Exploring new worlds in American Romani Studies

Social and cultural attitudes among the American Mačvaia

Bibliographic Data

ID12757240
AuthorsRena C Gropper (City University of New York, corresponding author), Carol A Miller (0000-0003-2772-9531, Hunter College)
Year2001
Volume11
Issue2
Pages81-110
Publication date2001-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRomani Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1528-0748 • E-ISSN: 1757-2274
PublisherLiverpool University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.3828/rs.2001.5
OpenAlexW2007497941
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited8

Borrowing from Marshall Sahlins’s recent constructive criticism of anthropology, we examine some of the fundamental assumptions invoked in Romani studies since its inception. Utilizing interactions with the same groups of Roma over half a century allows testing those assumptions against actual fieldwork. We contrast the concept of romanía (‘Gypsyness’) with the scholars’ concept of ‘real Gypsy’ and document many changes in attitudes and practices we have witnessed, some minor and transient and others more radical and seemingly permanent. We offer the concept of ‘selective multiculturalism,’ the idea that individuals can be fully comfortable in more than one culture, and ask that scholars consider its use in future research. We also suggest that future investigations be conducted with Roma as peer participants in the process

Constructive · Contrast (vision · Criticism · Epistemology · Minor (academic · Multiculturalism · Political science · Process (computing · Social science · Sociology · Anthropology · Law · Philippine History and Culture · Philosophy · Romani and Gypsy Studies · South Asian Studies and Conflicts

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