ABSTRACT
The manipulation by societies in power of the identities of subordinate groups is achieved in many ways. One such way is through discriminatory legislation, such as that enacted against the Romani people in almost every land, including the United States. Another is through media representation, both factual and fictional. This last category, the portrayal of Gypsies in poetry, film, and novels, is the most effective in establishing such negative feelings because they are absorbed subliminally by children and adults.
