Ghettopoly? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

[Cloud9]

Yet another reason not to shop at Urban Outfitters:


http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/10/09/ghe....ap/index.html


'Ghettopoly' game causes outrage
Thursday, October 9, 2003 Posted: 1:30 AM EDT (0530 GMT)


PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Cheap Trick Avenue instead of Boardwalk? Hernando's Chop Shop instead of Reading Railroad?

Black leaders are outraged over a new board game called "Ghettopoly" that has "playas" acting like pimps and game cards reading, "You got yo whole neighborhood addicted to crack. Collect $50."

Black clergymen say the game, the brainchild of a Pennsylvania man, should be banned, and have called for a boycott of Urban Outfitters unless the company stops selling Ghettopoly in its chain of clothing stores.

Urban Outfitters has not publicly commented on the issue, and did not return a call seeking comment on Wednesday.

"If we are silent on this issue there is more of this type to come," the Rev. Robert P. Shine Sr., president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity, said at a sidewalk rally Wednesday in front Urban Outfitters' corporate headquarters in Philadelphia.

Shine displayed the game board, with properties including Westside Liquor, Harlem, The Bronx, and Long Beach City, and squares labeled Smitty's XXX Peep Show, Weinstein's Gold and Platinum, and Tyron's Gun Shop.

Players draw "Hustle" and "Ghetto Stash" cards with directions like, "You're a little short on loot, so you decided to stick up a bank. Collect $75," and "Steal $$$ if you pass Let$ Roll."

The creator of Ghettopoly, David Chang, did not immediately answer e-mails or phone calls seeking comment about the game.

On his Web site, Chang is unapologetic, and promises that more games -- Hoodopoly, Hiphopopoly, Thugopoly and Redneckopoly -- are coming soon.

"It draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter," Chang maintains, adding, "If we can't laugh at ourselves ... we'll continue to live in blame and bitterness."

But the Ghettopoly board depicts figures labeled "Malcum X" and "Martin Luthor King Jr." -- intentionally misspelled -- noted Rev. Glenn Wilson, pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.

"This is beyond making fun, to use the caricature of Dr. King in this regard," Wilson said. "There's no way that game could be taken in any way other than that this man had racist intent in marketing it."

The Philadelphia black clergy and Men United for a Better Philadelphia were just the latest to protest the game. In Chicago, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church, called for a boycott of Urban Outfitters. In Florida, the St. Petersburg and Hillsborough County chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People urged the company to stop carrying the game.

"I was outraged. We called Outfitters, we wrote them a letter, we held a press conference, but we've had no response," Pfleger said Wednesday.

[swissmiss04]

I can't believe that someone would waste his/her money on that. It's blatantly racist (w/ the King and X references) and maybe they think it's funny and all, but I'll just stick to my old school Monopoly. I wonder who told them that this was going to be a lucrative product....

[Kevin]

It's sad that Mr. Chang chose to excercise his free speach in such a way. I'm just surprised that people are buying this product. Stores are stocking it. Destructive stereotypes like this are harmful in any way, shape or form.

I'm not really surprised that someone produced this product... but that stores put it on the shelves. Speachless.

[aabby757]

Anyone else notice his last name is Chang? I wonder if he plans on putting out a stereotypical game that depicts Asians in an unfavorable light?

Personally, I would never buy that game. But I guess free speech does allow the game to be made? And, I would perhaps boycot the stores that do sell the game but then I also realize that every business has a right to make money.

yes I think this is beyond offensive but i'm not exactly sure yet who I'm more pissed at. The producer, the stores, etc.

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

I'll go out and buy the game. Because they'll end up banning it, and it'll be worth money here in about 10 years. It can help pay for my kid's college tuition.

If they ever come out with Crackeropoly---I'll buy that too

[cashmoney]

Originally posted by Cloud9
Yet another reason not to shop at Urban Outfitters:


http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/10/09/ghe....ap/index.html


'Ghettopoly' game causes outrage
Thursday, October 9, 2003 Posted: 1:30 AM EDT (0530 GMT)


PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Cheap Trick Avenue instead of Boardwalk? Hernando's Chop Shop instead of Reading Railroad?

Black leaders are outraged over a new board game called "Ghettopoly" that has "playas" acting like pimps and game cards reading, "You got yo whole neighborhood addicted to crack. Collect $50."

Black clergymen say the game, the brainchild of a Pennsylvania man, should be banned, and have called for a boycott of Urban Outfitters unless the company stops selling Ghettopoly in its chain of clothing stores.

Urban Outfitters has not publicly commented on the issue, and did not return a call seeking comment on Wednesday.

"If we are silent on this issue there is more of this type to come," the Rev. Robert P. Shine Sr., president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity, said at a sidewalk rally Wednesday in front Urban Outfitters' corporate headquarters in Philadelphia.

Shine displayed the game board, with properties including Westside Liquor, Harlem, The Bronx, and Long Beach City, and squares labeled Smitty's XXX Peep Show, Weinstein's Gold and Platinum, and Tyron's Gun Shop.

Players draw "Hustle" and "Ghetto Stash" cards with directions like, "You're a little short on loot, so you decided to stick up a bank. Collect $75," and "Steal $$$ if you pass Let$ Roll."

The creator of Ghettopoly, David Chang, did not immediately answer e-mails or phone calls seeking comment about the game.

On his Web site, Chang is unapologetic, and promises that more games -- Hoodopoly, Hiphopopoly, Thugopoly and Redneckopoly -- are coming soon.

"It draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter," Chang maintains, adding, "If we can't laugh at ourselves ... we'll continue to live in blame and bitterness."

