| Abstract [eng] |
The name of this master thesis is “Representations of the Roma ethnic group in the discourse of integration in Lithuania in 2015–2020”. While the scope of conducted research in Lithuania in regards to questions of discrimination and social exclusion is rather wide, the discourse of the Roma integration lacks deeper insights into not only the viability and benefit of the integration methods, but also the world the discourse has constructed. Therefore, this thesis aims to explore what kind of representations of the discourse of the Roma integration are created in Lithuania. The sources used in this thesis were Roma integration methods, implemented in 2015-2020. It can be observed that, within the timeframe of the research, the number of projects about social inclusion has increased and the communication and availability of them has also improved. During the research, main Roma representations in the integration discourse were highlighted using the method of critical analysis. Consequently, a secondary question was posed - are there links between said representations and existing stereotypes about the Roma community? During the research, the following representations of the Roma ethnic group in the integration discourse were found: the Roma as “others”; the Roma as a challenge; the Roma as victims of circumstances; the Roma as Lithuanian citizens; the Roma as a (self-) isolated group; the Roma as an oppressed group ; the Roma as an exotic group. In the discourse of integration, the Roma representations as “others”, as a challenge and as an exotic group are most prevalent. It is possible to state that the system of representations in the discourse of integration rivals the established stereotypes about the Roma. They correspond to the society’s prejudice while providing an opportunity to the Roma to adapt to the current norm in the social sphere. There are no strictly positive or negative meanings and the majority of representations fight the stereotypes, yet not on a deep level. The representations in the discourse of integration do not decrease the exclusion between the Roma and the non-Roma. The former are still considered as “others”, inefficiently skilled to independently enter the life of Lithuanian society, thus they need to be helped. The non-Roma are seen as better and more powerful in this position, from which a patronising perspective towards the Roma ethnic group is projected even in the process of integration. Therefore, it is possible to state that the representations of the Roma found during this research do not counteract the existing stereotypes - the Roma are indeed still others. While generally discussing the real picture the discourse of the integration is creating, the name „Padėk pritapti“ (“Help to adapt” in English) can be emphasised, as it illustrates the regime of the discoursive integration rather well. The aim to adapt and “pull” the Roma towards the current norm in the social sphere correlates with how non-conformed to the majority they are. At the same time, the possibility of adaptation as becoming is implied, meaning that becoming full and equal Lithuanian citizens is only possible for the Roma once they have conformed to the current life practises of the majority. It can be observed that the discourse of integration in Lithuania is hardly different from other countries - the burden of adaptation is placed on the shoulders of the Roma. In the discourse of integration, the Roma are kept at the edges of Lithuanian society, thus in this case, the inclusion marks a latent line on the ethnic grounds which is thought to also stipulate the social exclusion. When the said line in the discourse of integration is crossed, it may lead to the possibility of gaining a social status. |
