stikpusher
Well, one could easily debate language and words. What is offensive to one demographic, is not to another, even in the receiving end. Especially when generational differences are examined. And there is a very fine line between education and indoctrination.
But seeing how this is a modeling website, this is not the place for it.
I'd call that fine line "fact".
There's a problem with this discussion in that the OP probably meant no disrespect to anyone using the term, so dragging it out might be seen as personal.
It's not. There are plenty of credible references about the basis of the term. We all get this stuff baked into us as we grow up. But it's not wrong to learn as we go.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Romanyism
And no, it's not an "American" thing. As noted above, anti-Romany discrimination is bigger in Europe. Not just political, but in educational policies, economic disparity and the "approximation" of blaming other transitory minorities, including the "Irish Travelers" in Britain.
So Bakster, you might consider revising the title of the post.