Around the globe, there is an estimated 2 - 5 million Roma around the world, with an estimated 1 million residing in the United States.

The Romani, discriminatorily known as "Gypsies" or "Tzigane", is an Indo-Aryan ethnic group that migrated from the northeastern Indian Subcontinent. for nearly 600 years, the Romani have faced hardship in the form of violence and hate, with it's peak being known as The Porajmos, or "The Devouring", also known as The Holocaust. During this time period, it is estimated that around 500,000 Romani people were killed. 

Romani discrimination still exists and is prominent to this day. Many Romani were denied access to homes, schools, and basic human rights. It is estimated that in Europe, over 40% of Romani children drop out of school before or during the 4th grade, due to discrimination.

While this may be a small or insignificant detail, adding the Romani flag to our emojis will combat the immense erasure this ethnicity faces. It will allow Roma across the globe to feel seen! This small act has the potential to reach the near 2 billion people who have an iPhone and the near 4 billion who own an Android. The more people are aware of us, the more likely they are to educate themselves. The time to act is now! Opre, Roma!