Rhondab said:

Got it.

So it's what then? A persona? A look? A mentality? All those?

I was using the term ghetto as others may say chav.. or whatever else terminology you may use..

REDFEATHERS said:

"Ghetto."

Classism-projected derision known to vary depending on the ethnicity of the target. For blacks (and browns?), it's the word in question.

For whites, it's the dually offensive "white trash," a term that manages to non-whites and poor whites in one fell swoop.

"Ghetto" is little more than the contemporary word used to disparage someone of perceived inferiority on (at least) the dimension of wealth, though the racial aspect is inseparable.

Yet another way for one human to exclude another.

All written by a brother who never could pull off slang all that well...
[Edited 1/25/07 20:32pm]

Adisa said:

I always found the word offensive myself, but what ever floats ya boat

ThreadBare said:

Yep, there is a racial element... I suppose the white equivalent would be whte trash or trailer trash

Oh fuck.. why does everyone have to be so fucking pc these days..

REDFEATHERS said:

There's simply a communication problem here... the same rules don't apply in England as the US.

I've been reading about this for my master's thesis.

Anyway, I know what you mean. I spent my early 20s in small towns in Nebraska, where a lot of the young people have a sort of working-class culture of their own. I for my part was raised with more privilege. But they had an openness about them that I really enjoyed. They seemed to have appreciated my company too and for the most part, we got along well.
[Edited 1/26/07 4:20am]

REDFEATHERS said:

I don't think it's 'PC', I think it's a cultural difference. Inside the US, 'ghetto' has different connotations.

That said, I knew what you meant, Red.


As for class status, yes, there are places I feel uncomfortable if I don't 'fit in'. And for me, that's both ends of the spectrum. I think I'm firmly in the middle somewhere.
But I think class can breed it's own culture as well, and that can contribute to the comfort level. I often don't feel comfortable with my own extended family. Not to say they are a different class than me, but I really would call my own brother a redneck. He's my family, but he's white trash in a sense too. He served Boones Farm wine at his wedding! His wife's family are farmers and my mother's family have a farming background as well. I have very, very little in common with them, which sort of eggs on my natural shyness when I'm around them. I find I have nothing to say! Very little common ground to even have polite conversation around.
But it's not to say I don't try, or completely remove myself from experiencing things I think are outside of my class. Variety is the spice of life.

CarrieMpls said:

(I'm sorry)

Heiress said:

At the bride and groom's table!! It was strawberry flavored! It's ok to laugh, I do too!

My family even used to joke that I was the mailman's kid, cause I somehow just don't fit in with my own family, I'm the only red head, etc. My dad used to get mad at me when I was a teenager cause he thought I acted like I was too good for them (my extended family). It wasn't my intention, I just always felt awkward around them.

CarrieMpls said:

Ah, look back in your ancestral line. You probably take after someone of a far-flung generation. We Americans have some funny mixes.

I had to giggle because my sister was lamenting that she could only buy cheap wine from Trader Joe's for her wedding. They're poor artists, but still... you know.

Heiress said:

awww... TJ's isn't so bad, even. Very drinkable for a cheap wine. You can console her by reminding her it's better than Boone's Farm.

I do not intentionally take on characteristics to feel accepted outside of myself in someones elses "class"

I know there are people with things ( energy ) about them that I intentionally steer myself away from because it ( they ) doesnt attract my interest. Though I would not be unfriendly or think myself above the possibility they may have something to teach me.

I feel humans in a way can be much like pack animals ( cilques it may be called ) we have our strongest circles in our "class" and most stick tight to them perhaps cutiing themselves off to experience crossing with another "class" wether it be from fear , pride or whatever reason.

CarrieMpls said:

That's what I'll tell myself from now on, if I run into a bad bottle.

I guess i am a chameleon when it comes to being with people from any class. I tend to take myself to the same level. I do that in most things in life. I do it in work situations too, from relating to the office junior through to the CEO.

Some people say it is a gift, i'm not too sure. What it has done is to leave me being not too sure where i fit in. It is something i have thought about lots over the past 6 months as i have had lots of change in my life. I find myself living a life and lifestyle that i'm not actually really too sure if it is me. I Have been so used to playing mind games and putting on acts due to my career that i have sadly lost who I really am in the process.

ellieadore said:

who you are is amazing