Spend the day with me getting to know the Romanians on Norwich Road
His name is Diablo. His cousin and auntie walked past mid-conversation to confirm he was single. He wants to be a police officer. His dad wants him to fix the washing machine. Norwich Road introduced us.
A few people, whose names won't be mentioned, weren't initially happy to speak to me.
‘My wife won’t be happy’ or ‘My English is not good’, seemed to be somewhat of an excuse. As I walked up Benezet Street, I approached a group of young boys who were heading home for lunch. They directed me exactly to the kind of character who they knew would be willing to have the chit chat I was looking for.
Meet Diablo
He was an open book. I can confirm this through his cousin and auntie walking by who reassured me that he was single and ready to mingle.
If by the time you've read this, you feel any less intimated by Roman friendship groups, let me know and I may just assist as your wingman.
Warning: Be prepared to feel like the most beautiful person someone has ever laid eyes on.
Diablo came to the UK in 2010. He looks after his parents “Because you have to give them now in this life”.
He was born in Romania, and grew up in Vaslui, in the northeast region. He described it as a town similar to Ipswich, where he would spend most of his time with his cousins.
After walking and talking for a bit, he offered to sit by the IIC church on Burlington Road.
He began to address the discrimination he faces in employment, as well as general attitudes that people outside of his culture have towards him for being who he is.
“We are people, we are human being, but some people is racist here, some people know, if you go to find a job, if you are, I'm a gypsy. So what's the problem from Gypsy?”
Economic factors are one of the biggest reasons for the high emigration and movement of Romanian citizens.
Diablo doesn't just take care of his family in Ipswich. He also mentioned that his dad was sick and remained living back home, owning the responsibility to take care of him financially.
Despite completing a 2-year college course in mechanics at Suffolk New College, Diablo's dream is to become a police officer. His dad wants someone to fix the washing machine for free but he's more interested in giving back to the community.
He says, “If you have two jackets, give another people one jacket who doesn't have it.” He offers food for the homeless and spoke from his heart.
“If I see someone sad, I want to make him happy.”
I asked about whether he wanted to continue living here or if he was interested in eventually starting a family: “But we can’t stay here with our life, you know, I mean? Because it's not your country here.”
As someone who also comes from a bicultural background, my identity is more attached to the emotions evoked rather than concerns surrounding the political or economic state of where I come from. I felt what he meant by this.
Despite living here for roughly 17 years, working hard to help his family and establishing a life within British culture, Diablos heart belongs home.
