Edited by Hede Maria Cavell, Sunday, 28 Feb 2021, 13:29
Having completed A111 and working my way through DD103, l have to say thank you. I realise how important these subjects are especially in relation to heritage and culture, and in my opinion these subjects should be taught on a level with English and maths.
If we wish to understand about others then we have to understand our individual backgrounds. Which can be a difficult task for many reasons. What evidence do l have for my theory? My experience and no doubt there will be others that can relate to this. I am British, I am white with Western European features. I speak fluent English and l was born here, it is taken for granted that l am English and l have always accepted that it is how it is. On forms l class myself as white British, however l am not. I am of mixed race, l am a product of Eastern European meets Western European. Along with this, is the clash of cultures and heritage to boot. Nothing different in that you may say, we all have different heritages and l would agree with you. However l was born ( first born), in the middle of the 1960's to a Hungarian refugee from a Roma circus background and an English man . It was during the era of the cold war, discrimination and prejudices where the norm along with the culture of, 'Be seen but not heard' corporal punishment and clip round the ear for answering back ! It was not all bad but that is just how it was! l was bought up just knowing l was British the only thing that stuck out was my name. People would ask me where my name came from and l would say Hungary and that is it. My mother fled Hungary during the1956 uprising https://www.britannica.com/event/Hungarian-Revolution-1956 l knew that she came from a circus background however that was as far as it went in those days. She would not talk Hungarian at that time , the perception she had of England was the Queen and the royal family which she holds dear to this day, and she taught herself English listening to , 'The Archers'. Although my mother has great respect for this country some customs and way of life, everyday language can still be miss interpreted. My mother looks English and therefore when not understanding certain ways or language she can become abrupt and frustrated. I along with others automatically assumed that she understood everything because l had taken for granted that although she was Hungarian she was English. I took this for granted because she was my mum. Because my mother was 'different', in certain ways, l was aware and very understanding when it came to others but not my mother. When issues were raised regarding background such as medical information, l would be able to give details of my fathers side but not my mothers . l would be frustrated because she would not tell me, Dr's disapprovingly saying ' surely you must know ' , if l could not give them an answer, the sigh was enough. Judging? Various people would ask questions regarding my background, l would be able to speak in confidence about my fathers side but my mothers it was a different matter, as a consequence of this l can see were it can cause divisions within a family by having the ability to talk about one side and not the other. By completing A111 and discovering DD103, l have been able to discover the reasons as to why my mother did not speak about her culture or heritage and the need to 'blend and fit in ' so no questions were asked . As the years have passed and and as society lessens its strangle hold on certain issues my mother has explained a little more without the fear of persecution and the modules are helping me to understand and fill in the gaps. The Roma culture is such that certain issues are not spoken about. My mothers generation where persecuted and lived in fear of reprisals and because of this 'real' fear it has lead to some conflicts through generations. Although she may try to forget and l do respect this, it is a part of me and my identity.
htmlhttps://www.peterleeson.com/Gypsies.pdf · PDF fie.
Having read and also researched the self governing of the Roma, l can now fully understand how our life has been conducted, all be it in a round about fashion! I have been able to discover the cultures and traditions of the Roma's and in turn l can now speak in confidence when passing information on that l am half Roma. It is so important that from a young age that we educate children about their heritage and cultures, so that they may access resources that can help them relate to what might be a taboo issue, for their parent/s . If we are able to relate to our immediate heritage and culture some, may be able to relate to, and have a better understanding of the term 'diversity.' We also need to be mindful that some of us are of mixed race and that we cannot be defined by the colour of our skin.
The importance of A111 and DD103.
Having completed A111 and working my way through DD103, l have to say thank you. I realise how important these subjects are especially in relation to heritage and culture, and in my opinion these subjects should be taught on a level with English and maths.
If we wish to understand about others then we have to understand our individual backgrounds. Which can be a difficult task for many reasons. What evidence do l have for my theory? My experience and no doubt there will be others that can relate to this. I am British, I am white with Western European features. I speak fluent English and l was born here, it is taken for granted that l am English and l have always accepted that it is how it is. On forms l class myself as white British, however l am not. I am of mixed race, l am a product of Eastern European meets Western European. Along with this, is the clash of cultures and heritage to boot. Nothing different in that you may say, we all have different heritages and l would agree with you. However l was born ( first born), in the middle of the 1960's to a Hungarian refugee from a Roma circus background and an English man . It was during the era of the cold war, discrimination and prejudices where the norm along with the culture of, 'Be seen but not heard' corporal punishment and clip round the ear for answering back ! It was not all bad but that is just how it was! l was bought up just knowing l was British the only thing that stuck out was my name. People would ask me where my name came from and l would say Hungary and that is it. My mother fled Hungary during the1956 uprising https://www.britannica.com/event/Hungarian-Revolution-1956
l knew that she came from a circus background however that was as far as it went in those days. She would not talk Hungarian at that time , the perception she had of England was the Queen and the royal family which she holds dear to this day, and she taught herself English listening to , 'The Archers'. Although my mother has great respect for this country some customs and way of life, everyday language can still be miss interpreted. My mother looks English and therefore when not understanding certain ways or language she can become abrupt and frustrated. I along with others automatically assumed that she understood everything because l had taken for granted that although she was Hungarian she was English. I took this for granted because she was my mum. Because my mother was 'different', in certain ways, l was aware and very understanding when it came to others but not my mother. When issues were raised regarding background such as medical information, l would be able to give details of my fathers side but not my mothers . l would be frustrated because she would not tell me, Dr's disapprovingly saying ' surely you must know ' , if l could not give them an answer, the sigh was enough. Judging? Various people would ask questions regarding my background, l would be able to speak in confidence about my fathers side but my mothers it was a different matter, as a consequence of this l can see were it can cause divisions within a family by having the ability to talk about one side and not the other. By completing A111 and discovering DD103, l have been able to discover the reasons as to why my mother did not speak about her culture or heritage and the need to 'blend and fit in ' so no questions were asked . As the years have passed and and as society lessens its strangle hold on certain issues my mother has explained a little more without the fear of persecution and the modules are helping me to understand and fill in the gaps. The Roma culture is such that certain issues are not spoken about. My mothers generation where persecuted and lived in fear of reprisals and because of this 'real' fear it has lead to some conflicts through generations. Although she may try to forget and l do respect this, it is a part of me and my identity.
Roma Culture: Customs, Traditions & Beliefs | Live Science,https://www.larp.com/jahavra/gypsylaw.
htmlhttps://www.peterleeson.com/Gypsies.pdf · PDF fie.
Having read and also researched the self governing of the Roma, l can now fully understand how our life has been conducted, all be it in a round about fashion! I have been able to discover the cultures and traditions of the Roma's and in turn l can now speak in confidence when passing information on that l am half Roma. It is so important that from a young age that we educate children about their heritage and cultures, so that they may access resources that can help them relate to what might be a taboo issue, for their parent/s . If we are able to relate to our immediate heritage and culture some, may be able to relate to, and have a better understanding of the term 'diversity.' We also need to be mindful that some of us are of mixed race and that we cannot be defined by the colour of our skin.