Research Research profile

From an analytical perspective, different levels and areas of antigypsyism research can be outlined. On the one hand, these include social and institutional practices, political patterns of behaviour and historical framework conditions. On the other hand, the ideological foundations of antigypsyism, the specifics of its prejudice structure and the complex genesis of ‘gypsy’ stereotypes need to be analysed. The research interest is particularly focussed on the multi-layered, interwoven media representations of antigypsyism in European cultural history, not least in popular culture. In addition, the emancipation and empowerment strategies of those affected and civil society institutions – as a reaction to the experience of antigypsyism – will also be examined. It goes without saying that these different levels (of analysis) interact in social or historical processes and must therefore be considered in their internal context. This applies in particular to the interrelationship between antigypsyist discourses and practices. By means of comparison and contextualisation, the paradigm of antigypsyism can contribute to research on racism and stereotypes, the role of nationalism and collective identity, as well as migration and social inclusion, and thus point beyond its subject – into the history and present of European diverse societies.

Due to its connection to the Department of History, the in-house research is primarily historically orientated. Historical antigypsyism research focuses on the complex lines of transmission of this phenomenon of power and violence and the associated social transformation processes. Continuities and changes in antigypsyist representations, patterns of thought and behaviour are examined across different epochs in order to get to the bottom of the mechanisms of antigypsyist prejudice formation and the social and institutional practices that derive from it.

Central to this is the question of the political, cultural or ideological functions of antigypsyism in different contexts. Particular attention is paid to the dynamic interrelationship between the image of the other and the self-image, i.e. the instrumentalisation of the construct ‘Gypsy’ for – for example national – concepts of identity or ideas of order. This always involves the experiences of people who are affected by stigmatisation, exclusion and persecution.

The following thematic focuses have emerged since our organisation was founded:

1. Visual antigypsyism (with a focus on film and photography)

   The multi-layered media representations of antigypsyism require a decidedly interdisciplinary approach. Mass media transmit and preserve ‘gypsy’ images over long periods of time and imprint them on the collective consciousness. In the 19th and 20th centuries, visual media in particular played a decisive role in the shaping of ‘gypsy’ stereotypes and their social anchoring. In view of the unbroken power of visual representations, a critical approach to modern media (including film, photography, comics and digital games) is a central academic task, also with regard to social cohesion and the impending erosion of democratic values. The idea of transfer is central to this thematic focus. In cooperation with civil society actors and media institutions, media and film makers are to be sensitised to how racism is conveyed through established modes of representation in visual media. This means that our research in this area already incorporates issues relating to education and prevention.

2. Nazi genocide of the Sinti and Roma

   The Nazi genocide undoubtedly represents the deepest and most radical break in the history of the Sinti and Roma. Even though a differentiated body of research is now available on the history of persecution under National Socialism, the RCA recognises the great importance of this complex of topics by closing existing gaps and, above all, by focusing on questions relating to the institutional conditions and the European dimension of the genocide that have received less attention to date. To the present day, there is neither a large reference work that summarises the knowledge on the implementation of the genocide in Europe, nor fundamental individual monographs on the institutions leading the action ‘Reichszentrale zur Bekämpfung des Zigeunerunwesens’ and ‘Rassenhygienische Forschungsstelle’, which empirically substantiate and conceptually elaborate the analytical model of the ‘scientific-police complex’ developed by German historian Michael Zimmermann.

3. Continuities of antigypsyism after 1945

   The state and social actors of the young Federal Republic were united by a deeply rooted antigypsyism, which - in contrast to anti-Semitism - continued to guide their actions despite the new democratic beginning. As a socially isolated minority, the survivors of the Sinti and Roma were at the mercy of the power of interpretation of the former perpetrators, most of whom quickly found their way back into their professional positions. Central to research into antigypsyism after the genocide is the question of what continuities, but also what transformations and ruptures the prejudice complex was subject to during the transition from dictatorship to a liberal democratic society. In addition, the question must be asked as to what room for manoeuvre the new constitutional framework and, above all, the new constitution Grundgesetz opened up for the Sinti and Roma. In addition, the effects of political and social change processes on antigypsyism need to be analysed. How did the change from regulatory premises to welfare or integration concepts and later to recognition and minority policies take place? Which ‘Gypsy’ discourses characterised different phases in politics, authorities, society and science?

4. Emancipation and civil rights movements

   The broad understanding of the research concept of antigypsyism critique developed at the RCA also includes the attempts of those affected to counter their stigmatisation and discrimination by means of resistant, activist or emancipatory strategies – not least in order to illustrate the complex resilience inherent in structural racism against Sinti and Roma. Furthermore, it would be a one-sided perspective to view Sinti and Roma only as passive objects or victims of state measures: a danger that undoubtedly emanates from a narrow conception of antigypsyism research. A comprehensive academic perspective on the phenomenon of antigypsyism must take into account the tension that repeatedly emerges in academic and political debates between the functional-analytical focus on structures of prejudice and construction processes in the dominant society on the one hand and the examination of the experiences of discrimination of those affected by them on the other, and attempt to combine both approaches. Furthermore, this approach can make visible a part of German and European democratisation history that has hardly been considered by previous research.

5. Antigypsyism in popular culture

   Antigypsyist ideas are essentially characterised by popular cultures: literature, art, operas, video games and music often take up ‘gypsy’ figures and the stereotypes associated with them. In addition to analysing the content, contexts of origin, dissemination and reception of these images, the aim is to work out transmedial and cross-epochal continuities and transformations of both romanticising and racialising ideas. 

The research topic requires a self-reflective and critical perspective that is capable of constantly questioning and discussing its own positions – especially with those affected by antigypsyism and their self-organisations. Not least because of this, antigypsyism research clearly distinguishes itself from the essentialising and ahistorical interpretation patterns of traditional ‘gypsy research’ or tsiganology and also sees it as its task to critically examine the contribution of science to the persecution and discrimination of Sinti and Roma and to promote the participation of Sinti and Roma in the scientific community.