Ghettonation Ghettonation Ghettonation

by Cora Daniels

From the ghet-to "n." (Merriam-Webster dictionary) Italian, from Venetian dialect "gheegrave;to "island where Jews wereforced to live; literally, foundry (located on the island), from "ghetaagrave;r," " "to cast; from Latin "jactare "to throw 1: a quarter of acity in which Jews were formerly required to a quarter of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or an isolated group ghetto"> a situation that resembles a ghetto especially in conferring inferior status orlimiting opportunity ghetto"> ghet-to "adj. "(twenty-first-century everyday parlance)1 behavior that makes you want to say "Huh?" actions that seem to go against basic home training and common used to describe something with inferior status or limited opportunity. Usually used with "so." ghetto">;ghetto"> 3: a quarter of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or economic common authentic, Black, keepin' it real As current and all-consuming as "ghetto" is in these days of gold teeth, weaves(blond and red), Pepsi-filled baby bottles, and babymamas, ghetto has a long history. The original ghetto was in the Jewish quarter of Venice, a Catholic city. Before it became the Jewish quarter, this area contained aniron foundry or "gheegrave;to," hence the name. These days, ghetto no longer refers to where you live, but to "how" you live. It is a mindset, and not limited to a class or a race. Somethings are worth ghetto is "not" limited to a class or a race. Ghetto is found in the heart of the nation's inner cities as well as the heart of thenation's most cherished suburbs; among those too young to understand (we hope) and those old enough to know better; in little white houses, and all the way to the White House; in corporate corridors, Ivy Leaguehavens, and, of course, Hollywood. More devastating, ghetto is also packaged in the form of music, TV, books, and movies, and then sold around the world. Bottom ghetto is contagious, and no one is immune, no matterhow much we like to suck our teeth and shake our heads at what we think is only happening someplace else... From an award-winning journalist and cultural commentator comes a provocativeexamination of the impact of "ghetto" mores, attitudes, and lifestyles on urban communities and American culture in general. Cora Daniels takes on one of the most explosiveissues in our country today in this thoughtful critique of America's embrace of a ghetto persona that demeans women, devalues education, celebrates the worst African American stereotypes, and contributes to thedestruction of civil peace. Her investigation exposes the central role of corporate America in exploiting the idea of ghetto-ness as a hip cultural idiom, despite its disturbing ramifications, as a means of making money.She showcases Black rappers raised in privileged families who have taken on the ghetto persona and sold millions of album

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Race, Politics, Social Science, Cultural

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book is one of the best books I've ever read! Cora Daniels explores "ghetto" and takes us beyond every stereotype of what you might think ghetto is to show the prevalence of "being ghetto" in our culture today. Daniels make the case that ghetto is not a race issue, but rather a mindset that pervades every race, social class and income bracket. Ghetto isn't about being black or white, but about always aiming low and celebrating the worst in someone. She takes a serious problem in our society and looks at it from every angle - she is serious, but also includes a lot of humor and wit. I think Daniels does an excellent job discussing this hard-to-discuss issue.

[M]

notes: ghetto as a mind-set (how, not where, one lives); jump from an impoverished physical landscape to an impoverished mental landscape over time; ghetto not limited by class or race; not living within your means because you think tomorrow doesn't matter (or could be worse); always thinking short-term; absence of self-respect; embracing the worst and aiming low; pride and embracing everything you are (good and bad) as a way to erase feeling marginalized/to feel empowered; adultescents; ghetto as a choice; ghetto sells; hip-hop as a corporation; ghetto as drama ("The ills of poverty are far more dramatic than the angst of middle-class life"); showcasing self-hate; youth lack clear vision of success; "no-low" combination - no hopes, low expectations; desire to simply be heard; married women considered less work because relationship responsibilities fall on someone else; choosing to fill an on-the-side role means what you expect and accept for yourself is low; pop culture as reactive, not creative ("portrays how we wish we were living, think we should be living, or assume others are living"); tennis shoe pimps; first glances can be dangerous; women put up with and expect transgressions because "good men" are rare; demanding respect in order to kill legitimacy of on-the-side roles; class not the only indicator of quality parenting; dangers of low expectations in education; danger of victim-blaming; lack of viable measuring tools doesn't mean there isn't something to measure; pride as powerful survival tactic or impediment to success; living-for-the-moment mentality; cycle of culture and economics; no-hope syndrome ("proud to be alive"); learning to navigate different worlds as survival imperative; danger of focusing on self-responsibility - lets others off the hook; silence as downfall; ghetto has no focus; need to compassionately raise our expectations

