Miley Cyrus Gypsy Heart Tour

[William Bila]

Would anyone be interested in signing or editing this letter and having it sent from this group?  I just sent this letter to Disney in hopes that it will reach this young commercial artist who is very very popular in the United States and Canada.  Let me know what you think.

 ----    ----   ----    -----    -----    ----  

Miley Cyrus
c/o The Disney Channel
3800 Alameda Ave
Burbank, CA 915058

Miley Cyrus
P.O. Box 1459
Santa Box, California 90406
USA

                                                                                                               Paris, 18 May 2011
Dear Ms. Cyrus:

Your “gypsy heart” tour has sparked a substantial amount of controversy and strong feelings in our community. I’d like to take this opportunity to explain to you why that is happening, so that you understand that some of these responses while harsh should not be taken personally by you from the collective “us.”

First of all Gypsies are real people, with real feelings. We are not Disney characters, and your association with Disney might be adding fuel to the fire. First of all, most of us want to reclaim the use of the word Gypsy, which is a misnomer for our people. We are Roma; most of us prefer that word, because it comes from our language, which is an Indo-Aryan language. We don’t come from Egypt - which the etymological origin from which the word Gypsy is derived.

The Roma people number between 12-14 million by some estimates. We are a diverse people, though we do share some common characteristics. I invite you to explore any and all of these web sites to learn more about us:

http://www.kopachi.com/
http://www.romea.cz/english/index.php?id=detail&detail=2007_1520
http://www.idebate.org/roma/2011/03/18/rights-groups-demand-protect...
http://erionet.org/site/

As you will see from several of the links I provide you, the Roma people are suffering from racial discrimination in Europe, similar to what African Americans faced before the 1960s in the US. Most Americans and Canadians are unaware of this. Little progress has been made to fight this prejudice.

We want people to know who we really are. When Disney and others take the word “gypsy” and commercialize the romantic mythological notions of what a prejudiced society has created throughout the ages, that directly harms us. Many people will be extremely angry at you. I hope you will take this opportunity to show them and to the world, that you are concerned about not perpetuating that stereotype.

You have the power to make a difference. Please raise awareness of the issues the Roma are facing during your tour. There is no middle ground. Ignoring us is the equivalent of silent complicity with the majority. It is not the right thing to do. Sorry, by using the word gypsy, you have automatically entered into the territory of something that affects the lives of millions. I urge you to make the choice to affect change in a positive way. Speak out against Romaphobia, against racial violence, and consider donating a small portion of your profits from this tour to charities that support families of children affected by lead poisoning from refugee camps in Kosovo, or supporters of the Dale Farm initiative in the UK.

I would be happy to provide you with more information if you need any further assistance.

Best regards, 

[Ciuin Ferrin]

That is a very elequent letter, very well phrased. If you haven't sent it already, please add my signature to it. While I have a soft spot for Disney, since it was their film that sparked my desire to work for Romani rights, I feel they do have a tendency to ignore the status of those they choose to exploit, even unwittingly.

 

Ciuin Ferrin, Lead Researcher and Educational Director for O Porrajmos Education Society

[Viola Hinz-Hassan Pour Razavi]

I would also sign!

Viola Razavi

[Josef Banom]

Bill add me in as well. Very well done. Have you considered to do a Czech translation? Maybe I can help with that. More people will sign the better, is it not?

[Monica Bodirsky]

I'm with you Bill. Well said.

[Els de Groen]

 

Sorry, Bill, for only reading your strong letter now. I was moving and therefore offline. I gladly support!

[Kristina Burbank]

I appreciate the intent of this letter very much and am glad you are moving on this issue! How is it going? 

 

Tina

[Els de Groen]

 

Hi Bill,

 

You are also a member of the International Roma Anti Defamation League Group. Shall I supply you with the logo? It is easy to make a letter head with the postal address, as mentioned in the broadcasting mail to all today. Many of us will sign it!

els

[William Bila]

Thank you,

yes, please send the logo.  I will try to send it again before the end of the month.

 

[Glenda Bailey-Mershon]

Bill, illness has kept me away from this website for a while. I've only just seen your letter. Bravo! I hope you sent it. Did you get a reply?

Glenda

[William Bila]

Am I mistaken, but is all this visible to anyone who does a good google search?