ghetto Nowadays, "ghetto" is usually associated with urban, predominantly African-American slums and the hip-hop stars who grew up in them. But the "ghetto" story goes way back. In Europe and the Middle East in the 14th and 15th centuries, Jewish people were forced to move to segregated neighborhoods under pressure from Catholic and Islamic authorities. These districts got a name with the establishment of an officially segregated Jewish neighborhood in Venice, Italy in 1516. It was called "the Ghetto," which literally means "foundry," because it was built on the site of a metal casting works. Other Jewish ghettos sprang up around Europe later. They were usually overcrowded with unsanitary conditions and their residents' movements were restricted outside of the ghetto's walls. Abolished in the 19th century, Jewish ghettos returned to Europe under Hitler, but this time as holding places for Jews before sending them off to concentration camps. Modern ghettos haven't usually been Jewish but they are always dominated by a single minority group. The communities are poor and working-class; they can be rural (like in South Africa) or urban. Oftentimes they house immigrants who have left home in search of opportunity. That was the case with the earlier American ghettos--such as the Irish and Italian ones of the early 20th century. Now "ghetto" " refers either to a certain district or to someone from a poor urban neighborhood. It can be a term of pride for hip-hop stars who brandish it as a badge of street cred--or just describe life in the 'hood: "Ghetto bird" is a police patrol helicopter, for example, and "ghetto blasters" are the handheld boom boxes so popular on sidewalks in the '80s. "Ghetto fabulous," which is also the name of an album by rap superstar Mystikal, means going for the gaudy appearance of status without the cash to back it up (like souping up a Chevy Nova with expensive rims and a stereo system). But it also applies to a hip-hop star like Lil' Kim, who can afford the finer things but co-opts the flashy look of the "project princess" (lots of gold, leather and fur) as a means of celebrating her cultural roots.

Comments

[P!nky]

Nowadays, unfortunately, the "ghetto" is used as an adjective when it is really a noun. It's being used as a word to stereotypically label Black people, people who are mixed with Black, or people who have creative, uncommon names. Or even if you act a certain way. For example, if you have a name like Shakia or Davion, people call it a "ghetto" name. Or if you're caught in public in an altercation you are called loud and "ghetto". It's not right.

[babydollnorthside53]

reading this shit is fuccin comedic for me. Real females that actually know wassup would agree with me too. When you live in the gutter you have more shit to worry about then what some goody goody living in the suburbs brady bunch bratty snot nosed middle/upper class kids got to say. Who gives a fucc what people think. Im proud of where I come from it made me strong no matter who you are you should be proud of it. Weather you come from the hills or weather you come from the slums. Every person has value. Theres only for types of people in this world the real the fake the weak and the strong. Just my opinion. To each there own.

[Keana]

when someone calls me ghetto i dont take it that offensively unless they do that when i use a slang word which is no reason to call me that. but i think acting ghetto is acting like you come from the ghetto but that doesnt mean that just because you come from the ghetto that you are automatically ghetto. its just a stereotype in my opinion. but i dont really call anyone that. because i dontknow if its offensive to them. and not every single black person acts "ghetto" or comes from the ghetto. why do alot of people assume that?

[cassandra]

come on ppl its 2009 get on with it its america...freedom of speech if u worried bout a judgemental word deal with the words that are really disrespectful like nigger and wigger and other disrespectful word but ghetto cum on its a fucking place get over ur fucking selves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shari]

Oh; and as I'm reading these comments;
a lot of people are saying "da" instead of
"the." it's one extra letter. stop being lazy.

and that's all.
peaace<33333333

[shari]

hah. It's funny how people
are PROUD to be ghetto. I'm
black and yah, I'm broke
and my parents are divorced
and I live in an apartment.
but like I dress nice and
respect myself rather than
labeling myself as something
lower than i am. That's dumb[:
and; "Railha", just because
you're friends with those people,
doesn't mean you have to be
"ghetto." and calling yourself
ghetto just makes you look
like trash. And you don't have to
type like that. Proper punctuation
is important [:<3

[kAMAyAH]

WOWz3RRZzz....ii DiiDNT kNO DAT SOM3 BLACk PPL W3R3 PROUD 2 B GH3TTO...y3S ii HAV SUM GH3TTO FR3iiNDz BT iiM NOT LyK DAT ND iiM BLACk...LOLz iiTS kiiNDA FUNNii 2 C DAT SUM GiiRLz Lyk 2 B kALL3D DAT!!!

[angie]

i love the ghetto culture even though i'm not sincrely ghetto it's like being two things i want to be ghetto or punk pu k or ghetto well both!

[2Hot4u]

To Dianond.In your post of July 15 08 You say we dont know what its like in the hood.You mean to say that because we lived or still live in the suburbs we dont have hardships and pain and struggle?I dont think so.So I think you should GET A LIFE and stop writing crap like that.

