Recently, a few sister friends and the ghetto intellectual were exchanging ideas about the word "ghetto." I use ghetto and "'hood" interchangeably as terms of endearment. Where some might see only negativity, I see complexity and beauty--imperfect people striving despite impossible odds. One sister, if I understand her correctly, believes the word does nothing to uplift the black community.
Are some words so loaded with negativity that they are irredeemable? I don't imagine that there is a "correct" answer but we should at least be thinking about our language and its impact.
Words have power. Know why you use them and try to use them wisely.
Donna Hathaway performing an a cappella version of The Ghetto. To view click on video below or here.
Africans Americans discuss the word "ghetto." To view click on video below or here
A clip from All the Way Home--a movie about neighborhood racial integration in 1950s. To view click on video below or here
Photo source: Nerdtorious
tags: african american, ghetto
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