Al JAZEERA (4/2/2019)
Portugal’s ceramic frogs croak racism. Al Jazeera reveals racist practice that plays on superstition among Roma who
Porto, Portugal – Surrounded by baskets of oranges and tangerines, a bright green ceramic frog stands at the entrance of Helena Conceicao’s grocery shop.
“Everybody has frogs here,” she said. “It’s to scare away Gypsies because they are afraid of frogs.”
Similar ornaments have been placed at the entrance of shops, cafes and restaurants all over Portugal.
“No one likes to have Gypsies around,” said Conceicao.
She explained that she is aware that the Portuguese law forbids discrimination, “but I’m not forced to put up with people who steal and cause trouble”.
Ten shopkeepers in Porto admitted to using ceramic frogs to dissuade Roma from entering their shops. Only Conceicao agreed to go on record.
Others secretly recorded by Al Jazeera explained that the frogs were meant to show Roma people that “Gypsies are not welcome”, using language with deeply ingrained prejudice and racial slurs.
Video produced by AJ+ français
Na imprensa portuguesa:
RTP: Reportagem de Al Jazeera aponta racismo português contra ciganos
“A reportagem de Marta Vidal lembra que as comunidades ciganas existem em Portugal desde o século XV, mas apenas lhes foi reconhecida a nacionalidade em 1822.”
https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/reportagem-de-al-jazeera-aponta-racismo-portugues-contra-ciganos_n1127114