Not Even For A Minute || Poussey Washington Imagine *Requested*
Summary: Poussey has a crush on the reader and thinks she doesnât like her back, but she does.
Pairing: Poussey Washington x Reader
Warnings: Fem!reader, lewd language/comments, language, reader doesnât have a preferred sexual orientation, use of R slur, angst, fluff
A/N: Holy shit! This is my first piece of writing in actually only a couple of months, but Iâm claiming years because I am officially back like I was in high school. Iâm so sorry if this is not my best, I am EXTREMELY rusty, so take it easy on me for now :)Â
It was dinner time at Lichfield and it was only my second meal in my new home. My new home filled with almost 200 other women. For the next 5 years, I will see the inside of this cafeteria 3 times a day, 21 times a week, 1,095 times a year and a whopping 5,473 times in total. Youâre probably wondering why that matters, but it matters.
I take my tray and do a quick search for a place to sit. I find a spot at the very end of one of the middle tables. It was the only seat with no one in a two foot radius of me. I sit down and look at the food in front of me. My first dinner includes spaghetti, two mini oranges, a salad, and a brownie. Itâs not horrible when you think about it. Itâs a pretty standard meal. Well it would be without the questionable odor coming from the meatballs. I close my eyes and sigh.Â
âMaybe sheâs deaf.â
âShe ainât deaf.â
âHELLO!â
âShe canât hear you if sheâs deaf, dummy.â
âFine, then you try, Angie.â
I was so deep in my own world that I almost didnât notice the cherry tomato that hit me in my head.Â
âHey, girl!â
I opened my eyes and looked to my left.
âAre you talking to me?â I asked with a hint of a nervous tone.
âUh yeah, have been for the last 5 hours. You retarded or something?â
â5 hours ago? No that canât be right. Remember, we was in the laundry room 5 hours ago, Tucky.â
âJesus, Angie! I was being snide.â
âYou mean sarcastic?â
âSnide means sarcastic.â
âThen why not just say sarcastic?â
I watched as âTuckyâ closed her eyes and tilted her head in annoyance.
âIâm sorry, but did you guys need something?â
Tuckyâs eyes snapped open, âUh, yeah. Whyâre you sitting here?â She took her bottom lip into her mouth as she waited for my response.
âOh, Iâm sorry. I didnât know anyone was sitting here.â
âShe never said that,â Angie said while flashing her pearly browns.
âIâm confused.â
âWow maybe she really is retarded,â Angie said.
âTuckyâ nodded at Angie, âI think youâre right, Ang. Here, Iâll break it down real slow like for you: You donât belong here.â
âLook, I donât want any trouble. Just let me finish my dinner and Iâll never sit with you again.â I tried to reason with the little troll, but she just wasnât having it.Â
She nodded her head while picking up her milk carton. She then poured it all over my food. âSeems to me like youâre done.â
All I could do was stare with my mouth open.Â
âWhy did you do that?!â
âBECAUSE YOU DONâT BELONG HERE!â She screamed as she stood up and let one of her fist hit the metal table.
âDogget! Youâre done! Empty your tray.â A CO finally intervened from the next row over. Dogget and her Meth Mates got up from the table and walked out.Â
All I could do was sit there with my head hanging low as I let a few tears escape. Iâm not usually this weepy, but in my defense, all I wanted was that little brownieâŚwhich was now swimming in a pool of used milk.Â
*A few tables over*
âFuck was that about?â Poussey asked her family as she nodded her head over to the other table; finally arriving with her tray.Â
âMmmm, Meth Mouth and her cult were fuckinâ with one of the newbies,â Janae replied in the middle of finishing her bite.
Poussey hovered over her chair to get a good look at the bothered inmate and sat back down while shaking her head.Â
After having a mini pity party for myself, I got up and dumped my spoiled tray before leaving the cafeteria. I go back to my temporary bunk and buried myself under my blanket.Â
âCheer up, Kid. Youâll be out of here sooner than you know.â
I gave a pitiful grin to the nice older woman.
âI like your eyeshadow.â
âDuh,â she said as she threw me a wink. Â
I let out a sigh, got comfortable and laid in my bed until morning.
