Journalism & Education
Education
Between 2022 and 2024, I completed a two-year hands-on journalism training course with Traveller's Times, in which I learned about written journalism, video creation and podcasting. I found a real love for writing opinion pieces and championing GRT-inclusive teaching and practices in education.
During the course and since it ended, I have had articles published in Traveller's Times, The Vegetarian, SEN Magazine, Tapestry Educational Guides and Headteacher Update, I have spoken at the ACERT, (Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers), Conference, created a podcast for 'Traveller's Talk', worked as a clapper loader on the 'TT Vision Toolkit' film, joined the NUJ and have a UK Press Card.
I was also awarded the Lyra McKee Bursary in 2024, which included attendance of the CIJ Summer Conference and a four-month training course in investigative journalism.
Traveller's Talk
I scripted the questions and lead this heartfelt conversation about growing up as Romany Gypsies in the UK, across three generations. Me, my son Tommy and my Dad, Richard O'Neill share our experiences of facing racism, the importance of positive representation, overcoming prejudice and the pride we find in our heritage.
ACERT Conference
I delivered this talk at the ACERT, (Advisory Council for the Education of Romanies and other Travellers), Conference in January 2024, after receiving a lot of negative feedback online about my article, 'You Don't Look Like One', in which I discussed the expectation of the general public that I look a certain way or have my ethnicity constantly challenged and the rights of GRT folks to look any way that they wish and how that should be possible without racism, judgement or commodification.
Tapestry Educational Guide
In 2023, I produced this guide for Tapestry, 'A Beginner's Guide To Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Inclusion', which gives a basic introduction Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, their cultures, histories and languages to early years practitioners and teachers along with practical help and tips on making classrooms and schools more inclusive and friendly for GRT pupils, how to support them and their families, the disadvantages and racism they may face and what the law says in regards to recognising and teaching them.
Traveller's Times
Published in July 2023, this article, 'Recycling is in Our Blood and Our History', explores conspicuous consumption, wastefulness and the Gypsy and Traveller roots of upcycling as rag n bone men, the first professional recyclers.
The Vegetarian
Published in the Summer/ Autumn 2023 edition of the magazine sent to members of The Vegetarian Society, this article, 'Why This Vegetarian Gypsy Supports Traditional Hunting Practices', I explore the cruelty, waste and human toll of the global meat industry and why I, as a vegetarian, support traditional subsistence hunting practices.
Traveller's Times
Published in December 2023, this article, 'You Don't Look Like One', explores the idea that a Gypsy woman is supposed to wear a 'uniform' and if she doesn't, she is either accused of being ashamed of her heritage or making up her heritage in order to appear more 'exotic'. The feedback on social media after this article was published inspired my ACERT Conference presentation.
Traveller's Times
Published in January 2024, this article, 'Gypsy Water???', was written after I found an expensive perfume for sale with the same name that was being sold by a non-GRT company. In it, I explore how 'Gypsy' is used by advertisers and manufacturers to evoke a certain 'vibe', how actual GRT-owned companies are often looked at with mistrust and how harmful cultural appropriation can be.
Headteacher Update
Published in March 2024, this article explores how GRT primary pupils need to see themselves in their school's library books in order to see themselves as belonging in education and school, how the best GRT books are written by GRT authors and gives book suggestions for both Key Stage 1 and 2.
SEN Magazine
Published in June 2024, this article explores my son being diagnosed with autism in primary school versus myself being diagnosed in my 40s, why socialisation of girls in the 1980s and 1990s particularly affected this, the benefits of early diagnosis and how new diagnostic criteria acknowledges the coping strategies that later diagnosed people rely on.
Traveller's Times
Published in the Autumn Winter 2024 edition of the magazine, this article, 'Why it's Romany Gypsy and Disabled' explores intersectionality and why embracing it is both liberating and empowering.
