News
Tucker Carlson invited George Eli onto his program this past Monday to speak about the recent influx of Roma immigrants to the town of California, PA, and the reaction of the residents, including unsubstantiated claims of public defecation and public removal of chicken heads. The attempt to smear the Roma people failed, as George called Tucker's bluff, resulting in the inability of the Fox News staff to provide any evidence of these claims. However, we as Americans must understand that these Roma are asylum seekers, who have fled rural Romania due to institutional racism, police brutality, and severe workforce discrimination which has created inhumane conditions. The Roma of California, PA have been participating in the recent Alternatives to Immigration Detention Program, which houses non-criminal asylum seekers instead of detaining them, saving $2 billion for American taxpayers annually. Surprisingly, Tucker failed to bring up this very important fact, along with any first-hand accounts from the residents, and their overwhelmingly positive encounters between the new immigrants.
For the true story, refer to the article:
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“Most of the Americans I have met don’t know much about the Romani people," she says. "They know about Gypsy, but not as a real ethnic group, real people. They see it more like a Halloween costume, a role that you play once a year.”
"While Eli does not deny the existence of anti-Roma prejudice, he is also critical of some Roma preconceptions, particular the notion that education is only for the Gadjie (non-Roma)." - j.b. spins
"Eli, 41, grew up in Newark and says he’s known the Johns family his whole life, from church functions and parties. Bobby Johns’ daughters call him “Uncle George.”
Traditionally, Roma (Gypsies) do not become filmmakers. George Eli did not know the origin of this cultural restriction. He obeyed it anyway. "Gypsies have these traditions. Nobody knows where they came from, and they honor them,'' Eli says. ``Gypsies' worst enemies are Gypsies. They don't research why they don't become filmmakers or don't do anything else that isn't allowed. I didn't research. I was a victim and a predator.'' - Susan Dune
"A FILM BY American Romani filmmaker George Eli looks at the real lives of Romani people in modern day America, against the backdrop of the age-old Gypsy stereotypes which continue to make them so misunderstood". - Damian Le Bas
Thanks to the Romani tradition of hospitality our host, George Eli, is able to travel the world staying with a different Roma (Gypsy) family or individual in each episode. The host and his new friends explore the city finding mouthwatering cuisine, bargain shopping, and exciting night life. We go well off the beaten path of the typical tourists and unlock secrets known only to each city's Roma (Gypsies).
"Sing it Romanes" took the audience on a musical journey through the history of the Romani people, depicting the struggles and hardship they encountered in the face of persecution while celebrating their culture, accomplishments, and perseverance.
A dais of talented Romani musicians and performers will tell the epic story of their history, from their first arrival in Europe to their survival in the Holocaust, and their ongoing struggle for inclusion.
Throughout and artistic musical events, we can both educate and entertain, because we believe that "art speaks to the soul in a way nothing else can".
George Eli (Romani filmmaker) will present “Gypsies on Film: Roma Media Initiative” on Monday, March 6th at 2 PM in 360 Condon Hall. This event is sponsored by the Oregon Humanities Center and Department of Anthropology.