Racism as Common Sense: The Social Legitimization of Killing Roma

In “Racism as Common Sense: The Social Legitimization of Killing Roma,” Angela Kóczé investigates systemic Roma racialization in Hungary. Analyzing the 2008-2009 racial violence against Roma, she exposes how this racialization, deemed “common sense” in a color-blind, neoliberal society, reinforces institutional racism and influences Roma’s social perception. She suggests that the narrative of the dangerous “other” justifies violence against Roma, highlighting continued societal indifference to Roma’s humiliation, denigration, and dehumanization. Kóczé argues that European states are neglecting the deteriorating living conditions and intensifying social problems Roma face. She also points out the failure of human rights discourse and equality policies in addressing the invisible structural and cultural racial violence against this community.