Peter Urban, at 19, is preparing for graduation from a vocational school in Banská Bystrica but reflects on his painful experiences during his early schooling, particularly regarding his Romani heritage. He vividly remembers his first day of school at age six, where, despite being surrounded by other new first graders, he found himself isolated as soon as his mother, an Olash Roma, arrived at the school. Families surrounding them kept their distance, which struck him as deeply hurtful, and he went on to face explicit segregation and verbal taunts from peers as his parents were advised to avoid making friendships with him.

Urban's story reveals that the stigmatization of Romani people is unfortunately pervasive within Slovak society, which he argues is rooted in long-standing stereotypes and a cultural environment where prejudices are fostered, even among those who have never interacted with Roma individuals. Urban emphasizes that children are often brought up with a distorted view of Roma people, leading to widespread discrimination and societal division. The impact of this ostracism extended beyond his school years, showcasing how deeply ingrained anti-Romani sentiment can affect one's personal development and integration into the community.

In his commentary, Urban urges for reflection on the language used in society, highlighting how terms associated with historic oppression can seep into everyday dialogue and reinforce these negative stereotypes. His experiences underscore the urgent need for societal change, education, and a more inclusive approach to cultural diversity in order to combat the entrenched racism that persists today in Slovakia against the Romani population.