[2Hot4u]

What the Fuck?Who ever made that word is FUCKING mad.What the hell does ghetto mean?"oh yeah im from the ghetto".Does that make you morespecial than the rest of us?NO!why cant you be NORMAL and say im from Johannesburg or Cape town Or whereever the hell you from,Why call it GHETTO?Thats just whack!

[Z]

Ghetto is a way of life.But Ignorant people put it in a different context. People say your Ghetto or this or that you dance Ghetto. How are you Ghetto?Ghetto is a way of life.

[NITA]

man look up ghetto n da dictionary im samoan n love ma black ppl regardless n us samoanz will alwayyz fight for you guyz as long as ur willin 2 fight 4 ur self

TALUFA HAYATAHZ!!!!!!!!!!
SAMOAN PRIDE N BLACC LOVE FOA LYPH
CAN U DIGG IT?

[briehalo]

ghetto is a stupid word. People use it like they say ignorant, which half people use differently than a dictionary defines it. Ghetto is a place but some people use it to describe people and their actions. like keisha coles' mother acts ghetto sometimes. (just an example). I'm black. I've been called ghetto but I don't give a damn because no one can tell me what it means. All of you claim to know what ghetto is. Its an illusion that society made up to hurt black people. maybe we should be worrying about something more important rather than arguing about whate ghetto is.

[delmaria]

i may be black but i did went no white chick callin me flip`n GETTO

[angie]

ghetto is jsut beign free, not caring what others think,being youself and sometimes of coruse lissitng to hip hop,rap and son but it's not nike shoes, hoddies no not at all, it's sometimes bein poor or just being you!

[Liz]

ughhhh i cant stand it when people sit there and say how "ghetto" they are. If you were actually from the "hood" then you wouldn't need to spend time and try to convince people thats really where you came from. My older half brother lived in the "war-zone"/ hood. and he really fucked up his life. Its not something to brag or joke about. Growing up in harsh areas is hard on the families who live there. And for someone to even joke about it is straight up ruthless. People who have grown up in the hood understand its not a joke and do not sit there and brag about it. they wanna get the hell out of there.

[Santana]

A hoo ha!
I just realized I called myself scene then said I don't wanna live up to a stereotype! XD
Okay, so I don't wanna live up to the whole "ghetto" stereotype. Cuz it's not me. I genuinely like scene stuff and I'm not just trying to fit in. That wouldn't really make sense anyway, because there aren't many scene kids where I live. Haha.
Peace Luvvs

[Santana]

I'm black. I'm scene. Most of the "ghetto" chicks and guys at my school are Hispanic. But I do see the tendency to consider black people ghetto. The other black kids at my school (which are not many) treat me different because I "don't act black enough". Which is stupid. Just because I'm smart, going places and have my own style (we're very lacking in scene kiddz where I live) doesn't mean that I'm betraying my people. I'd rather be myself than live up to a stupid stereotype.
PLURR (yeah, imma raver too)

[RAHiLa]

Yh I Am Ghetto.
I'm South African/Ugandian/Indian.
People Labled Meh Chav Just Cuz I Wuz Da Only Dark Gash In Mah Skewl. Yh Well When I Made New Friends - Gang Yh They Made Meh Ghetto. I Don't Live In The Ghetto. My Lifestyle Ghetto Yah Gets Meh?
Man Sayin Bedrin This Huzaah That Brap This Innit Thaa Don't Mean Yhoo Some Ghetto. Why Do Peeps Want To Beh Ghetto? I want to Talk Normal Again Buh I Don't. Yh Well Pick Up Whaaev Don't Think Ghetto Cool Ayt? It's Noh. I Nearly Goh Stabbed Tryin To Act Ghetto - And I'm 13.
x x x x x

[none of ur business]

y the hec r u guys gettin mad at each other about whos ghetto , like it matters. any body cud be ghetto just get over it and if u dont then o well its ur problem
gosh u ppl have no life grow up already

[sesi gurll.]

i am so ghetto it not even fuking funni yo.
i was bornnnn in da ghetto.
i AMMM ghetto.
my momma ghetto.
my frend ghetto.

[Beckkkk.]

get the fuck over yourselves !

[patty]

My friend was from Brooklyn and she was ghetto she acted like she was the best and that she could fight

[sammy o]

oh my gosh....just becuase a person is black doesnt mean they are ghetto....i mean so thats like sayin every white person is a stuck up bitch or sumthin....jus because the word comes from black people,doesnt mean everyone with dark skin is.....THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[Temptaous]

The term ghetto , needs to not be taken lightly. Growing , I have always been refered ot as ghetto. With my name being Temptaous , people thought I was ghetto. Yes, I am a loud and boisturous person. At one point ,it was cool to be ghetto. But as I learned the meaning behind the word, it became hurtful. I live in one of the whitest neighborhoods in my area, pool in my yard , and a great car. So I dont understand how those whose living conditions that are worse than mine , call me ghetto
People should be very careful as to what they label people as.