I finally fell asleep, but only for 2 hours. At the ass crack of dawn, I was woken up by the morning announcement, which had absolutely no enthusiasm. âGood morning, ladies. Try to seize the day. The world is your oyster.â
âYouâd think sheâd quit if she hates her job so much.â That was the first time I heard the redhead with the horrible bed head speak.
âBell is about as enthusiastic as a wet bag of hair, but sheâs one of the good ones.â
âIâll keep that in mind,â she said groggily. Â
âYou joining us for breakfast?â
I drifted back to sleep before I could hear her response. I woke up in what seemed like an hour, but was only 30 minutes. For the slightest second I forgot where I was. I opened my eyes and was met with DeMarco standing right in front of me.
âWell good morning sleepyhead! Nice of you to join the living.â
âWhat? What time is it?â
âYou see a clock in here? What I do know is that you got 10 minutes left for breakfast. You better hurry.â
I hop down off my bunk and start to change.
âThanks.âÂ
âYou donât talk much, do you?â
I gave her a shrug as I zipped up my jacket and headed for breakfast. I arrived in the cafeteria and was able to get my food right away since there was no line. Some tables are still filled, but some are also empty. I scan the room and pick the table farthest away from Doggett and her followers. I was in the middle of eating my eggs when Angie walked by and sneezed on my tray.Â
âOops, âscuse me,â she said with a shit eating grin.
âGod damnit,â I whisper to myself while trying not to deck this bitch.
âYou shouldnât say the Lordâs name in vain like that.â
I look up at her through hooded eyes, âWalk the fuck away.â My voice was low and I kind of scared myself.
âOooo, devil eyes. Hey! Sheâs got devil eyes,â she says louder than the first time, except now sheâs giggling and pointing at me while backing away. Doggett sucks her bottom lip at me while flipping her hood and getting up to walk out. I can feel people starring so I do a very quick observation and then stand up to leave.Â
âEmpty your tray,â the guard at the door told me. âGet some coffee while youâre at it. Itâll help you stay full until lunch.â
 I look up at his name thatâs stitched into his shirt. Ohhhh, so this is OâNeil. I heard some of the girls talking about his scandalous relationship with CO Bell. Good for them. I turned around and went to dump my tray before following the advice and going for the coffee.Â
âYo, why they always fucking with her?â Poussey asked the table as she watched in disapproval as Y/N dumped her tray.
âWhy do you care?â Taystee asked while rolling her eyes.
âFor real? You ainât notice that ever since China got out, Prince Charming over here been lookinâ for a new helpless, basket case? I mean, shit.â
âAye donât talk about Brook like that. Not cool, Cindy.â
â âCindyâ? Bitch, fuck you think you is? My mama? Ugh, check ya tone.â
âWhatever man. Iâm just tired of seeing Meth Madness fuck with people like they run the place.â
âAgain, why do you care?â
âShit just ainât right, is all.â
âMmmhmm,â Taystee replied as they got up from the table.
I turn around after filling my mug and notice that itâs just me, the inmates that clean up and the COâs supervising them. I carry my warm mug through the halls and I notice thereâs not as many people crowding them as there were last night.Â
âInmate! Where you are supposed to be?â
âUhm, Iâm not really sure.â
âWrong answer!â
âWrong?â
âDonât get smart with me. Jefferson! Tell inmateâŚY/L/N where sheâs supposed to be.â
âWell, since itâs after lunch, weâre supposed to be headed to our work detail. Not whatever you was doing, apparently.â
The tall guard with the creepy mustache looked down at me and raised his eyebrows.
âThank you, Jefferson.â
âI donât have a work detail yet.â
He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opens them he looked back at Jefferson, âyou work in the library, right?â
âYeah.â
âTake her with you.â
She sucked her teeth, âMan, what do I say when someone asks why sheâs there? No offense, but I ainât taking no shots just because sheâs somewhere sheâs not supposed to be.â
âWhatâs a shot?â
âJesus fuck. Will you both get out of my goddamn sight?âÂ
He snatched my mug; Jefferson and I gave each other a look and started towards the library. When we got there it was almost empty.
