Regardless of race... ghetto refers to people who are in lower-income situations. Is it in good taste to parody them?

No.

I think that this is the point that everyone is trying to make, but no one can seem to agree on, lol.

As I have stated before, NO. Hell no, I "piss" on such a mixer......

I thought so. I live in a Greek community in NYC, plus I have a good memory. :)

As for this party, please come up with another theme. There really are dozens of fun, innocuous themes that won't result in offending fellow students, an appearance in front of judicial board, and an embarassing write up in a newspaper.

I agree with KSig. Also, while reading these posts, I was also thinking "Hmm, sounds like we could all use more intercultural education and diversity immersion or training of some sort."...

if you've ever been in actual project hallways, you'd be surprised what else is pissed on.

I'm sure if we had a "cracka" party you would be offended. We are college educated here and you know who "ghetto fab" is associated with. I hate to say it, but rappers have coined the term, so please don't pull an innocent act here:rolleyes:




QTE

Among the many problems with this whole theme is that you can't take a person's STYLE of MUSIC and assign them to a culture or class because of it. Music is just that MUSIC. If they wanted a hip hop party they could easily play their music and that would be it. However when you cross the line into trying to imitate or dress like "ghetto" people you are going to be perpetuating a negative stereotype.

From some of the other responses in this thread its obvious what this party is going to be about. The funny thing is if any of you who made up this idea ever stepped into a "real" ghetto you would see that there is nothing fabulous about it.

This is sort of interesting - honestly, how would you dress up to be, say, Common or Talib Kweli? Would that even fit the theme?

Also - let's say I came in an old-school Mets jersey, grew out some dreads, and spoke intelligently and thoughtfully . . . would anyone know that I was impersonating one of these Boheme rappers?

I guess I really don't know the answer, but I feel it to be an interesting concept.

This would not fit the "ghetto fab" theme at all. Kweli, Commn, Mos Def, etc. are sort of the antithesis of ghetto fab. You don't really see many sorority mixers with a "conscious hip hop" theme or a "backpack rap" theme, huh?

Quote:

Also - let's say I came in an old-school Mets jersey, grew out some dreads, and spoke intelligently and thoughtfully . . . would anyone know that I was impersonating one of these Boheme rappers?

They would probably just think you had an identity disorder. :p

Honestly, GHETTO FAB is a term that has been made popular by top 40 rappers and embraced by media outlets as a concept that generates revenue. Artists like the ones you have described are probably thinking more about making music with some sort of social message or meaning behind it. I am almost postive being ghetto fab is the last thing on their minds.

why? What is a "cracka" anyway? I thought it was a saltine or something like that. You know, one of those wafer like things that you eat - kind of like a cookie. Or what is a "honkey/honkie?" Is it someone that lays on the horn too hard? Someone that plays "honky tonk blues?"

You can't always be sure what someone will be offended about...whenever i hear these terms, I'm CTFU, not offended.....

*edited to add*

I'm not being serious, don't take anything I said as an attack because it is not one.

I may not be referring to Nazi Garmany but read on, as this comes from dictionary.com

ghet·to ( P ) Pronunciation Key (gt)
n. pl. ghet·tos or ghet·toes
A section of a city occupied by a minority group who live there especially because of social, economic, or legal pressure.

An often walled quarter in a European city to which Jews were restricted beginning in the Middle Ages.

Something that resembles the restriction or isolation of a city ghetto: “trapped in ethnic or pink-collar managerial job ghettoes” (Diane Weathers).


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[Italian, afterGhetto, island near Venice where Jews were made to live in the 16th century.]

So technically it is a word of italian origin, referring to where the Jews in Italy used to live.

Just an informational post, please don't flame. So while Jewish people do not have a "coin" on the term, it was an appropriate statement.

That's exactly my point . . . it's much easier to revert to the least common denominator, i suppose

You can call me a "cracker" or a "mick" or a "WASP" for all I care, I'm not offended by it. But damasa is right, you can't always be sure who will be offended by a statement like that.
We should be not using words or phrases that are derogatory.
It doesn't matter if someone is trying to put a "positive" (i'm not sure if that's the right word) spin on the words, it will still always hold a negative connotation. The point is, these types of words or phrases should not be part of vernacular.