Do People Realize You can Grow up in a "Ghetto" and Not act "Ghetto"?

Thank you for pointing this out. I have used the term "ghetto" as an equivalent to inferior and I am humbled that it never occurred to me that it's insensitive and bigoted. I am glad that I am now conscious of this and will refrain from saying it. I think your observations are right on and it's sad how a simple phrase can denigrate a large segment of the population. Again, I say thanks and keep up the good insights.

Yes you're right. Their are some blacks that live in the "ghetto" or have come from the ghetto that do not act ignorant at all. What people forget is that those neighborhoods are more affordable which is a reason that many decent blacks decide to stay.

i agree. i was born and raise in harlem new york. and yes i do live in a "ghetto neighborhood but does that make me ghetto? no! i refuse to be a part of the ignorant stereotypes that people label us by and when i do say us i mean black people. i may be from the hood but that doesn't make me "hood". its not the place that makes the person.

I always realized that.

Just like not every individual who grew up in an abusive home is going to be abusive.

Just like not every individual who grew up with people doing drugs/alcoholics is going to do drugs/alcohol.

Just like not every man who sees his father or brothers being physically abusive is going be physically abusive on woman.

I know how you feel, People who act like this are ignorant, and don't deserve you're time.

You should set them straight. There are people who are born from working and higher class who acts lazy and has their pants hanging. Like i said ignore ignorant people like this. ^_^

Save for historical reference, I think it's time to retire that word, period.

It, along with the word "thug", has become a popular tool amongst closeted racists to denigrate anything not in keeping with their anglo-centric worldview.

Yes, Ghetto is a noun, not an adjective.

True, people in Baltimore don't seem to understand this at all though.

You have the Power to act however you want, environment has shyte to do wit it.

Do you realize 2012 is right around the corner?