âYou know, the labels are there to help the books be put back in their respectful place, not to look cute. I mean, damn.â I notice Jefferson chuckle at the girl we hear before seeing. Sheâs talking to a pair of inmates who are whispering to each other before tossing another book down and scurrying off.Â
âAre you fucking kidding me?!â she calls after them, but to no avail. She sighs to herself before returning back to work.Â
âHey, P! Whatchu up to?â
âPractically cleaning up behind bitches. I mean, why is it so hard to put a book back in its original spot? Jane Eyre belongs in literature, not SAT Prep,â she called back.
âTruly first world problems,â Jefferson said unamused.
âYooo, you ever heard of âOedipusâ? Itâs mad crazy. Like this one part where the main dudeâŚâ she kept talking as she rounded the corner to finally come face to face with us.
ââŚwhoâs this?â
âOur puppy dog for the day,â Jefferson said as she rolled her eyes.
âOh alright then. Well Iâm working over here in history. Yâall can start in fiction. Itâs a fuckin mess over there.â
âUm, then why donât we all work in fiction?â
âDid you not hear me say itâs a fuckin mess? Have fun.â
I walked away, smiling to myself. I didnât think anyone here would care for books like I did.
After the work day was over, I separated from the two friends and went back to my temporary bunk until dinner. The next day I followed Jefferson back into the library.
âOh, puppy dog is back.â
Jefferson turned her head to me, âDonât you know when you gettin your work detail yet?â
âSorry, still no.â
âAs much as Iâm sure you love the view you get, Iâm gettin tired of you following me.â
âI can ask someone if I can work somewhere else.â
âT-ha! And make me look like a problem? I think not.â
âNah, we could use the extra help in here since bitches canât put shit back where itâs supposed to go. Hate to break it to yâall, but foreign language is even worse than fiction was.â
âMy god. Canât you help us over here instead of doing whatever it is the fuck you doin?â
âUh no.â
âWhy not?â
âBecause Iâm President of the Library.â
âSays who!?â
âSuzanne,â she said as a matter of fact while leaning forward to show us her ID that read âPresident Washington: Libraryâ.
âAw damn. Itâs official and everything. Man, thatâs some bull shit,â Jefferson said as she walked away.
All I did was look at the Presidential badge and smile.
âSince you donât complain like some people, just know youâre first in line for Vice President. Just donât tell Taystee,â she told me on the sly.
âTaystee?â
âJefferson.â
âOhh, got it.â
âIâm Poussey, by the way,â she said extending her hand.
âY/N. Nice to meet you.â
âYeah you too.â
She has a beautiful smile.
Towards the end of the work day, I found myself near Pousseyâs section. Since our work for the time being is pretty much done, I start to browse the shelves when I spot a book dear to my heart, âAlice in Wonderlandâ. I get a mini rush of serotonin and pop a squat up against one of the shelves. I lose track of time, until I realize I no longer see anyone. âImagination is the only weapon in the war against realityâ. You are right about that, Mr. Carroll.
âHello?â Iâm immediately startled. I start to shuffle to my feet and by the time I stand, Iâm met with someone else.
âWhoa, shit. My bad. I didnât think anyone else was in here.â Shit, I mustâve I said that out loud.
âSorry, I guess I lost track of time.â
âItâs cool. So you havenât been assigned a work duty yet, huh?â
I shook my head.
âI, uh, I must admit that this is the best job. Call me bias, but itâs the truth.â
âThanks,â I say with a slight smile.
âYouâre the one Pennsatucky and her crew keep messing with.â
âYeah, thatâs me.â
âYâall got beef on the outside or something?â
âNo, but I found itâs better to not provoke a methed out mental case.â
âNot wrong there. Well, Iâll see you around. Oh and be careful with Alice, sheâs my favorite.â
The next few days were the same. I would follow Taystee into the library and listen to her and Poussey be absolute clowns. Poussey and I got to be closer since we were usually the last two to leave. We talked about how much time we have, our family, and she even told me about the Vee drama. During my stint of unpaid work in the library, I was finally able to change out of the highlighter jumpsuit and into a khaki set.
After an hour or so into a shift, I found myself distracted with my favorite book, âIn Five Yearsâ.
âOh uh, that goes on the second to last shelf right behind you.â
âHuh? Oh yeah. It was actually already in the right spot, but itâs one of my favorites,â I tell her as I put the book back.
