A voice for the voiceless

After viewing the Roma photo essay I was intrigued and began researching current news articles about the Roma situation. What I discovered was similar to what I viewed in the slums of India, in the shanty-towns of Peru, and the poor back streets of Ecuador and the rural seaside coast. When poor and vulnerable populations are discriminated because of their race, religion, culture, or traditions the whole surrounding population suffers because of it. This seems to be a cycle of evil. When those in a society who have power, resources, and money yet deny access of these to their fellow man, those discriminated against not only become ill and transmit disease but they decrease the quality of life for all living in the area, and they often resort to crime therefore continuing the cycle of evil. These rising levels of crime are fuel to the fire of discrimination and the cycle only spirals deeper into hatred.

The more articles and news reports I read, the deeper the animosity and hatred toward the Roma people seemed to be rooted. Much of it stems from Gypsy gang violence and theft taking place in more and more western European cities but also due to the extreme differences in culture and lifestyle. Traditional Roma people believe in marrying their children young (promised in marriage by age 12 where they send their daughters to live in the homes of their ‘future husband’ until she has reached maturity for marriage), large families with many children, and children foregoing education to work with their parents. Their discrimination denies them access to jobs, education, adequate and safe housing, citizen rights, and healthcare. In my opinion the cycle will only continue if Roma are denied these opportunities and for as long as racial discrimination continues.

It is in my opinion that all people are created equal and therefore all are deserving of help. Therefore I believe I have the responsibility and opportunity to share what I have been given with others who have less. I want to help the poor, the orphans and the widows and as a public health leader I want to eliminate the racial discrimination and improve the living conditions of people like the Roma. May our voices be heard on behalf of the voiceless.