who is of Romany descent or anyone who has a lot of first hand experience on this subject. Please don't turn this into a liberal-conservative question, that is not my intent. I'm mostly concerned with being respectful to a culture that has given the world so much beautiful art and how we can talk about their contribution respectfully Peace!
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The other issue is more difficult. As with most things I am sure you can find people who are not offended by a term and some that are. I know Michael has said that when he was in Holland the Sinti he met used the term as almost a sales pitch as a point of pride (although they didn't like the term Tzigeuner) Gypsy being an english word most didn't really care. They used it to name their bands (Paulus Schaefer Gypsy Band, Bireli Gypsy project). That being said I have a friend who is Bulgarian Roma who is very offended by the term Gypsy so there ya go. I think it might be prudent in the situation when you are speaking directly to some one of an ethnic group to err on caution and use the terms they use.
When describing this music I will usually call it Hot Club swing or Django Reinhardt style swing. either way your'e going to have to do some describing to most people.
Generally speaking the Sinti/Roma population of N.America is so small and has almost no representation in the political sphere so these sorts of offenses mostly go unchallenged, whereas a similar slur against other more vocal groups would cause quite a stir. Like what if he said "jewed?"....which is a term I heard a lot while living in the South and no one seemed to think there was anything wrong with it.
It's probably safe to say that most Americans have never even knowingly met someone of Sinti/Roma descent....but it's different in Europe were this issue is much more public.
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In my search for some answer, I read an interesting article, written by a Rom in response to a program that aired on KHPR in Honolulu back in 1997 http://www.romani.org/local/rwgbhltr.txt. The author speaks very eloquently to the many stereotypes that brand Roma people. While in some of the text the term 'Gypsy' is used, there is a statement of preference for the term 'Roma'. Again, this is just one person speaking, but if you take the time to read the article, I think you might be more inclined to use 'Roma' in future. In fact, you can find the same type of preference stated on the official Romani home page http://www.romani.org/.
Now, I do think that since Michael spent quite some time studying and living among the Roma in pursuit of learning this style of music, the term 'Gypsy' is probably acceptable to describe the music. However, it may just be that Roma people themselves tire of explaining or caring about the misuse of the term. So, though I still cannot provide or know the answer, I'll use another term, as not all 'Gypsies' are of Roma descent, and since there is more than a few types of Roma music, the brand might just well be called 'Hot Club Swing'. It is the music legacy of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli that we all find so rewarding.
Best wishes to all
It should be noted that most of the practitioners of "Gypsy jazz" are Sinti, not Roma. Some, like Raphael Fays and the Ferrets are Gitane (actually Boulou and Elios Ferre are half Jewish, and Dorado is a quarter Jewish). Most Sinti I spoke with didn't acknowledge any connection with the Rom, and many were outright hostile towards them!
The Sinti don't like getting lumped in under the catch-all term "Rom" and have been lobbying to change the Romani World Congress to the Sinti and Romani World Congress.
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Gypsy
ca.1600, alteration of gypcian, a worn-down M.E. dial. form of egypcien "Egyptian," from the supposed origin of these people. Cognate with Sp. Gitano and close in sense to Turk. and Arabic Kipti "gypsy," Zingari / Tzigano from the It. and Ger., is of unknown origin.
The Rom/Sinti told people they were Egyptian Coptic Christians who were doing penance for making the nails used on Christ's cross. It was a total ruse of course but they still have the name Egyptian, or "Gypsy" because of it. During the middle ages there were loads of people making religious pilgrimages of all kinds and it was considered an obligation to help pilgrims. The Rom/Sinti took advantage of this by convincing everyone they were also pilgrims, but had to account for their darker complexion, hence the reference to Egypt. It only worked for a little while until everyone figured out what they were up to. But the name stuck....
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To me, it doesn't seem like the term Gypsy Jazz is going away. All the major festivals across the world use the term gypsy in the titles, and descriptions.
Now, I don't think that common usage is enough a reason to say that the term is OK. Obviously, if a term is derogatory, it is no matter how much it's used.
So, I guess the question is, are the Sinti and Roma people OK with the use of Gypsy in English to describe their music? I assume they are since, they are often headlining the festivals that use the term in their title.
And, before we get into it, I already try to use "hot club jazz" right off the bat, to avoid the issue. But you also run into OTHER people describing your music on events and such. So, if it is an issue, I would ask it to be changed whenever it comes up.
Thank you for your input!
[Please let me know if I should start a new thread, but since there were good points raised here, I thought it'd be ok to re-open it.]