Stereotypes
Dear Editor: Fifteen years ago I led a project to train Roma journalists in Slovakia. My students were honest and hardworking, but a stereotype followed them, limiting their opportunities. The Roma are an ethnic group commonly called Gypsies. My students were constantly confronted with discrimination based on the stereotype “thieving Gypsy.” At the end of a day’s training, we wanted to have a dinner at a local restaurant, but my students were refused entrance. After the training, I had trouble placing my qualified students as interns because of the fear that they would steal.
It is easy to spread stereotypes and, unfortunately, that was done at the Wearable Art Show this weekend when one of the acts portrayed Gypsies as pickpockets. The problem was compounded by jokes from the podium about watching your wallets when the Gypsies come.
The dancing in the act was very good and the costumes wonderful. I am sure that the participants in the show did not intend to demean any ethnic group. But they did help to reinforce and spread a stereotype that, unfortunately, sticks to all members of the world Roma community. That stereotype leads to discrimination. As a community we must work to avoid demeaning a class of people and judge each person on his or her own merits not through a stereotype. My wish for my former Roma students in Slovakia is that someday they may be judged as individuals, or as Dr. King says, “by the content of their character.”
Rich McClear, Sitka
Health Care Act
Dear Editor: All I can say is WOW! I was thrilled with how many people showed up for the free “Affordable Enrollment Event” this past Saturday on the UAS campus. I want to give a special thanks to the UAS staff for hosting this event and opening up their beautiful Student Success Center to community members. Citizens could use the computers and get assistance signing up for affordable health care. People also filled out ‘‘hardship’’ and the ‘‘Alaska Native/American Indian’’ exemption forms.
Another enrollment event is happening this Thursday, 6-8 p.m., at the UAS Student Success Center – bring your income information, Social Security number and birthdates of all family members. A special presentation will also be offered at noon this Thursday at UAS. Now is the time to act as the deadline is March 31 to enroll in healthcare, file an exemption or pay a tax penalty.
Andrea Thomas,
SEARHC Outreach
and Enrollment Manager
