‘I pretended I wasn’t Roma to avoid being pointed out’

Roma student Daniel Bunda talks about discrimination, role models, changes,and more.

Related: Main story I Podcast I Short I Glossary
Roma student and volunteer Daniel Bunda is the latest guest on the Bringing World to the Classroom podcast. Roma student and volunteer Daniel Bunda is the latest guest on the Bringing World to the Classroom podcast. (Source: TASR)

When studying in primary school, one of Daniel Bunda’s teachers labelled him as ‘black’ and ‘Italian’.

The Roma student and volunteer explains what discrimination looked like in his case, why calling Roma people ‘gypsies’ should be avoided, and more.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Two years ago, Bunda - a recent LEAF Academy graduate - also talked to the United Nations about the need for inclusion of the Roma in Slovakia, saying the country is as powerful as its weakest element in society. So, have things changed in this regard?

SkryťTurn off ads

Listen to Bringing World to the Classroom to find out what should, in Bunda’s opinion, change to really help the Roma minority.

EXAM TOPIC: Human relationships

Other study materials:

Roma people targeted by hoaxes during a pandemic Read more  Glossary: Slovaks must see diversity positively to prosper Read more  Slovaks have not fully embraced diversity yet Read more 


The Spectator College is a programme designed to support the study and teaching of English in Slovakia, as well as to inspire interest in important public issues among young people.

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad