Gypsy children attending school since the collapse of communism has dropped dramatically. States no longer have the resources to create schools for Gypsy children and as a result the Gypsies are experiencing a shrinking middle class. "The shrinking Romani presence in higher education is also troubling, for it stifles the growth of the nascent Gypsy middle class and robs the Romani community of role models (Barany 146)." The increase in unemployment and decrease in education has led to rising levels of crime in Czechoslovakia. From 1989-1993 crime in Czechoslovakia rose 30 percent and it was reported that the Gypsies were responsible for 20 percent of all crime committed. This is a rather large number considering that the Gypsy population only makes up one tenth of the population in Czechoslovakia. The Velvet Divorce in January created more problems for the Gypsies of the Czech lands. The separation of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia created many inequalities among the Gypsies of their prospective areas. Many Gypsies migrated from Slovakia to the Czech Republic after the divorce because of the success of the economy and treatment of the Gypsies. But, the high increase of immigrants into the newly formed Czech Republic caused the government to enforce strict citizenship laws that do not protect the Gypsies that are not Czech citizens. This has led to widespread discrimination even within the Gypsy population. Another problem that the Gypsies have faced in the transition to democracy is the emergence of extreme nationalism that has made the Gypsies targets of violence. "Across the region, 'skinheads' and ordinary citizens have killed dozens of Roma and burned down hundreds of their dwellings, in many cases under the eyes of indifferent police authorities(Barany 146.)" The creation of democratic rights such as freedom of speech, and political activism have led to the discrimination of Gypsies in former Czechoslovakia. T...
