Is it racist

[Anewman]

I dont think dressing in a particular style is racist, but referring to it as "GHETTO" might be. Like if one dresses up in a Kimono and then asks "is it racist to dress INSERT ASIAN SLUR?".

 

[Christopher Robin]

GHETTO in not a slur.

 

[Anewman]

GHETTO in not a slur.

It is when used to describe dress by a particular race.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I think the question is racist. It implies that everyone in the ghetto must be black. So not true.

And there are plenty of people who live in the city and don't dress up in ghetto fabulous outfits. Just because a person is poor doesn't mean they dress like a moron. In fact, the majority of people who live in the city do not dress that way.

I don't think the outfit would be racist. I do think it would be moronic.

 

[Caitsmama]

Well, i don't think it is "racist", but it is a bit pointless as a costume. I never understood people who dress this way for a "costume".

 

[Christopher Robin]

Not all people in ghettos are black, and not all people who are in ghettos dress ghetto, and not all people who dress ghetto are from the ghettos, and not all people who dress ghetto are black. Did I miss any permutations? Ghetto is a type of place, and apparently a 'style', not a racial slur. If you think it is, I have several other legitimate words that you may consider racist too, although they are not.

 

[Anewman]

Not all people in ghettos are black, and not all people who are in ghettos dress ghetto, and not all people who dress ghetto are from the ghettos, and not all people who dress ghetto are black. Did I miss any permutations? Ghetto is a type of place, and apparently a 'style', not a racial slur.

Exactly but when you imply that "dressing ghetto" is about race...

"Is it racist for a blond haired, blue eyed child to 'dress ghetto' for Halloween?"

If you think it is, I have several other legitimate words that you may consider racist too, although they are not.

You can take many "legitimate words" and apply them to a particular race to give it racist implications, this is a family board so I wont give you examples.

 

[Briarmom]

Fun remember what that was.................

Seriously!
What other costumes might be offensive?

Let's see, we've already stated that pirates are out.
Bums. No making fun of the less fortunate.
Nerds.
All of the Disney princesses. We don't want our girls to think they need to be saved by men!
Pooh bear. He's chubby.

 

[Christopher Robin]

If a person wants to be offended, they will find a way to be offended.

 

[Anewman]

If a person wants to be offended, they will find a way to be offended.

And if a person wants to be offensive they will find a way to be offensive, even using only "legitimate words".

Again dressing RAP star/hip hop/baggy/etc... is not offensive IMO. But suggesting that it is a RACE thing might(same word I used last time) be.

 

[Christopher Robin]

Happy Halloween!
YMMV

 

[JennyMominRI]

FTR, I want to make it clear that I'm not offended by the use of the term Ghetto, I just see the current usage of it as an opening to teach my kids the history of the term.

 

[Briarmom]

I just want to point out that the OP has stated (maybe even more than once) that it was her CHILD that said the word 'ghetto' in describing the costume. AND her child is not 'dressing black'. She didn't specify any color she might be afraid of offending. You all are adding the 'black' part in yourselves.

 

[Mermaid02]

I see no difference between this and dressing "punk" for instance.

 

[basas]

Not around here it's not, nor was it in California...MY kids also sing Christmas carols at the winter concert... They are the rule not the exception around here.

The sounds very nice. Our school still sings Christmas carols too (mind you, it’s a private school). There is also a large Jewish student population so there are some Jewish songs included too, and then some generic “winter” songs (boring!).

I don't see how the person's race or coloring has to do with whether or not the costume is racist. It shouldn't be ok for a black kid to wear it, but not a white kid. I personally would not let my child dress that way, but not because I think it's racist.

Exactly- I don’t think it’s appropriate for anyone to dress the way they were dressed in the photo someone posted.

My son calls that look "thuggish" and no, it is not just African Americans who dress like that. My son, the nerd, would rather die...

I've seen all races wear those clothes and in my neighborhood the latinos have mastered it.

