Developing an Effective Romani Integration Strategy: Experiences of Ethnoculturally Neutral and Specific Policies in the Czech Republic¹

Abstract

While the question of how to integrate Romani communities has increased in political significance since the 1990s, a consensus has yet to be reached on how best to design integration policies for such a heterogeneous group of people. This article examines debates on whether ethnoculturally specific or neutral policies are more appropriate. Using the Czech Romani integration policy as a case study, it identifies as a significant problem the conflation of the Romani ethnic identity with the low socio‐economic status of many (but not all) Roma. This has led to a policy focus on programmes to tackle social deprivation rather than addressing the discrimination which affects all Roma regardless of class. As a consequence of the decentralisation of power in the Czech Republic and the ingrained nature of anti‐Romani prejudice, policies, whether ethnoculturally neutral or specific, will be implemented or rejected at the local level on the basis of local priorities.

What’s in a name again? The identity frames and mobilisation strategies of Czech Romani and Pro-Romani activists

“…The aim was also to direct these equalising measures and policies at the local level. However, many local politicians and governments took a negative view of these measures, so merely delegating the task to the local level did not ensure policies would be implemented and did not produce the expected results (see also Cashman, 2008). Czech society's hostile attitude to Roma people, moreover, initiated another waves of exodus.…”

New label no progress: institutional racism and the persistent segregation of Romani students in the Czech Republic

“…Tensions between the centralised development and local implementation of integration policies remain a barrier to effective change, particularly when problems emerge with how policies are communicated and funded (Cashman 2008a(Cashman , 2009. Given the prevailing antiRoma sentiments, there is little political capital to be made by supporting Roma issues, and much to be lost.…”

“…Given the prevailing antiRoma sentiments, there is little political capital to be made by supporting Roma issues, and much to be lost. At the local level municipalities are reluctant to fund projects which appear to benefit Roma fearing a backlash from the majority (Cashman 2008b). Furthermore, it has been left to schools to decide whether or not to engage with the integration initiatives.…”

“…In Czech this is referred to as the civic principle (občanský princip), whereby in public life a person's status as an individual citizen takes precedence over their minority or ethnic status (Vermeersch 2004, 12;Cashman 2008b). When the power dynamics and structures of racism are masked, Whites come to believe that their achievements are the results of their own personal efforts rather than accrued through a system which rewards one group disproportionately compared to others (Solomon et al 2005, 147-150).…”