Roma people : are discriminatory attitudes natural?

The famous French philosopher Voltaire once wrote that ‘those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities’, and it is in the context of this quote that this chapter is written. Throughout history, we have witnessed the various ways in which hate speech and prejudice have been used to justify atrocious acts. Whilst for some, a misguided belief means that these outrages are contained in the pages of history, it is important for students and early career social workers to acknowledge the fact that society continues to believe absurdities, and that these belief systems can be reflected in the various ways that some think, feel and behave. In order to advance an understanding of the relationship between absurd belief systems and the opportunity for atrocious acts further, this chapter focuses specifically on the position of Roma people. As a much maligned and misunderstood community, they remain victims of hate speech, racism and them most extreme forms of hostility. In order to reduce the risk of social work practice colluding with this prejudice, this chapter will explain why a sustained effort must be made to critically reflect on the absurdities that might be believed, including how these belief systems might determine poor social work practic