Czech Republic: Roma in Brno take to the streets to talk work

On 21 November, Romani residents were speaking face to face with people on the streets of Brno to tell them about the work they do. By wearing orange safety vests reading "We are working" and telling their personal stories to passers-by, those involved in the outreach are attempting to break down prejudices against Romani people.

In support of the mypracujeme.cz ("weareworking.cz") campaign implemented by the IQ Roma servis civic association, Romani residents decided to create a public "happening" in Brno, the country’s second-largest city. The "happening" was meant to emphasize that Romani people not only do work in the Czech Republic, but that they want to work.

During personal conversations with people on the streets, those involved in the "happening" handed out "work gloves" as promotional items to support it. Several dozen Romani people are involved in the campaign, residents who are not afraid to make their personal stories public and to attempt to break down prejudices against Romani people in Czech society. 

"We thank all the brave people who are telling their stories, not only because they are supporting the idea of this campaign, but also because they are motivating other brave people to join it," said campaign coordinator Martin Máša. A series of short video clips telling the "Extraordinarily Ordinary Stories" of Romani people as part of Czech society has also been produced to support the outreach effort, showing how Roma contribute to the creation of praiseworthy values.  

The first video clip tells the story of Ms Božena Horváthová, a nursery school teacher who has managed through her own hard work to move out of a Romani settlement, graduate from college, and own her own home. Another clip tells the story of Mr Michal David, a tram driver for the Brno Mass Transit Authority (both clips can be seen, in Czech only, at (http://www.romea.cz/cz/zpravodajstvi/domaci/romove-v-brne-my-pracujeme-a-chceme-pracovat).