Name Change for Gypsy Robe Ceremony

Oh brother! Talk about asinine and absolutely over the top "PC" - I mean WTF. Go ahead destroy the true meaning of the ceremony. It will always be known as the gypsy robe no matter what you call it...Snowflake Cape Ceremony, Ultra-sensitive Garment Give away - sad. Just stupid and waste of time and brain cells. But hey, I am surprised they don't go further and make sure everyone in the show receives a robe so that no one's feelings are hurt or that they feel slighted. Just BS.

Jesus. I knew a post like this would be coming in the next few minutes. Have fun continuing to rant about this while the world moves on. To think that you would call people "ultra-sensitive" or "asinine" for this, when you yourself just had the most childish tantrum on a message board over something that will have literally no negative effect on your life. To think that someone could be so lacking in self-awareness is astounding.

Never mind that the word is literally a racial slur - anything to protect the frustrated white people clinging to their comfortable ways.

Also hilarious to think that the "true meaning" of the ceremony would somehow be ruined by making the name less offensive but keeping the practice exactly the same. The true meaning of the ceremony is about community, inclusion, and respecting people's experiences and history.

Updated On: 4/18/18 at 02:38 PM

JBroadway said: "Jesus.I knew a post like this would be coming in the next few minutes. Have fun continuing to rant about this while the world moves on.To think that you would call people "ultra-sensitive" or "asinine" for this, when you yourself just had the mostchildish tantrum on a message boardover something that will have literally no negative effect on your life. To think that someone could be so lacking in self-awareness is astounding.

Never mind that the word is literally a racial slur - anything to protect the frustratedwhite people clinging to their comfortable ways.

Also hilarious to think that the "true meaning" of the ceremony would somehowbe ruined by making the name less offensive but keeping the practice exactly the same."

YUP!

behindthescenes2 said: "I want to know just how many gypsies you might know in real life."

First of all, I know a few Roma people. And even if I didn't, why should it matter? They exist in this world, and they have made it clear they don't like the word "gypsy." Why do you only care about people you know?



"It is a reference to constant movement from place to place or show to show as it were"

Yes, it is. The problem here isn't that people are using it as a racial slur. The problem is that the word simply IS one, and using for other purposes (while not as bad as using it as a slur) still demonstrates a lack of care toward the word's racist history.



"I am self-aware enough to know when I see a ruse and a false pretense of good works or actions."



This narrative you've created about pretense is something that you've constructed to protect yourself from the discomfort of having to change your ways. You tell yourself that they don't really mean it so that you can feel good about ignoring social justice issues. It may come as a surprise, but some people ACTUALLY care about the plight of marginalized people. Some people actually care about people besides themselves.



" you point the finger of just how horrible white people are when there is really no solid foundation for this stupid gesture."



How about centuries of persecution, racism, genocide, to name a few? How about all the racism that still occurs today? How about the fact that so many white people like yourself refuse to listen when you are told that your actions are hurtful? How about the privilege that white people experience that allows them to ignore problems in the world, and get mad at people who don't ignore them?



Whatever, you'll not be satisfied until every bit of discussion you don't like is silenced, which is a sad state of mind.

We're having a discussion right now. You made your points, I argued against them, then you argued against mine, and now I'm arguing against your.



"You are free to your opinion but you don't have a right to say that I am not able to express my own."



Agreed. I just think your opinion is disgusting and pathetic, and so I'm voicing that opinion.



The word is the meaning in this ceremony and is not a damning of a population or Romani peoples, but you don't get it

I get that. But words carry power and they carry historical baggage. and the fact (not opinion - FACT) is that Romani people find it hurtful when the word is used - even to mean other things. And that is their right - who are you to disagree with them?



This is the last post I'm going to make in this thread. I'm sure you'll be delighted to respond to this post and get the last word - so I'll give you that. As you say, life's too short.

this is incredibly laughable and ridiculous. The pc and sj warriors are on the march! Where will they strike next while Rome burns around them?

So many snowflakes here upset about the change of a name that many have described as offensive. Good on Equity!

Ever since hearing about Romani people's experiences with the g-slur and the continuing racism they face, I've been uncomfortable with how it is used in american theatre.

It's difficult, because to my knowledge there are very few Romani people in North America, and the word has grown into its own meaning, and a meaning that isn't really negative at all. To most people in North America, the word has connotations of travelling, of wonder, of loving life. I can understand someone who hasn't been exposed to the concerns feeling surprised and upset at the suggestion that it's harmful.

But that doesn't change the history of the word, nor how it's used today against Romani people. And at the end of the day, I think we do need to prioritize the feelings and experiences of Romani people over theatre traditions, no matter how well loved. Traditions grow and change and reflect the world we live in. It's time for a new word.

I am happy that this has spurred the discussion, and that is my last thought on the subject from the desk that, according to some, issues pathetic and disgusting opinions. A statement that doesn't achieve anything except make the source feel better and vindicated, but not necessarily valid or correct.

Equity isn't saying what YOU can say on your own time. They are deciding what THEY say. This literally affects no one except now it will be the "Chorus Robe" or something.

I can't believe how hard our lives are that we have to change a single word to make a world of difference to people who have been hurt by that very word. Like when a boy you know asks to go by female or gender neutral pronouns. So offensive of them to not compromise their identity for my convenience...

Dainty June Robe