I grew up around lots of ghettos, NY is FULL of them where the boroughs are more separatist than the South, and remember learning the denotative term back in the 6th grade. Even back then it had turned into the term for a black neighborhood so I remember it shocking me then. It's no surprise that it has taken on a life of it's own.

I call it “thuggish” too (remember from the last thread?). I agree it’s totally unacceptable and we should not be promoting it. Really, I don't even like the idea for a costume.

As for the word ‘ghetto’, perhaps we are not as sensitive enough to it as we should be anymore, but we all knew what you meant.

 

[Anewman]

I just want to point out that the OP has stated (maybe even more than once) that it was her CHILD that said the word 'ghetto' in describing the costume. AND her child is not 'dressing black'. She didn't specify any color she might be afraid of offending. You all are adding the 'black' part in yourselves.

The question about it being "racist" was asked, and I did not see anyone(or myself) imply that she was being so. I read the question and answered it with my opinion as to what MIGHT possibly be considered racist and why.

but I do agree if you want to call it dressing ghetto without implying that it is a race thing, there is no racial issues IMO.

 

[Mr Man]

If a person wants to be offended, they will find a way to be offended.

Aint it the truth.

I do not see the costume being racist.

Poor taste? Probably. Then again, I was at a costume party last year......
One guy came as "Jesus" & another guy as "Satan". They followed each other around all night competing for converts.

Poor taste? Yep, but it was funny and no-one took it too seriously.....

And that is just it. If you are taking the choice seriously, then you probably shouldn't pick that costume. You can't control others perceptions (as evidenced by the responses on this thread). You have full say over yours though..... JMO.

Have fun!

 

[PlainJane]

There is a nearby school district with a large Muslim population that is asking that their holiday traditions be INCLUDED along with the Christmas celebrations. You would think the world is coming to an end by the infantile reaction some "Christians" are having. These are public schools.

Since when is the Christmas Christians celebrate the same as the one that includes Santa Clause? I know when I went to school there was no mention of God or Jesus around Christmas and the only carols that were sung were about Rudolph. There are two different Christmases.

I don't think that Muslims would be too happy if people distorted there religion's celebrations as much as the Christian faith's have been distorted. Don't act like Christians' have one some big battle when they haven't. If Christians were allowed to actually practice their faith in public schools there would be something worth debating over here, but they aren't. If public schools don't want religion involved that should mean all of them.

Sorry that this is very off topic from the original post.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Since when is the Christmas Christians celebrate the same as the one that includes Santa Clause? I know when I went to school there was no mention of God or Jesus around Christmas and the only carols that were sung were about Rudolph. There are two different Christmases.

I don't think that Muslims would be too happy if people distorted there religion's celebrations as much as the Christian faith's have been distorted. Don't act like Christians' have one some big battle when they haven't. If Christians were allowed to actually practice their faith in public schools there would be something worth debating over here, but they aren't. If public schools don't want religion involved that should mean all of them.

Sorry that this is very off topic from the original post.

Well...seeing as Chrstians stole a winter celebration from the Pagans it all seems to be coming full circle now. Sorry, back to our regularly scheduled Halloween/Ghetto/Racist discussion.

 

[Tiffer]

My son is 1/2 Kroean and 1/2 Italian and he dressed "gangsta" as he called it last halloween at DL. It was baggy pants, a G-Unit shirt, a side ways flat brim cap and a big gold medallion and sneaks.

I saw nothing racist about it. Nor did he. Quite frankly he looked like alot of kids at the mall.

It is hard for young teens to dress up. They want to be seen as "cool" by their peers and not "baby-ish". DD 11 is wearing a Minnie cosutme. We will be at WDW. I don't think she would wear it if she were going to be with her friends.

Black-face makeup is completely different, IMO.

Further, "ghetto" is the new saying. Kids around here say "that's ghetto" like we used to say "it's bad", although is was good. "that's ghetto" means it's cool. Don't ask me, I didn't make it up.