The Word "Ghetto"- What Does it Mean to You?

[Gigabitch]

I'm having a Facebook spat with someone about this.

What does the word mean to you? Is it classist? Is it racist?

Discuss...

[vashti]

I consider it more a class distinction than a racial one.

[IndiReloaded]

Wasn't the ghetto an urban slum? I would say its one of those emotionally charged words that some find offensive if they are sensitive to being labelled lower class. Like nigger. Some folks say it to each other and its fine but if you are white, its not.

It implies a lower standard of quality or life, I would say.

[Gigabitch]

The way I see it, this word has evolved into something that transcends class. It's a cultural phenomenon, a lifestyle. I'm thinking now of piles of middle-class kids adopting ghetto style in an effort to define themselves as something more street than what they actually are.

[vashti]

Lots of kids strive to dress ghetto these days. It makes them think they are cool, with their asses hanging out and all.

idiots.

To me, dressing "ghetto" means it is probably in poor taste.

[Gigabitch]

And if someone accused you of being racist or classist for saying so?

[IndiReloaded]

Then you've successfully pinged on an insecurity of theirs b/c you aren't either of those things. Congrats, Giga. File the data for future use. Its unlikely you are going to fix their issue for them. Some of those folks internalize their insecurity to the point where it becomes a point of pride, by way of coping.

You are entitled to your opinion too. And if you think ghetto = could use improving, then say so.

[tooxshort]

It depends on the context ... I normally use the term as an adjective to describe something that was made "the poor man's way" ... like using a shoebox as a shelf ... or mixing in chicken broth and ketchup and calling it "pho" ... or making spaghetti, pouring clam chowder on it, and calling it "carbonara" ...

or "ghetto-rigging" things ... like ... I cut up the "TERCEL" sign on my old car to make it say "ERIC" ... or duct taping things to make new things. That's ghetto. hahaha ...

[url]http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ghetto[/url]

But for some reason, the only time I've seen it taken as racist is when a white person says it to a black person. In it's pure, original form, it's classist, but around my area and when I grew up, it was just used as a funny term to describe things.

[vashti]

Well, I would object to being called racist, but I wouldn't care about being called classist. I think it's kind of like black people not minding being called "nigger" by each other, but not liking it when white people call them that. I grew up poor, so I feel entitled to refer to something as "ghetto".

[Gigabitch]

The guy I'm arguing with has terrible white guilt, I think. He's trying to show he's down with the peeps or something. He called me a "classist ****".

[vashti]

Maybe you should handle it ghetto style, and pull him out of his car by the hair to kick his ass.

[Petit Papillon]

I dunno Your ghetto, but I know there was a Jewish ghetto in Warsaw during II WW... I assume it means some kind of closed area,where people are living `like in another world`,different than other people outside the ghetto...

[tooxshort]

And if someone accused you of being racist or classist for saying so?

You tell them they're too old to understand.

[IndiReloaded]

Giga, you aren't racist. Tell him to take his white guilty self and stick it where the sun don't shine. You don't owe it to him to prove yourself.

But, from my perspective, I have NO problem with calling myself 'classist'. The truth is, class differences exist. Many people worked damn hard to pull themselves out of the muck (Vash, I think you had a hard childhood, I remember). I have HUGE amounts of respect for these people. They did it. Others can too. Sounds like white guilt and sour grapes from others, perhaps.

Surround yourself with people who inspire you, Gig. Not those who want to pull you down. Guys like him would have you give up everything you worked hard for to assuage guilt without purpose. Even if you DID give up everything, it would be casting pearls to swine. B/c its really just jealousy. Everything you have (or I have, or Vash has) ANYONE can have, they just have to step up and take it. The universe has no bias in this. I think the best thing one can do for folks in the ghetto/slums is to show them a better way, and help them IF (and only IF) they demonstrate a real desire to improve themselves. I would do a lot for those who genuinely want to improve. But, if I give up MY advantages in doing so, then I can't help anyone, can I?

Just take a clear stance and tell him, if he doesn't like it, to go **** himself. And that you'll be happy to have him bring your car around front when you are done having your champagne and nails done at the spa.

[misombra]

tell him he don't know shit about the ghetto and to shut the fuk up.