Roma Rights and Civil Rights: A Transatlantic Comparison

Description

Roma Rights and Civil Rights tackles the movements for - and expressions of - equality for Roma in Central and Southeast Europe and African Americans from two complementary perspectives: law and cultural studies. Interdisciplinary in approach, the book engages with comparative law, European studies, cultural studies, and critical race theory. Its central contribution is to compare the experiences of Roma and African Americans regarding racialization, marginalization, and mobilization for equality. Deploying a novel approach, the book challenges conventional notions of civil rights and paradigms in Romani studies.

Felix B. Chang is Professor of Law at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Sunnie T. Rucker-Chang is Assistant Professor of Slavic and East European Studies and Director of European Studies at the University of Cincinnati.

'While the similarities shared by both the Romani and the African American peoples are considerable, to date very little has been published drawing attention to that fact. Both having been removed from their original homelands as a result of religious and political expansion, both having inherited the baggage of centuries of slavery, both having emerged as composite 'new' peoples, both bearing the brunt of sometimes intense racism, much can be learned about the struggle of both Romanies and African Americans to establish - and be in control of - their own identities and their own histories. Roma Rights and Civil Rights is an excellent introduction to a topic that will be new to many.' Ian Hancock OBE, Eurasian Romani Academic Network 'This is the first book providing an in-depth legal, historical and cultural comparison and analysis of burgeoning Roma rights in Central and Eastern Europe and the more established (African American) civil rights movement. A wonderfully contextualized and much-needed intervention into an ongoing transatlantic dialogue on race, racialization, and racism.' Mathias Moeschel, Central European University 'A long overdue and fascinating comparative study of race, law, and culture.' Devon Carbado UCLA 'This long-awaited book connects the perspectives on, tactics of, and struggles for Roma rights in Central and Southeast Europe and civil rights in the United States. The diachronic comparison of racialized Roma and African American experiences enters into a dialogue to understand local histories and structural discrimination and exclusion. This book encourages us to build understanding and seek solidarities with other racialized groups to challenge violent social, political, and economic dynamics. Roma Rights and Civil Rights paves the way to create epistemic connections between Roma and African Americans.' Angela Kocze, Sociologist, Acting Chair of Romani Studies Program, Central European University