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can be defined as ghetto? Location, race, economic status, all the above? Cora Daniels, NYC journalist and proud resident of Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn, goes on a journey to find all things ghetto. Her grounding assumption: ghetto is a mind-set or mentality. Hence why Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie Foxx, Paris Hilton and others can join the ranks of folks who sport gigantic TVs bought with welfare checks, armored SUVs, do-rags, and live by the mantra "get rich or die trying".

In this journey she looks at family, hip-hop, education, and other notable topics and how they relate to ghattonation. It's not a pleasant trip. How could it be? The rap/hip-hop industry has black folk clownin around and filling the pockets of white music execs who laugh at their own audience (ghetto). Sporting a wedding ring makes you more likely to be asked out on a date (ghetto). The great expectation of the last day of school is "didyapass?" (ghetto).

There's a problem out there that many would say exists only in the projects of Black America. Even Bill Cosby put it that way (whoops). Daniels says it isn't that simple and I found her reasoning and stories quite interesting. Her descriptions of people's ghettoness reminded me of many things I've seen in my very own, very white hometown. I sometimes found her writing a bit uneven and choppy - hence the three stars - but her points seem worth considering and investigating further.

[Melloways · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book I was like "oh my god!" I've been thinking about how my generation is totally lost and need some guidance. It touches on some of the embarrassment that I feel for my people. The things that are portrayed in the media about "black folk" aren't always in the best light and it must be known that these behaviors don't summarize an entire race. I was actually on C-SPAN 2 on Book-TV (so funny). I attended a book discussion with the author Cora Daniels and of course I put my two cents in. The older generations don't really get us and are always quick to point the finger at ghettoness and ignorance but are unwilling to acknowledge how they contribute to it by remaining silent in public but criticizing under their breath. This book should be read by EVERYONE.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

One definition of "ghetto" not covered directly but implied is the inability to interact with any culture not your own. Considering that I have heard that many of the kids in the poorest parts of a nearby town have never even been to the beautiful parks in the hills a few miles away, I can see how this happens. You can see the difference in how parents interact with their kids on the bus: some parents seem depressed, self-absorbed and just plain TIRED; these parents mostly just tell their kids to sit down and shut up. Other parents, probably just as poor, are reading books to their kids, pointing to things out the window and engaging in conversation with them to make the bus ride go faster. Guess which kids will end up standing on the street corner all day and which will end up going to college? Not necessarily completely predictable, but it certainly is going to be an uphill road for those that have never had encouragement or any expectation on the part of their parents that things can get better. I know several kids who live in horrible neighborhoods and have all the financial issues and lack of father issues that go with it, but they know how to step outside of that misery and interact with non-ghetto people.

Anyway, this book makes you think about things, and how "ghetto" is a mind set and not just a location. It's set in New York and some of the references are specific to there, but it also applies quite well to life on the West Coast.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good start, but I think Daniels could have gone a lot further in exploring "ghetto culture". It's not enough to point to infidelity and poor scholarship and announce that it's ghetto, but really explore how these came to exemplify what we call "ghetto". Is it a push back against the imposition of white middle-class values of going to college and getting married and starting a family? How is "ghetto culture" influenced by decaying inner cities and drug wars? Daniels said that ghetto isn't seen in just one race, but she does spend most the book focusing on Blacks, especially Black males. Granted, when someone says "ghetto", we think of Black males, but there could have been more about how this culture is embraced by others (which Daniels does mention, but does not explore).

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora Daniels, an African-American, award-winning journalist who frequently appears on NPR, attempts to tackle the word "ghetto" by redefining it. Daniels turns the once noun into an adjective, proving, with research, that anyone (any race or any gender) can be ghetto. While her writing is engaging, I still struggle with that word, and thankfully, so does she as the end of the book. I feel this word is negative and thrown around in a much too casual way. However, I still appreciate her desire to tackle a difficult subject in her well supported book.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. There is nothing that irks me more than when people use the term "ghetto" so loosely. This book clearly pinpoints the meaning "ghetto" and explains it clearly. I am so tired of people attributing the word ghetto to images they see in the media, when in reality have no concept of the word's meaning. "Ghetto" is not just a black thing, and this book clearly addresses that, and is funny as hell.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book, but in the end I think the broadness of her attack on ghetto really gave the book too much breadth and not nearly enough depth. She was spot on about a lot of things and pretty entertaining, but in the end I didn't feel like I had learned anything new.