But the Ghettopoly board depicts figures labeled "Malcum X" and "Martin Luthor King Jr." -- intentionally misspelled -- noted Rev. Glenn Wilson, pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.

"This is beyond making fun, to use the caricature of Dr. King in this regard," Wilson said. "There's no way that game could be taken in any way other than that this man had racist intent in marketing it."

The Philadelphia black clergy and Men United for a Better Philadelphia were just the latest to protest the game. In Chicago, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church, called for a boycott of Urban Outfitters. In Florida, the St. Petersburg and Hillsborough County chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People urged the company to stop carrying the game.

"I was outraged. We called Outfitters, we wrote them a letter, we held a press conference, but we've had no response," Pfleger said Wednesday.

Sounds fun, but I've never heard of Urban Outfitters. Is that like a Ghetto clothing store?



I think there should be a set age on who should be allowed to play the game and who shouldn't. I wouldn't want some little kid thinking it's ok to pimp hoes and sell crack when he is only 8 yrs old. It's not anymore racists than playing with those stupid Iraqi cards instead of real cards. And do you think that you'd be hearing ANY of those black leaders yelling about the redneck game? No, you wouldn't. Let them gripe about it, white people have rights too.

[xok85xo]

Originally posted by Cloud9
"It draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter," Chang maintains, adding, "If we can't laugh at ourselves ... we'll continue to live in blame and bitterness."

im not going to lie, when i saw this on CNN's website earlier this morning i thought it was funny, and for the reason that Chang stated above is exactly why. If you can't make light of a situation such as poverty and stereotypes then how can we ever work to dispell them..its better to laugh then to take every subject seriously and just end up bitter.

[bethany1982]

The cracker game sounds like a good idea. The redneck game sounds funny. Some people are way too sensitive.

[Imthachamp]

i think its a great idea. thanks for the heads up, im buying this.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by cashmoney
Sounds fun, but I've never heard of Urban Outfitters. Is that like a Ghetto clothing store?



I think there should be a set age on who should be allowed to play the game and who shouldn't. I wouldn't want some little kid thinking it's ok to pimp hoes and sell crack when he is only 8 yrs old. It's not anymore racists than playing with those stupid Iraqi cards instead of real cards. And do you think that you'd be hearing ANY of those black leaders yelling about the redneck game? No, you wouldn't. Let them gripe about it, white people have rights too.

Ok, first off, Urban Outfitters is not a "Ghetto Clothing Store" . If anything, IMHO, its like an American Eagle type clothing store.

Second, your post makes no sense. How does Iraqi cards and Chang's game support the rights of white people. Last time I checked, neither of those ethnicites are considered "white". WTF??

This game is triflin'! yeah, some of y'all may think its "no big deal" , but I bet if someone game out with a game called Greekopoly where the goal was to see how many beers your fraternity could drink in one night, or how many men you and your sorority sisters could sleep with at one time, over half you guys would be on here pitching a fit screaming bloody murder.

[cashmoney]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Ok, first off, Urban Outfitters is not a "Ghetto Clothing Store" . If anything, IMHO, its like an American Eagle type clothing store.

Second, your post makes no sense. How does Iraqi cards and Chang's game support the rights of white people. Last time I checked, neither of those ethnicites are considered "white". WTF??

This game is triflin'! yeah, some of y'all may think its "no big deal" , but I bet if someone game out with a game called Greekopoly where the goal was to see how many beers your fraternity could drink in one night, or how many men you and your sorority sisters could sleep with at one time, over half you guys would be on here pitching a fit screaming bloody murder.

Actually, my post makes perfect sense. The cards and changs game do not support the rights of white people. I never said that they did. I don't know how you got that impression out of what I wrote, but lay off the crack sister.

And if they came out with a Greek game....I would seriously think about getting that. I would love to play the as the Sigma CHIs and ZTAs getting drunk and having sex.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by cashmoney
Actually, my post makes perfect sense. The cards and changs game do not support the rights of white people. I never said that they did. I don't know how you got that impression out of what I wrote, but lay off the crack sister.

And if they came out with a Greek game....I would seriously think about getting that. I would love to play the as the Sigma CHIs and ZTAs getting drunk and having sex.

Funny comback

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by Cloud9
"It draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter," Chang maintains, adding, "If we can't laugh at ourselves ... we'll continue to live in blame and bitterness."

Originally posted by xok85xo
im not going to lie, when i saw this on CNN's website earlier this morning i thought it was funny, and for the reason that Chang stated above is exactly why. If you can't make light of a situation such as poverty and stereotypes then how can we ever work to dispell them..its better to laugh then to take every subject seriously and just end up bitter.

Well why don't he come up with a game that pokes fun at Asians then?????

I'm sick and tired of people complaining about how sensitive other people are. Like HK said, the game is trifling and very offensive and I would'nt dare waste a penny of my money on that crap.

[cashmoney]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Funny comback

It wasn't a comeback. It's true. I'd love to play a greek version of that. Think about it, how fun would it be to play that game with some friends over some beers? Phi Mus throw a twinkie party, DGs run around being dirty, AGDs beat down the KDs again, ZTAs get pissed at Tri-Delt, XO wants to do homecoming with Sig Ep who got beat down by the Pikes the round before and then the dean of greek affairs is fired......that'd be funny.

[1savvydiva]

Originally posted by cashmoney
It wasn't a comeback. It's true. I'd love to play a greek version of that. Think about it, how fun would it be to play that game with some friends over some beers?

...well if that's your idea of a good time. I won't apologize because it takes something of a bit more substantial humor/taste to occupy my time.