The word "ghetto" is often thrown around to describe something tacky or unsatisfying to one's social standards or liking in general. I cannot begin to tell you how many people I have heard use this word who have never in their lives experienced what it's like to live in the ghetto.
I am from Reading, Pennsylvania, where we have a high poverty rate that has decreased over the past four years, but the city still needs financial assistance. I do not believe that I lived in the ghetto, but have I been in the ghetto, yes. Do I know what it's like to live in somewhat poor conditions? Yes. But I don't use that as an excuse to call someone ghetto or call something ghetto because it's not good enough for me or because it's different from what I know.
Going to Temple was not much of a transition for me, simply because Philadelphia is just like my hometown. Except it's 10 times bigger and has actual trains you can use instead of just the tracks in the middle of streets or back ways. Growing up in Reading, I was exposed to people who some of my fellow acquaintances here at Temple would refer to as ghetto. Simply because of the way they dress, cook their food, wear their hair or because of the way they live (non-suburban housing).
I say this because some people can't fathom having to fill up a bath-tub with water from the sink because the piping is messed up. Or, in order to get hot water in the winter time, you have to boil it on the stove. Or maybe the fact that the electricity goes out because you can't afford to have it on for a month, and not because a tree knocked over a power line. Or the fact that there are actual non-college kids who eat Ramen because their parents don't have enough money for actual food.
Imagine not having your phone service for months, or not having cable or a TV in general. How about having to share a single car with your entire family? Having family members in jail because they thought selling was the only way to put food on the table? Could you imagine being taken away from your parents simply because they don't make enough money to support the kids they created and love? I could go on with a list of actual incidents where I could see the appropriation of the word ghetto, but that still doesn't give you the right to use it in a mocking manner.
The problem with the word ghetto is that it has become appropriated through daily language, regardless of the situation. No one takes the time to educate ignorant people on what the word ghetto is and where it comes from. Just because someone listens to trap music or rap music does not make them ghetto. Just because someone wears their hair differently form yours does not make them ghetto. Just because someone is loud doesn't make them ghetto. Just because someone grew up in an urban city like Philly, Reading, Detroit, Chicago, Harlem, Brooklyn, the Bronx, etc., doesn't make them ghetto.
That's like me saying that, just because someone listens to contemporary or indie music, they're white. It's offensive because it's irrational and there is no causation between the two. I've been told I was too white for a black girl, or too black in certain groups of white people, so I know how it feels to be degraded to a stereotype. Constantly calling someone or something ghetto is a slap in the face to those who worked their butts off in school to get out of the ghetto, or those who had to sacrifice having nicer things to support their family or brothers and sisters. Just in case you don't get what I am saying, here's a video that might help you out.
So the next time you decide to call something ghetto, please remember that it's easier to call something ghetto than to actually live in the ghetto. God forbid that some of you guys would actually have to risk not having a substantial amount of money to support yourself with, right?
