Laura Angela Collins

Today is my grandmothers anniversary who sadly died as slave to a Magdalene laundry & put in a mass grave in cork. Rest in peace nana never to be forgotten. 🌷

The fight for accountability is far from over. It’s not just about acknowledging the past, it’s about ensuring this never happens again! #NoJusticeNoPeace breakingnews.ie/ireland/when-t…

A few people have asked me what I mean by Neo-Gypsylorist. I'm still a bit under the weather so asked AI to give a definition - which interestingly fits with my view of the term. See below. Neo-Gypsylorism is a term that builds on the concept of Gypsylorism, which historically refers to the romanticized, exotified portrayal of Romani (Gypsy) and Traveller communities, often by outsiders. While Gypsylorism emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries through literature, art, and early ethnographic studies—casting these groups as mysterious, free-spirited, or "noble savages"—Neo-Gypsylorism is a modern evolution of this mindset. It critiques contemporary attitudes that perpetuate these stereotypes, often under the guise of scholarship, cultural appreciation, or policy-making, while ignoring the lived realities of Romani and Traveller people. The "neo" prefix suggests a revival or adaptation of these older ideas in a new context, often tied to modern academic or institutional frameworks like Romani Studies. Critics argue that Neo-Gypsylorism manifests when researchers, policymakers, or activists—sometimes even with good intentions—focus excessively on romanticized cultural traits (like nomadism or folklore) rather than addressing systemic issues such as discrimination, poverty, or historical abuses. It’s seen as a subtle form of othering, where these communities are still framed as exotic or separate from mainstream society, rather than as fully integrated groups with agency and diverse experiences. In the context of Dr. Lynne Tammi-Connelly’s post about the Tinker Experiments, Neo-Gypsylorism might be linked to the alleged involvement of "Neo-Gypsylorist" members in a scrutiny panel. Here, it could imply that some panelists approached the investigation with a biased lens—perhaps prioritizing a sanitized or stereotypical narrative over the raw truth of historical atrocities like forced assimilation or child trafficking. This aligns with broader critiques in Romani Studies, where Neo-Gypsylorism is accused of sidelining subaltern voices (those of the Romani themselves) in favour of outsider interpretations, thus perpetuating power imbalances. In short, Neo-Gypsylorism is a critical term used to challenge modern-day romanticization or misrepresentation of Romani and Traveller identities, calling instead for perspectives that centre their own narratives and historical realities.

🌟 Championing Inclusion & Cultural Awareness 🌟 I offer training, consultancy, & resources to help organisations better understand and support Traveller and Romani communities. Together, we can break stereotypes and build a more inclusive future. 📩 Contact me to collaborate!

“Laura Angela Collins, CEO of Collins Cultural Consultancy , has criticised Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) recent apology for their treatment of Romany Gypsy and Traveller children.” travellerstimes.org.uk/news/2024/12/t…

“We are calling for a full investigation into these abuses and immediate changes to ensure our communities are treated with dignity, respect, and equality,” Collins added.” travellerstimes.org.uk/news/2024/12/m…

Stop Police Brutality Against Romany Gypsies, Roma & Traveller Communities London Protest 📅 Date: Saturday, 30th November ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM 📍 Location: Parliament Square, Westminster, London vm.tiktok.com/ZGdjNF9Nc/

The Manchester Evening News have quietly deleted the article which included a pole asking people if GMP were appropriate in their policing of Gypsy and Traveller youth. They should never have created a pole in the first place.

“It marks the start of a long-awaited process to retrieve the remains of 796 children who died in the former Bons Secours home for mostly unmarried mothers in Tuam. The religious-run institution operated between 1925 and 1961.” irishexaminer.com/news/arid-4152…

Stop Police Brutality Against Romany Gypsies, Roma & Traveller Communities London Protest 📅 Date: Saturday, 30th November ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM 📍 Location: Parliament Square, Westminster, London Event Facebook Page: lnkd.in/euaQ-ZKe

Romany Gypsies, Roma, Travellers, allies, and organisations committed to human rights and social justice—let's all come together this Saturday to stand in solidarity. 📅: Saturday, 30th November ⏰Time: 1:00 PM 📍: Parliament Square, Westminster, London eventbrite.co.uk/e/stop-police-…

Stop Police Brutality Against Romany Gypsies, Roma & Traveller Communities London Protest 📅 Date: Saturday, 30th November ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM 📍 Location: Parliament Square, Westminster, London Event Facebook Page: facebook.com/events/s/stop-…

On Saturday, 30th November, at 1pm, let's come together to peacefully protest in response to the shocking actions of Greater Manchester Police. Event Date & Time: 📅 Saturday, 30th November ⏰1:00 PM 📍Event Location: Parliament Square, Westminster, London.

“In the same week we launched our petition, an incident involving chef @jamieoliver highlighted why authentic representation and leadership from within communities are essential.” …linsculturalconsultancy.wordpress.com/2024/11/09/the…

Thank you to those among the Romany Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities who helped to collectively create this petition. Decisions about us need our voices. Support real representation—sign now. chng.it/qkJhgtLQLq

While the rise in Traveller & Romani students in higher education is positive, many still fear declaring their ethnicity due to stigma & discrimination. This reluctance may lead to underreported statistics, meaning the actual numbers could be even higher …linsculturalconsultancy.wordpress.com/2024/10/30/tra…

@ctcantwell 💯💐 xxx

@LauraAngelaCol1 Thank you Laura, I will always speak for my brother & his crib-mates, they deserve recognition without their story being diluted.

“Different survivors have different views”. The point is the children are not survivors. There is no substitute for their Truth, their justice. We should do everything we can to show how much we care. Survivors endorsing the development of housing on the site have been misled.