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Under the Radar: The Roma People of Wichita, Kansas

Under the Radar: The Roma People of Wichita, Kansas. Lou Saadi, Ph.D. Kansas NAPHSIS Annual Meeting, 2007 Salt Lake City, Utah. The Flag of the Romani People. Romani People. Typically called Roma , or Gypsies

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Under the Radar: The Roma People of Wichita, Kansas

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  1. Under the Radar: The Roma People of Wichita, Kansas Lou Saadi, Ph.D. Kansas NAPHSIS Annual Meeting, 2007 Salt Lake City, Utah

  2. The Flag of the Romani People

  3. Romani People • Typically called Roma, or Gypsies • Called Gypsies from the mistaken idea they originated in Egypt when actually genetic evidence places Roma ancestors in India • Semi-nomadic lifestyle (remember the movies??) begun around 1050 AD due to persecution; now Roma have more permanent residences • Discrimination, persecution and segregation continued even until modern times—1970s

  4. Demographics • Over 8 to 10 million Romani people in the world • Approximately 1 million in the US • Typically marry at a young age, most in the US are Catholic, list race as White, ethnicity as Romanian or Egyptian; education lower than 8th grade; young people start work early in life • Occupations listed as homemaker, laborer, car salesman, etc. • Divided into several regions within the country • Each region has a “King” as leader • Usually function with cash economy and avoids all forms of documentation or identity

  5. Vital Records meets Roma • Federal requirements that all citizens must show proof of identity before acquiring Medicaid, Medicare and other social services caused the Roma leadership in Wichita to request assistance. • Individuals report all children were born at home---NOT. • Little written documentation available.

  6. Investigations • Common names used by families—typically about 5 last names shared among all • OVS staff began interviews and acquiring names of children/adults needing certs • Mothers would list one name and signature would be another • Often give addresses for vacant lots as home address • Billing issues abound • One element always accurate: Date of birth

  7. Voila` • All recent births were captured by EBC. • Based on dates of births and common names, family identities were built and birth records pulled. • Most were documented this way. Some needed delayed birth process using church or school records, • All appreciative for OVS assistance.

  8. The Bottom line: The Vital Records mantra: “We get you coming and going” held true, even with those “under the radar”.

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