>> I take ghetto to mean substandard, unpolished, incomplete, etc...
Except that's not what it means. If we're making up definitions then that's a whole different ballgame.
Wikipedia: A ghetto is a section of a city occupied by a group who live there especially because of social, economic, or legal pressure. A ghetto is now described as an overcrowded urban area often associated with a specific ethnic or racial population.
Definitions: 1. A part of a city, esp. a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups.
2. The Jewish quarter in a city: "the Warsaw Ghetto".
I know that in current day society the word isn't always intended on meaning that. It doesn't change the fact that this is what it actually means. And I definitely don't believe Pincus was using it with any sort of racial undertones.
That being said, I still agree with the parents statement and I too wish it would die.
I'm not saying that anyone here used it with racial intent. I'm saying that I believe the word originates from an intent to disparage people who live in ghettos, i.e. certain minorities.
I'm talking about what it what the connotations of something being ghetto are -- especially when I someone is being accused of ghetto behavior.
In some parts of the country, "Aunt Jemima" (and "Canadian", I've heard) are used as slurs against black Americans. The dictionary definition standard would permit this, since Aunt Jemima is only the name of a brand of maple syrup.
The notion that the dictionary defines what is an isn't racist is wrong. Dictionary definitions trail modern usage, they don't lead it.
Except that's not what it means. If we're making up definitions then that's a whole different ballgame.
Wikipedia: A ghetto is a section of a city occupied by a group who live there especially because of social, economic, or legal pressure. A ghetto is now described as an overcrowded urban area often associated with a specific ethnic or racial population.
Definitions: 1. A part of a city, esp. a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups. 2. The Jewish quarter in a city: "the Warsaw Ghetto".
I know that in current day society the word isn't always intended on meaning that. It doesn't change the fact that this is what it actually means. And I definitely don't believe Pincus was using it with any sort of racial undertones.
That being said, I still agree with the parents statement and I too wish it would die.