Comment by Ciuin Ferrin on March 23, 2011 at 4:56

Yes, Casimire, he does, though I mentioned in my post that we should not, in my opinion, use him. I had the opportunity to ask him directly of his Romani roots and he said he didn't know what "Romani" was. I then said the word "Gypsy" and he said he had no idea what I was talking about. Also, when it has come up in classes I have taught, one student started laughing and said, "So that explains the Lewenski thing!" So, I would not recommend using him. I did mention we could use Chaplan as well as others. I have Dr. Hancock's book We Are the Romani Peaple that includes a chapter on the Who's Who of the Roma and there is a website as well. I would recommend putting some bands forward as well, such as Vadim and VIA Romen, Sasha Kolpakov, Taraf de Haidouks, Django, and people like Papusza, Settella Steinbach, Mateo Maximoff, Rita Hayworth, Michael Caine, and of course, Dr. Hancock. The list is much longer of course, but those are the people who's names or faces people will recognize.

 

The press pack should be a different letter than what we send to the stars of Criminal Minds. That letter needs to be carefully crafted, brief, yet to the point. We also need to give them a point of action. We need to decide first exactly what we want them to do before we ask them to do it.

 

We do need to send letters to those Roma we want quotes from as well. I've been trying to figure out the proper way to word it so that they could give us brief quotes that are directly related to the text. I think we will need to send them a copy of the press pack and let them comment where they wish. The text may need to be translated into various languages.

 

Anyway, that is what I have for now.

 

Baxt,

C

Comment by Glenda Bailey-Mershon on March 23, 2011 at 5:05

Would it be useful, perhaps, to have for the press pack a brief timeline--also available to be adapted from Dr. Hancock's work--that includes recent events in Europe and the founding of the Initiative?

 

Glenda

Comment by Glenda Bailey-Mershon on March 23, 2011 at 5:06

Yes, Ciuin, let's share in a couple of days what we have and see what needs changing, or recombining. I am finding it interesting that writing brings up many questions.

Comment by Ciuin Ferrin on March 23, 2011 at 5:19

Yes, Glenda, the more you write the more you'll find you didn't have the answers you thought you did, or even better, you can't put your fingers on the information you thought you knew. I hate it when I have to reference an answer to a question that sounds something like this: "How do I know that? Because I read it in the book with the red cover on the third shelf from the bottom of the last bookcase on the fifth floor of the University's library. I can't tell you the author, but I know the book has a red cover." I've made it my goal for 2011 to return through all my research and verify where my sources are.

 

Baxt,

C

Comment by Glenda Bailey-Mershon on March 23, 2011 at 5:45

"the more you write the more you'll find you didn't have the answers you thought you did, or even better, you can't put your fingers on the information you thought you knew."

 

Oh, Ciuin, how true!

Comment by Ciuin Ferrin on March 23, 2011 at 6:46

I've been struggling with these issues for some time. I have the fire, the passion, the desire, but without the facts at my fingertips, without the references, even though I know the facts to be true, those facts are useless.

 

I started a notebook where I've been going back through all of my books, notes, documents, anything I have, and getting the references down. I've had wonderful results so far.

 

It is interesting....can you prove that which you know to be true?

 

Baxt,

C

Comment by Casimire Williamsii on March 23, 2011 at 15:06

Re: The press pack, I suggest that you start out by addressing some of the Myths that have been surrounding Romani people since the Inquisition. The whole "Son's of Cain" myth is one of the worst ones. This led up to being blamed for the Black Plague together with Jewish people. Along with other stories (without any fact or foundation) such as that we forged the nails that hung Christ. Then brief history how led up to the Nazi death camps and not being represented at the Nuremberg trials. Then tie it all in with facts of current situation, this based on the letter Ciuin wrote A&E network. Then finish it off that this Brutal Genocide is still going on today. Point out that this Genocide ranges in many froms from cultural to human beings being forced to live at Kosovo lead mines. This I feel is just as insidious as anything that Dr. Mengele could have thought up. That way you go full circle, that is good writing. Then you lead the reader to the clear light of day. That we are beautiful products of evolution, that we love our kids and old people just like everyone else. That we have make huge contrabutions to the world in all fields. And then list famous Romani that you compiled. And conclude that we have a lot to offer the world in the form of a beautiful ethic order. That one of the goals of IRADL is to go beyond myths, misconceptions, superstition to who we really are. Human Beings.

That and the fact that...tired of being kicked around, and could hold wrong doers accountable, then not such an easy goddammed target. 

Casimire X       

 

 

 

 

Comment by Casimire Williamsii on March 23, 2011 at 15:24

@ Glenda & Ciuin...If you really want to get on A&E's (& others) case, join the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU. Then when you have the press pack and statement of purpose ready, then approach the ACLU for assistance. They are still a very good ally and could be an excellent resource.  

www.acul.org

I suggest contacting Anti Defamation League, who knows they might be of assistance in getting this project off the ground. Could provide a page for us on their site, a way of promoting the formation of IRADL. They have a Hispanic page on their site, so I feel quite sure that if they were approached correctly could be another excellent resource.

www.adl.org

 

Casimire X 

 

 

 

Comment by Casimire Williamsii on March 23, 2011 at 15:31

@Glenda & Ciuin, then when you have the press pack ready, I suggest you link it to every Romani Blog, FaceBook Page, and E-publication that you can find in order to gather membership and support. Ciuin you're letter is very important it can be modified and used as a foundation for other tasks.

Comment by Casimire Williamsii on March 23, 2011 at 16:06

Patrin website is excellent too.

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