âWhatâs it about?â
âThis woman named Dannie-â
âY/L/N!â
We both looked towards the door and saw and the same pasty CO that sent me here.
âWith me.â
I gave Poussey a grin and walked towards the CO,
âWhere are we going?â
He didnât answer me and just kept walking. I followed him to a warehouse that smelled of Clorox and musty water.
âJanitorial. Your job assignment. Morello will fill you in on what to do.â
âOh yeah I can do that. No problem.â
The first couple of hours involved cleaning the halls, but I moved on to the Spanish bathrooms. Poussey was right, the library was the best job to have.
*A few weeks later at dinner
âI donât know why youâd let Edward Scissorhands cut your hair and not me.â
âBecause Danita only charges me a bag of Doritos. Not two cokes. Plus, she donât even ask for the Cool Ranch flavor!â
âBeggars canât be choosers. I do two cokes worth of work, Child.â
I laughed at Taystee and Sophia having their little banter in the food line. I walked with them to the table and sat down.
ââŚbut then the dragon realized the little ghost girl was friendly, even though she was cold as ice. Fire and ice, that would never work!â
âWhy not? What happened to opposites attract?â I ask sort of challengingly.Â
âMommy said ice is used to put out fires. Well, technically water is used to put out fires but ice is just water in solid form. So the fire would go out!â
âBut do you know what happens when fire and ice mix?â
âThe world goes dark?â
âNo. They make steam,â I gave Poussey a âsubtleâ smirk.
âMommy says steam is for showers, crab legs and âfun timesâ.
âI miss making steam with a fine gentleman with a curve on that dick.â
We all laughed along at what Cindy said and I agreed with her.
âThere are just some things your fingers canât accomplish,â I said jokingly while being serious. She pointed her fork at me, âI like her.â
Poussey was noticeably quiet throughout the rest of dinner. Only chiming in to seem interested. She didnât even finish her tray before she was dipping out.
âWait Iâll come with you.â
âNah, stay and eat. Iâll catch you later.â
âUh oh. Trouble is Lezzy Paradise?â
I almost didnât hear Cindy as I kept watching Poussey leave the cafeteria.
âStop it.â
Taystee rolled her eyes and shook her head.
For the next few days, it was hard to get ahold of Poussey. Since we knew each otherâs schedules, it was easy for her to avoid me.
Meals were no better. She made sure to get there early so by the time I was sitting down, she was done.
âAye, you need to fix that,â Janae told me with her eyebrow raised.
âI donât know what the problem is.â
âI know you are not that dumb,â Boo said as she sat across from me.
âSheâs kicking her own ass because she broke the #1 rule of being interested in pussyâŚâ she continued.
I looked at her as I was waiting for her to continue.
âNever fall in love with a straight girl!â
âLove? What-When did I say I was straight-â
âThe other night when that one was talkin bout curved dick and you chimed in basically foamin at the mouth at the thought,â Taystee said.
âNoooo, I was joking.â
âYeah well, apparently she donât know that.â I looked at Janae and sighed.
I had to wait until the weekend to see her. It was pouring rain and there was a leak in the library and the cleaning warehouse had a slight flood, so neither of us had work.
I snuck my way to her bunk only to discover her to not be there.
âThereâs only one place sheâd goâŚâ Janae told me.
I made my way down and opened the door.
She was right.
ââŚthere was another before you, but she got out. Thereâs a time machine in the laundry room. That was their place. Thatâs where she goes to think.â
âHowâd you find me?â
âYour bunkie.â
âWhat do you want?â
âWhatâs going on? Why are you being so weird?â
âI donât know what youâre talking about,â she said standing up.
âAre we not friends anymore?â
âFriends,â she said with a sarcastic chuckle.
âCan we please sit?â I gestured to the inside of her hiding spot. She backed up slightly to let me further in to the time machine and we both sat down. Neither of us said anything for a while until I did,
âIâm not gayâŚâ
She nodded her head with a sad smile on her face.
ââŚbut Iâm not straight either. Iâm just me. Iâve dated guys, Iâve had experiences with girls-â
âExperiences? But youâve never dated a girl?â
âNo, but for the past few weeks, Iâve really wanted to,â I said with a slight smile.
