” I love being a Gypsy, it makes me special, it makes me proud of who I am and where I come from. At least I know where I come from, by being a Gypsy, and it’s a beautiful culture. “
“Most of the time I got bullied just for being a Romany Gypsy. Just because of my culture, probably my skin colour, probably my family, probably what we do and where we are from. “
Charley and Shania interview Toby Gorniak
Toby is a Polish Roma Gypsy, whose family moved to England when he was a teenager due to persecution in Poland. Toby is now a professional hip-hop dancer.
List of questions, with timings
0 sec. Do you know Gypsy language?
Yes, it is important to me, and I pass it on to my children.
18sec. How did you learn to do a back flip?
I was messing around with my brother, and we had a competition to see who could learn it first.
40sec. Why did you leave Poland to come to England?
We left Poland due to the racism and abuse we were getting. It was getting worse and worse. My mum got in touch with my uncle in London and booked us plane tickets.
1min 0sec. When did you start dancing?
I don’t think there was a starting point. When I was a baby in nappies I was dancing.
1min 25sec. What food do you eat?
All food. I love food. It’s time to spend with family and friends and share with other people. But there’s nothing like Granny’s food.
2min 2sec. Do you live in a trailer or a house?
A house. I do love the romantic idea of being in a trailer, but it’s not practical for me with 6 kids.
2min 15sec. Do you like being a Gypsy?
I love being a Gypsy, it makes me special, it makes me proud.
2min 30sec. What school did you go to?
Lipson community college in Plymouth
2min 43sec. When did you first do your back flip?
When I was 11.
2min 51sec. Did your brother teach you?
No, me and my brother had a competition to see who could get there first.
3min 6sec. Why did you get bullied?
Most of the time just for being a Romany Gypsy. Because of my culture, and probably my skin colour, my family, what we do and where we are from.