ROMA RISING / ROMSKÉ OBROZENÍ
The project is organized under the Auspices of
Mrs. Livia Klausová, wife of the President of the Czech Republic
Mr. Svatopluk Karásek, Government Commissioner for Human Rights
Roma Rising / Romské obrození makes visual the ideal that the human spirit can, despite prejudice and denial, rise to its level of ambition and excellence. Stereotyping causes us to overlook the dedicated among minorities, people of talent and courage, who succeed on society's own terms. Here is a selection of more than one hundred Roma citizens of the Czech Republic who take part in a solid and growing middleclass and professional class. Among society's best, they resist organised discrimination every day from birth, hurdle undeserved setbacks, face down real danger every day. And are better at what they do than their majority-culture counterparts. All face constant struggle to remain "successful." RR/RO counters the widely-held view that "gypsies" merely play music, wear folkloric costumes, wander the country, work little. Not thought possible to exist, they lead lives rich and full of accomplishment, while remaining connected to their culture. Each is worthy of the appreciation and admiration of all who aspire to a just and open society. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, these brave souls represent the "better angels of our nature."
A word about the photographs in this series. Black-and-white reduces the psychological experience to its most fundamental and direct. A sometimes ordinary context is intentional: this is a manner in which the Roma are seldom presented in the media, they address us with respect and dignity.
Za podpory/With the Support:
Ministerstva kultury, Městské části Praha 1 a Velvyslanectví USA
