I wouldn't say the discrimination is specific to gypsies (although I know in some countries there's a racist element directed towards Romani people) but more broadly any 'traveller' community. That includes traditional Irish travellers, and other nomadic groups.
What often happens, is a group of travellers move into an area, and the inhabitants of that area aren't too happy about suddenly having all these new neighbours. Sometimes, because of the lifestyles of these communities, there is a culture clash, theft, damage to property, general anti-social behaviour and so on.
Travellers live in a sort of mobile Wild West, except that they bring that Wild West into established towns and cities where there are different laws and manners of behaviour which often conflict.
That's where the anger comes from - so often the discrimination begins with legitimate grounds, which is why it's tolerated. The bad reputation of some troublesome travellers is used to tarnish all traveller communities, and to justify some pretty nasty behaviour against them, unfortunately.
I don't think there is something as "legitimate grounds" for discrimination. But I do agree that most people judge the whole community for what a minority does.
What I mean is it's understandable that people have a negative opinion of travellers due to negative experiences with travellers. Those negative experiences are real, and are what underpin a lot of the prejudice.
It's just not fair to tar everyone with the same brush.
IIN for "gypsy" discrimination to be acceptable?
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I wouldn't say the discrimination is specific to gypsies (although I know in some countries there's a racist element directed towards Romani people) but more broadly any 'traveller' community. That includes traditional Irish travellers, and other nomadic groups.
What often happens, is a group of travellers move into an area, and the inhabitants of that area aren't too happy about suddenly having all these new neighbours. Sometimes, because of the lifestyles of these communities, there is a culture clash, theft, damage to property, general anti-social behaviour and so on.
Travellers live in a sort of mobile Wild West, except that they bring that Wild West into established towns and cities where there are different laws and manners of behaviour which often conflict.
That's where the anger comes from - so often the discrimination begins with legitimate grounds, which is why it's tolerated. The bad reputation of some troublesome travellers is used to tarnish all traveller communities, and to justify some pretty nasty behaviour against them, unfortunately.
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I don't think there is something as "legitimate grounds" for discrimination. But I do agree that most people judge the whole community for what a minority does.
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Perhaps I need to rephrase that.
What I mean is it's understandable that people have a negative opinion of travellers due to negative experiences with travellers. Those negative experiences are real, and are what underpin a lot of the prejudice.
It's just not fair to tar everyone with the same brush.