### Discrimination in Slovak Housing Ads: A Call for Change
**Advertising platforms** are meant to connect people with opportunities, yet in Slovakia, they are becoming a battleground for discrimination. *Romani individuals* are facing blatant exclusion in housing advertisements, with phrases like **“Gypsies need not apply.”** This disturbing trend is not just a hint of bias; it’s an open declaration of unwelcomeness that permeates the digital space.
#### The Unacceptable Norm of Discrimination
Being Romani now equates to being deemed **undesirable** solely based on one’s ethnicity. **Your name or skin color** can be the sole reason for being denied a basic need—*a roof over your head*. The normalized phrases like, **“The apartment is no longer available”** often cloak underlying prejudices. Landlords frequently admit biases, claiming, **“The neighbors don’t want it.”** This form of discrimination is not new; it bleeds from **online interactions** into real-life experiences.
### Addressing a Human Rights Crisis
The core of the issue is a fundamental question: **For whom are we building this society?** When discrimination becomes a mere footnote in rental ads, we lose sight of our collective humanity. Housing is not a luxury—it’s a **fundamental right**, essential for **dignity** and **freedom**.
#### Specific Instances of Discrimination
##### Roma Need Not Apply
In a **classified ad** on the Facebook group *Bývanie Košice*, the phrase **“Roma need not apply”** illustrates a stark rejection of an entire ethnic group. Such language eradicates the individual worth of hundreds of people, for whom housing is a basic necessity.
*Source: Sára Danielová*
This blatant exclusion often goes unchallenged, highlighting a concerning trend where discriminatory practices become ingrained in society.
##### Exclusion in Housing Advertisements
Another telling example emerged from an advertisement in Ružomberk that stated, **“Please, Roma, don’t write us!”** This blatant exclusion epitomizes hate speech and violates anti-discrimination laws.
*Source: Sára Danielová*
By openly marking *Romani* individuals as undesirable, such ads normalize hate and discrimination.
#### The Burden of Proof on the Romani Community
The statement, **“This property is not appropriate for Roma,”** not only conveys bias but also forces **Romani individuals** to prove their worthiness for basic rights. This dehumanizes them and frames them as an intrinsic problem—a perception that is morally and legally unacceptable.
* “No real estate offices, no Roma”—this is the chilling condition set forth by a landlord in Myjava. This rhetoric—excused by prior experiences or neighbor sentiments—merely legitimizes [discriminatory practices](https://www.romea.cz/en) and reveals the deep-rooted anti-Romani sentiment pervasive in society.
### The Consequences of Systematic Discrimination
It is essential to recognize that this kind of **exclusion** serves as a **systematic barrier** against Romani people in the housing market. Why does this matter?
1. **Violation of Anti-Discrimination Laws**: These practices breach legal protections meant to safeguard individuals against discrimination.
2. **Marginalization**: Romani individuals are excluded from public spaces even before they can express their interests.
3. **Normalization of Hatred**: This language presents continuous hatred as a norm, paving the way for systemic racism.
4. **Invisible Barriers**: Such advertisements create an **invisible wall** that keeps Romani people out of society.
#### **The Key Takeaway**
Discrimination found in **Facebook ads** highlights a crucial issue that demands urgent attention. The language used in these advertisements is not merely reflective of personal bias; it symbolizes a broader societal trend that warrants collective action.
As Mgr. **Sára Danielová**, a doctoral student at the University of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Slovakia, articulates, “If the digital and physical environments foster true collaboration, we must question who we are creating space for in this society.” Without addressing these injustices, we jeopardize not just the rights of the *Romani community*, but the integrity of our society as a whole.
### Engaging in a Dialogue for Change
It’s time we amplify the call for action. Communities must confront these discriminatory practices head-on and affirm the **right to housing for all**, regardless of ethnicity. **Awareness is the first step toward dismantling systemic discrimination.** Let’s make housing fair and accessible for everyone.
