The Didim Romany People Culture and Solidarity Association has become inactive, since the members refrain from revealing their identities due to the existing negative prejudices.
Bayram İşleyen, the vice president of the association, said, “We established our association, but most of our citizens describe themselves as refugees, not as Romany, since they came here from Salonika.”
Reminding that the Romany are usually associated with crimes such as burglary, İşleyen adds “Those who are uncomfortable with these prejudices do not want to reveal their identities, they do not become a member and they do not support the association.”
According to İşleyen, the Romanies are among the first settlers in Didim, who came from Salonika because of the forced deportation in 1923. They do agriculture and husbandry. “We also sweat for our bread. The concerns of our citizens should end. If the Kurds, the Alevis, the Laz can reveal their identities, then the Romani should too.”
“We are a part of the chain and we have a share in this district and in this country as much as everyone else. I am proud to say I am a Romani.” (BE/EÜ/TB)
