The title ‘White Gypsies’ comes from Romas in my hometown (Varaždin, Croatia), and how they address the Caucasians. Since the Caucasians separate themselves from Romas and carelessly call them ‘Gypsies’, the Gypsies started to call the Caucasians, White Gypsies.
The reason why I chose this as my final subject, is because of a local problem that I am more than familiar with. I have been witnessing their injustice since childhood and want to contribute to the social issue of separation and cognitive dissonance. The term White Gypsies could not be more accurate, as the Caucasians are equally responsible, if not more, to work on the issue, integrate themselves and learn about their culture, just as well they are forced to integrate into ours.
In the video, I wanted to present two sides of the same town. One that is seemingly beautiful and cared for, with incredible devotion of maintaining the social norms - and the other of a Roma village on the borders of the town totally left out and forgotten. Not to forget to mention that the two sides are no further away than 1,4km.
In the initial plan, I wanted to interview the locals of the Roma settlement. I organized a small humanitarian action where five of my friends and I visited the village and brought clothes and food as a gift. However, upon asking for an interview, they refused. Respectfully, I understood and accepted their decision. They agreed I can film the scene but refused to give any form of a statement on film.
Feeling that it is my duty to share and raise awareness of the issue, instead of just knowing and agreeing with the rest of my friends; that it is the way it is, since “Often we feel trapped in one system, and we feel the system is so much larger than we are, but we are the ones who are keeping that system going” 1.
I chose the video form as my map to show paths, contrast and the best representation of the issue I am highlighting. The absurdity of the non-existent border between the centre of the town and the ‘ghetto’. The main focus was to present “… an idea about which forms of counter-power we need to create and what social struggles are, as they are much more than mere representations.” 2.

Upon finishing almost filming the footage, I accidentally met Gordan. Gordan is a Roma citizen that was willing to conduct a short interview (outside of the Roma settlement). Once I explained briefly what it is for and the reason why; he pleasantly agreed to contribute. I provided questions that I found important and answers interesting from his point of view. He was willing to answer, and we exchanged contact if further collaboration was needed. He also invited me to his home and told me he would help me work on this project further, as he can ‘open doors for me’ easier. I invited Gordan for lunch or coffee anytime as well.





Sources:
1. Rizmi, Uzma. “Decolonization as Care.” Slow Reader: A Resource for Design Thinking and Practice, 90
2 Mesquita, André. “Politics, Art and the Insurrection of Maps.” his Is Not an Atlas: A Global Collection of Counter-Cartographies, 26

This map shows the area where the video map was filmed.
It also shows the distance between the town centre and the Roma settlement, and no actual border between.