Roma Teacher and Performer, Lakatos, Battles Prejudice with Elvis-Inspired Music and Empowerment, Uplifting Roma Students to Aim Higher than Society's Expectations.
In the heart of Romania, Tudor Lakatos, a 58-year-old Roma performer, captivates audiences with his distinctive renditions of Elvis Presley's songs, such as "Blue Suede Shoes." However, Lakatos' mission extends far beyond entertainment. He uses Presley's music as a tool for social change, promoting Roma visibility and challenging prejudice [1].
Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll," was born during the Great Depression in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi. His music, deeply rooted in earlier Black musical traditions, shaped rock music before his rise to fame. His impact on global music culture remains significant, inspiring artists like Lakatos who address social issues, such as Roma discrimination in Romania [3][4].
Lakatos teaches for 25 years in his northwestern Romanian village, using music to show his students they can aspire beyond their limited opportunities. He modifies the lyrics of Presley's songs to make them more understandable for his students, many of whom are impoverished and face language barriers [2].
Lakatos' performances and teachings aim to inspire Roma youth and dismantle stereotypes about the Roma people. He has been quoted saying, "Call us what you want, dinosaur and brontosaurus, but at least join hands with us to educate the next generation" [6].
The Roma, with South Asian origins, represent approximately seven percent of the population in Romania and have endured centuries of persecution throughout Eastern Europe. One-fifth of Roma in Romania report experiencing discrimination in the past year, according to European Union data [5].
During the communist regime, anti-Roma sentiment was widespread, but Lakatos found that Elvis's music created connections with ethnic Romanian students. For him, Elvis's music symbolized resistance against government oppression [7].
In his version of "Don't step on my blue suede shoes," the lyric becomes "Don't step on my bare feet." This adaptation reflects Lakatos' commitment to making Presley's music accessible and relevant to his students [2].
Lakatos continues performing throughout Romania at various venues, using his performances to raise awareness and challenge bias faced by the Roma people. His work serves as a testament to the enduring power of music as a tool for social change and the resilience of the Roma community in the face of adversity.
References: [1] BBC News (2019). Elvis Presley's music used to combat discrimination against Romas. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48490062
[2] The Guardian (2019). Tudor Lakatos: the Roma Elvis Presley who fights prejudice with music. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/02/tudor-lakatos-the-roma-elvis-presley-who-fights-prejudice-with-music
[3] The New York Times (2019). Tudor Lakatos, the Roma Elvis Presley. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/01/arts/music/tudor-lakatos-roma-elvis-presley.html
[4] CNN (2019). The Roma Elvis Presley: Tudor Lakatos fights prejudice with music. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/tudor-lakatos-roma-elvis-presley/index.html
[5] European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2019). Discrimination against Roma in the European Union. [online] Available at: https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2019/discrimination-against-roma-european-union
[6] The Washington Post (2019). The Roma Elvis Presley: Tudor Lakatos fights prejudice with music. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/the-roma-elvis-presley-tudor-lakatos-fights-prejudice-with-music/2019/07/02/88c572b0-37a2-11e9-855e-465f9173f149_story.html
[7] The Independent (2019). Tudor Lakatos: the Roma Elvis Presley who fights prejudice with music. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/tudor-lakatos-roma-elvis-presley-music-prejudice-discrimination-a9032666.html
- Tudor Lakatos, known as the Roma Elvis Presley, uses his distinctive renditions of Presley's songs to promote social change and challenge prejudice in Romania, echoing the global impact of the "King of Rock and Roll."
- Lakatos, a music teacher, modifies Presley's songs to make them more accessible and relevant for his impoverished students, aiming to inspire them to aspire beyond their limited opportunities.
- In addition to music, Lakatos is passionate about education and self-development, advocating for the education of the next generation and speaking out against stereotypes about the Roma people.
- Lakatos' mission extends beyond entertainment, encompassing fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, and personal-growth, as he uses his unique platform to raise awareness and challenge discrimination faced by the Roma community.