âWhy didnât you tell me?â
âBecause of this. I didnât want to say something stupid and mess this up. And because Iâve never dated a girl before, but I have dated guys, I didnât want you to think I was using you. I thought that because I donât identify as anything, you wouldnât like me back.â
âI thought you didnât like me.â
âI didnât want you to get hurt.â
âLook, I got my heart broken not too long ago by a girl that promised me forever. She didnât identify as anything either and she ended up falling in love with a dude when she got out. We were both in a dark place when we met and getting to know each other and eventually falling in love helped. I couldâve given up on love and fate, but I havenât yet. Look, maybe this-..this connection that we have, challenges what you thought you were. And maybe Iâm gonna get my heart broken in a thousand different pieces again. But those are maybes. You canât live your life according to maybes.â
The next few months were bliss. Poussey and I have connected on a level I didnât know was attainable.Â
Today is Valentineâs Day and right now weâre back in the time machine. Weâre both laying down, holding each other and looking up at the ceiling.Â
âItâs about a woman named Dannie whoâs this a high-powered corporate lawyer. Sheâs one of those types who has everything planned out. The story has a lot of twists and turns because her five year plan goes differently than she thought.â
âSo why is it your favorite if itâs so inconsistent? For a woman who knows what she wants âDannieâ sure seems okay with settling.â
âItâs my favorite because it mirrors me. It mirrors us. In five years I saw myself at some job a teenager would have with my only responsibility being my phone bill.â
âWhat do you see now?â
âI see me with our dog, Keith, holding signs with your dad on your release day. Then I see us heading to our apartment where you can see it for the first time in person. Then weâll go to our jobs, pay rent, and hound our parents for travel money.â
âIâm in your future?â
âYou are my future.â
She gave me a kiss when there was a bang on the cardboard door, âHey kids! Theyâre doing interviews in the bunks,â Boo informed us.
When we got to her dorm, there were a few guards asking ladies questions about love.
âDoes anyone else want to be asked questions?â
âYeah, I do,â Poussey said while raising her hand.
I feel Taystee put her elbow on my shoulder, âWhat the hell?â The rest of the family comes around.
âOkay Washington, what is love?â
âLove. Itâs just chilling, you know? Kicking it with somebody, talking, making mad stupid jokes. And, like, not even wanting to go to sleep, âcause then you might be without âem for a minute,â she looked at me, âAnd you donât want that.â
â˘taglist: @mina672
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King Of My Heart (Body And Soul)~ R. Lupin.
Chapter 1 -Â Stranger that I know.
Ootp! Remus Lupin x Sirius's sister!Reader
Synopsis: When James and lily died, and your brother was sent to Azkaban, Remus was the only person you have left. Until he left too. What happens when he returns after the events of Sirius's escape, only to find out you have a son? A son that's his.
WC: 817 words
Warnings: lots of italics, probably grammatical mistakes, kiss(es), might be ooc idk, child (?), fem reader, italics are flashbacks ( idk), love (ew), [ look at series masterlist for all content warnings]
A/n: bear with me on this one, it's rather short but it's to jumpstart the series so i can write the rest of the parts. If you like this, please reblog and comment! <3
Series Masterlist, Main Masterlist, Navigation
"When did you say they were arriving again?"
Your voice echoes through the walls of the kitchen at 12 Grimmauld place. you wipe down the kitchen counters as another smaller, more meek voice replies.
"Mum we talked about this" That's your son. Regulus.
After the event of your brother passing, you wanted to honour his name. Such a beautiful name it was. No matter how cruel the people to name him were.
"I know ,I just worry, what if they get lost? maybe they couldn't find the place? what if they got caught- " Your rambling was interrupted by your son once again.
"MUM! nothing is going to happen. Besides, he's your brother. And he has lived here before. You know him." Regulus reasoned, and frankly his reasoning was logical. you were just...paranoid.
You did however, leave out the fact that what truly made you nervous was Remus.
"Well i haven't for the past 14 years, Regulus." you replied, snappy, referring to sirius. Your impatience was nearly rivaling that of your son.
"when is it arrivingggg?" a voice full of exasperation nearly whines as the screeching sound of trolly wheels comes to a halt.
