Here a Roma kid is eager to show off his biking skills. More commonly known as Gypsies, the Roma people prefer the latter title and consider the name "Gypsy" to be offensive. They originated from India around 1000AD and began spreading throughout Europe at that time. We've encountered them ever since we arrived here (Drew claims he played music with them even before we left India). They have been the victim of prejudice and discrimination since they arrived in Europe. Roma often sequester themselves from the rest of the population and many of their children are not sent to school and they resist efforts to integrate them with the rest of society just as they resist efforts to treat them badly. They used to roam freely across borders and lived itinerant lives, but now many have settled in slum-like conditions across much of Europe.
