This paper explore the tensions that emerge in the Roma politics in Finland. The tensions appear in three overlapping ontological social spaces: in governmental practices, in Roma religious activism and in traditional power system.
Paper long abstract
This paper explore the tensions that emerge in the Roma politics in Finland. The tensions appear in three overlapping ontological social spaces: in governmental practices, in Roma religious activism and in traditional power system.
The European Roma politics regard Roma as the most vulnerable, marginalized and to some extent, most unengaging ethnic group. Based on two years involvement and fieldwork in Roma integration project, this paper reveals the counter-story by elaborating how Roma activists mingle in different social spaces to promote Roma issues. While intermingling and negotiating, Roma activists, at the same time, run into contradictions and tensions. Thus, the story is no longer about passive Roma but instead, how minority activism is responded to.