An eleven year old regulus rocks back and forth on the balls of his feet as he (claimed to) patiently wait for hogwarts express to make it's way into the platform.
A thirty three year old you bent down to brush away his untamed curls, sighing as you did so.
"It will arrive soon enough, dove. Calm down."
Your voice tried to reason but little regulus's patience was waning. You had never seen a kid be so excited at the thought of going off to boarding school. But you suppose watching his older brother Harry would have embedded him with some form of excitement for the school.
You would be lying if you said you werenât just as excited. It was your sonâs first day at school. Big boy wizarding school.You were excited to see your boy go to the place you first knew as home, meet your former professors, roam the halls that you did, and make friends.
You did not, however, expect his first friend to be Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy and your dearest cousin. In a way the two were cousins, they just didnât know it yet.
That summer, when regulus came back from Hogwarts, he had a plethora of stories to tell you. His rant began with his new friends, Draco, Blaise, Pansy and Theo, and ended with his defense against the dark arts professor, Remus Lupin.
Needless to say all colour drained from your face at the mention of him. Remus LupinâŚhow do you even begin to describe remus lupin?
Remus is pretty.Â
He is pretty like the sunrise in winter, when the sky is faded out and it's warm. Thats what you think as you sit on the roof of potter manor. Chatting, with hands occupied by, what you think is, beer in plastic cups. You felt giddy, perhaps it was the alcohol in your system. Or the gentle brush of his hand on your clothed thigh. You feltâŚin love. Somewhere along the way your innocent schoolgirl crush had become something more. You hoped it had been so for him as well.
âDoveâŚâ
His velvety voice catches your attention. You turn your head to him, only to see him still facing the sun. Youâre sure heâs seen your movement though, as he takes it as his que to continue.
Nothing. Nothing could brace you for the words that were to follow.
âI fancy you.â Your eyes widen.He continues.
âI have for some time now⌠I think you fancy me too? Not to- I- uhmââÂ
âI do.â you find yourself speaking.Â
That was your first of many kisses to come.
Just then, the sound of the doorbell catches your attention.
âThat must be themâ your son says, in a rather âi told you soâ tone.
You rush to wipe your hands on the kitchen towel and head for the door.
Taking a deep breath to brace yourself for whatâs probably Remus Lupin on the other side of the door, you pull it open with a creak.
Your eyes immediately find his.
And for a moment, you're fourteen again. Staring at the brown haired bloke across kings cross station, as he laughs with your brother. Mesmerized by his eyes, his nose, his lips, his scars. You knew that face all too well.
You blink and you're back at the doorway. Staring at those brown eyes, those eyes you knew...all too well.
"Remus.."
"Hi, love"
Taglist (open): @twilightlover2007 @idli-dosa
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Reblogging this because IMO itâs the most informative piece iâve ever written and needs more attention!
Hi! So I'm but sure if you've answered this before, I've just found your blog but find it interesting, especially since I'm trying to write stuff for Peaky blinders. I was wondering if you could tell me your take on the use of the word "gypsy" when writing. Because I know it is very controversial and a lot of people say not to use it because it's offensive. And I was just wondering if you could explain why, because I grew up in the US and am not really familiar with the culture and it wasn't really anything I grew up hearing about. So I was just wondering if your could maybe explain why people consider it a slur because I'm really am not sure. I don't want to me rude or anything it's just something I'm genuinely curious about. Because I've seen some people say they think it's offensive and some props say they think it's rude. I was also wondering your take on possibly using it in a Peaky blinders fic, because I think in the shot the Shelby's have use it a few times to describe themselves or when just they're being referenced or because I've heard it was used more in that time. And yeah. I know that was kinda ramblly and I'm not sure if it makes sense but I was just curious on your take about it. You totally don't have to answer though!!! Thanks for reading this!
Hey! I have answered this before, but I'm more than happy to answer it again so thank you so much for this question.
History lesson first:
The word "gypsy" has a few origins in relation to Rroma, so I'll go through the ones I know and work through them.
The first one I'm aware of is the idea Rroma individuals come from Egypt. Many were unsure of our origin but knew we had "strong" features and darker skin. These traits are due to us originating in South India. So the first meaning of the word I know us gypsies from Egypt, which is factually incorrect.
