The word ghetto sometimes is the most appropriate word at times to use when describing how some people act, live and dress. We've all used it but  do we use it carelessly?

Have we ever  heard the word used by white people? One day I was in the office and we were preparing for a conference call until I heard a white counterpart say we couldn't use a particular call in # because it was the "Ghetto Line" meaning it didn't work. Now with me being far from "ghetto", so why did I have a WTF moment?

Another scenario is evertime I'm with a white person and once they enter a community where a large number of blacks reside (and not necessarily a lower class neighborhood) they immediately say we're in the "ghetto". Again, why did I get offended?

FH: What is your perception of the word ghetto and how it's used? Do whites automatically equate the word ghetto to anything that's lower quality or even just being black? What is your opinion or past experiences with this word?

Interesting you bought this topic up.  I actually have been called ghetto by my boyfriend's ex... She always refers to me as the lil ms. ghetto. I haven't the slightest where she got it from.  I am well spoken have a VP position and have a college degree. My bf said she used to say she was white collar all the time. Anyway I have had all of one conversation with her and it was one sided because she was calling me ghetto the whole time. so I definitely think people use is inappropriately and I have heard people at my job use for just about anything! A broken soda machine, the community newspaper and just about anything that doesn't meet their standards.

What is your perception of the word ghetto and how it's used?

I believe we should have left it right in the period of the Holocaust where it originated......

Do whites automatically equate the word ghetto to anything that's lower quality or even just being black?

I believe most races within America
What is your opinion or past experiences with this word?

I don't have a problem with using the word and hearing it said as long as its not in reference to me.....I get offended....

Ugh...once I was waiting in line and a white woman behind me started to laugh and yell "Oh my God...my shoes are SO GHETTO!" I looked down to see that one of the straps on her sandals had broken. That was it. A simple broken strap near the heel of her shoe. Ghetto? WTF?

I guess I take offense of the word since it causes me to react, even if it's just sighing and rolling my eyes. Its being used to describe a general state of not being pristine, ordinary or politically correct. Its getting out of hand now because I hear it daily to describe everyday things and occurrences. *shrugs* Should be bury that with "bling bling", "jiggy" and "bootylicious"? Cuz you know how white folks be behind the times n sh*t...

It looks like the word ghetto is replacing nigger because ghetto is polictically correct.  At this time in history it is understood that both white and black can be ghetto.  The same holds true for the word 'nigger', the execption is that the connotaions didn't allow society to see it being applied to whites but blacks only.  The word 'ghetto' applys to anybody living like they from the hood.

Mentality in classism is a big deal and a real entity.  What is a cracker:  a white person with an ill mentality about blacks. 

I hear you, I get it, your WTF moment, and 'again why did I get offended.'  Did anybody else get it?  Did you want anybody else to get it?  I'm adding sneaky and methodical to the list of things that I know about you.  Okay.  Stop playing.  You gone be in trouble.