OTHERNESS OF THE ROMA ON THE MARGINS OF BARBARIANS – STEREOTYPES, PREJUDICES AND (ANTI)ZIGANISM IN SERBIA

Text topic: Studies

Text author: Јулија Матејић

This paper contemplates the topic of otherness and various forms of intolerance towards the other (xenophobia, racism, nationalism etc.), by referencing it to the postcolonial theoretical discourse. In doing so, the position of the Roma minority − the most vulnerable and marginalized other in Serbia, is envisaged from the position of knowledge and power of the first (the majority population). Tsvetan Todorov’s theoretical platform and his definition of the term barbarian were the starting point for the case study analysis – the reality show Šatra which was broadcasted in spring 2012 on the First Serbian Television. Although the initial objective of the Šatra show was to promote tolerance and criticize racism, this paper identifies the reality show as a mirror of the society (a reflection of society) and the paradigm of Romophobia in Serbia, as the show draws on hidden racism to reveal the stereotypes and prejudices of the mono-cultural majority. By referencing the concepts of Orientalism, Balkanism and Antiziganism, this paper defines the term Ziganism as the theoretical discourse based on the binary oppositions with regard to the Roma as others. The main thesis of this paper is that the members of the Roma population are not the ones who are barbarians (those incomprehensible foreigners at a lower civilizational level), but rather that we are − the majority population which treats the Roma as non-humans.