Another reason I'm aware of is the breakdown of the words - to gyp means to steal (or in some definitions to gamble). Throughout history, Rroma as a group were deprived of recourses. Many of us were involved in slavery in Eastern Europe for 400 years, and others were sold in the Atlantic Slave Trade to the Americas (leading to the group Afro-Romani).
If you deprive a group of people of the basic necessities to live, they're going to bargain to get them, maybe even steal. During these times in history, we were known for stealing food and fabrics from richer members of society. Therefore, gaining us the name "gypsies"
It's also important to factor in other ethnic groups that also use the name "gypsy" when in referral to themselves:
1-We have Irish Travellers, to start, who are not Rroma. Irish Travellers are from Ireland and are a whole other ethnic minority. People often confuse Irish Travellers with Rroma due to their similar nomadic lifestyle. Irish Travellers allow themselves to be called gypsies as it was a self-given title centuries ago, inspired by the Rroma definition of gypsy.
2-We also have English Travellers, who are often confused with Romanichal. In England, people are often confused with the difference between English Travellers and Romanichal - and so was I (in full admittance) when I began educating myself on the different types of travellers.
While there are marriages and cultural similarities between English Travellers and Romanichal, they're not at all genetically or historically linked. English Travellers come from Cromwellian times. The English Travellers also have their own views on the word gypsy, and doesn't have any historical nor offensive connections to them.
3-British Romany "Gypsies". British Romany Travellers are a very specific type of Rroma. British Romany Travellers have been in England since 1515 when Rroma began migrating to Europe after their migration from India. They're the descendants of Romany migrants who emigrated from India - therefore, the meaning of the word gypsy to them is in relation to the British's (is that a word?) idea of them coming from Egypt.
4-The Romanichal (Romanichal Travellers) are a Romani subgroup in England and other English-speaking countries. These are not English Travellers as they are descendants of the Rroma who once lived in India. Most Romanichal speak Angloromani - which is a mixed language that blends together both Romani vocabulary and English syntax.
There are around 400,000 Romanichal worldwide, 200,000 living in the United Kingdom, 164,000 living in the United States and the rest living in South Africa, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
5-Kale (Welsh Roma). The Kale are a group of Romani people in Wales and are often descendants of Abram Wood who was the first Rom to live in Wales in the 18th century. There are around 700-1,000 Kale members of society and speak their own version of Welsh Romani.
6-Romani (also spelt Romany or Rromani depending on where you come from). Romai people live in predominantly Europe and there are around 2-12million worldwide (shocking 10million confusion I know). The language you speak as a Romani person depends on where you live, where your ancestors lived etc as there are hundreds of Romani dialects.
NOW TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION!
The short answer to your question, which I probably should've put at the start and not the end, is please do not use the word gypsy when relating to travellers as for all "gypsy" groups there is a more specific name used in regard to them.
The word gypsy (also seen as gipsy) is rather ambiguous in dialect use as it doesn't specifically shown who you are in referral to. While some communities such as Irish and English travellers deem the word okay to use, the vast majority of the Rroma community do not.
The word gypsy in reference to the Romani community has connotations of illegality and is known as a racial slur. In 1971, the world Romani Congress unanimously voted to reject the use of the word gypsy due to the stereotypes associated.
The word gypsy was used against the Romani community during significant human parts of history - the Holocaust, the Romani slave trade and the Atlantic slave trade.
HOWEVER
It's also important to keep in regard the use of the word, are you using it to write an 1800s piece? Is your story or piece of text historically accurate, and to use the phrase "Romani People" would be historically inaccurate as that isn't what we were called then.
Are you writing a piece that highlights the issues behind the word, where you aren't calling Romani people it, but instead highlighting the wrong in it.
Are you taking from a place in the early 1900s where Romani people called themselves Romani gypsies because that was the official documentation name given to us.
In summary:
Please don't go about calling Romani people gypsies unless in a historically accurate context.
I spent 20 minutes typing on this post, so thank you so much! I may have to open a window and I'm sweating like a dog in heat and need a break. You definitely gave me a lot of talking points (lol oops), but thank you for that also. All in all, I hope your answer is somewhere in this mess. đ May you have a blessed day!
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