“Watch out! Gypsies steal little children.” That’s what Mugur
Varzariu was often warned when he was growing up in Bucharest,
Romania. Years later, working as a marketing strategist, he
regularly heard — in “polite society,” no less — that the Roma
people were lazy or criminals. The Roma are often referred to as
Gypsies, a term many consider offensive. Their ancestors, who
came to Europe from India, have faced oppression and violence
for centuries in Europe. They share language, culture and —
until the 20th century — a nomadic way of life. Mr. Varzariu,
42, knew very few Roma before he switched careers two years ago
to become a photographer. In July 2011, after hearing that the
mayor of Baia Mare, a small city in northern Romania, was
building a 6-foot wall to separate a Roma community from its
neighbors — creating a ghetto — Mr. Varzariu traveled there to
see for himself. The Roma he met were different from the racist
stereotypes he was raised with. The Roma of Baia Mare were
impoverished. Although some worke