I'm Lucía's father. I'm a Roma and all my ancestors were Roma. My great great grandmother came from the north of India. I was born in Spain, in the south, in Seville.
My parents (well, my father) worked with recycling scrap metal and cardboard. My mother helped him and took care of me and my other seven brothers and sisters. I was the oldest, so I had to grow up more quickly. Perhaps it's helped me understand the clues I need to live within a "payo" society.
It's still not easy for Roma people. I'm lucky because I have a job that I like (I'm an antique dealer) and I make enough money for my family to live quite well. I know of many Roma who are really poor. They are not as lucky as me and my close family. Apart from being poor, they're left out of payo society. Many payos still think that we are not really Spaniards, despite the fact that our ancestors came here in 1425!
Apart from Lucía, who is the youngest, I have three boys. They take good care of Lucía. She is at a difficult age, not only because she is a teenager, but more important, because she is Roma. We have a different idea from the payos of what a family means, and to us women and girls are valued above everything.
Lucía wants to study and, even, plans to go to University! She studies too much! We spoke to her about marriage, and we introduced a good Roma boy, from a good family, to her. She does not like him! Times have changed. My sisters accepted good advice from my parents!. Maybe I'm too easy going. We'll see. Lucia is still young and she may change her mind.
