User blog comment:Samwysesr/Ethnic Identity/@comment-5454132-20160914164929

AnnabellRice, for some reason I can't reply directly to your comment. Yes, since the characters refer (or have referred) to themselves in such a manner, it is acceptable, however I have to add for clarification sake that not many ethnic Romani in this day and age would ever refer to themselves in such a way. Despite what people see on those horrid TLC programs, the word is extremely offensive to the majority of us, reminding us of centuries of slavery, discrimination, oppression and being exoticized. Personally the only time I consider it acceptable is as a last resort when explaining what Romani is—because most people automatically go 'Oh, so you're Romanian?' not realizing the difference between ethnicity and possible country of origin. Unfortunately, most people have no idea what a Roma talking about when they say Romani, so after five minutes of trying to explain it's easier to heave a big sigh and say 'G*psy, you know what that is, yes?', if that makes sense.