Where Did We Come From?

A kárvallott cigány ~ The injured gypsy (full size JPG)
by György Vastag (1886)


Did you notice that I used the Collective we?

"Is the usage of we suggestive of a reference of my cultural ancestor," you ask?

The answer is both no and yes.

The painting features at the top of this blog post is by the Hungarian painter György Vastag. Entitled The injured gypsy the title seems pretty self-explanatory. 

So, no. I am not a descendant from gypsies, at least that I know of. From the little I know my father's people were likely French and my mother's people were Irish. It explains a lot -- the appreciation of both fine food and wine, and a willingness to get into a scuff when necessary.  

What about you?

Although I have no idea of your ancestor, we are alike. We have, like the subject of Vastag's painting, at times been sojourners. All of us. Some still are.

Uganda offers hope, opens border for thousands fleeing violence in DRC.
Source: UNHRC [more...] Date: July 1, 2020

The hardships that displaced persons and many migrants face today can be terrible. I'm sure that in the past it was much the same. But our ancestors persevered. If they hadn't we would not be here today.

Today, perhaps more than ever in the human story, we are attentive to our differences.  


 

  





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