[Tunde · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book. made me closely examine what makes and defines "ghetto". i liked the historical aspect of where the word came from. i always assumed it originated in the mid 20th century with the jews and nazis.

[Samantha]

An accessible intro to these topics.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm so embarrassed by the cover of this book, I had to take the dust jacket off in order to read it in public.

[Bruce Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insider viewpoint from Brookly Bed-Stuy writer. In general it is a depressing story, with no viable solution suggested.

[SAnderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Always human while painfully direct, this book should be read alongside Hillbilly Elegy for a comparison of the same culture in different racial communities.

[CTEP]

For the month of February I decided to read Ghettonation by Cora Daniels. This book explores what the word "ghetto" has become in the modern world and Daniels argues that it is now a mindset in our culture, instead of just a way of describing something or someone. For any hip hop fans out there this book puts a lot of blame on the artists and fans that completely embrace this culture of materialistic worship. Basically hip hop culture has taken over and become the dominant theme for America and since we seem to export our culture all over the globe you have this showing up everywhere from London to remote villages in Africa with "Tupac" spray painted on their sides.

Some issues that come up are the lifestyle that embraces the get rich or die trying attitudes. Not always in the most extreme meaning of the phrase either, but of living outside of your means. People who buy huge televisions and only wear new brand name clothing instead of saving for the future. Daniels talks about how a recent immigrant family living in her neighborhood in Brooklyn looked so out of place because they were wearing old clothes and didn't have cable. They stood out in this relatively poor neighborhood because they were actually living within their means.

This book will make anyone who reads it think about their own lives and question their lifestyle and how they embrace our popular culture. I think anyone who works with youth would find this book a very interesting and worthwhile read because you can see many of the issues more clearly when working with younger people. I think if I had read this book last year when working with middle schoolers I could have experienced a lot of the issues Daniels discusses. Working mainly with job seeking adults I don't see as much of this mindset displayed at my site, I think when you've experienced the real world long enough you gain a greater appreciation for education and the opportunities that may come along with it.

Well, I guess I'm going to have to reconsider buying that Sharp 90-Inch 1080p 3D Slim LED HDTV on my credit card. (low, low price of $10,999 or ≈ 1 year of Americorps)

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening and thought provoking. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

[O.G. Readmore · Rating 2 out of 5]

My status on this pretty much sums up my review; however, I will add that I understand where she's coming from and agree with her that there definitely needs to be a change in people's behavior and/or mindset. That never hurts. But for her to label every bad quality as ghetto just comes off as condescending and intellectually dishonest.

If you like pissing on poor folk mainly because you're embarassed by them and you are kind of classist, then his book may be up your alley. I think she could have done better. She interviews Dr. Todd Boyd of USC who's a guru at this kind of thing and I find it hard to believe that he would endorse most of what she puts forth in this book.

Here is my status on this book:

So far I'm not understanding WHY she has to use the noun Ghetto to describe such obscene behavior. Why not just call this behavior what it is: Obscene, bad, disrespectful behavior? Why must you name it after a place where the predominately poor and black live?

If this is a matter of universal negativity, then why not call it "CountryNation," or "WhiteTrashNation" or "Sub-urbanNation"?

She says she's from the ghetto. I'm from the ghetto, too. I know I learned a lot more than she's putting out in this book.

She says that the ghetto has changed. That it's no longer a place you live but a mind-set. I call bullshit. That's just a shortcut and kinda snobbish and intellectually dishonest. Why? She's from there, that's exhibit A. She didn't turn out like "those ghetto folk over there". Exhibit B) The ghetto is predominately a place and we should keep it as such. People are different. There are various types of people in the ghetto; everyone is not flashy and irresponsible. I'm sure she learned valuable lessons in the ghetto; positve things she carries with her always; I'm sure she knows others like her, aside from her parents.

For every J.J. "Kid Dynomite" Evans, you have a Florida Evans, a James Evans, a Thelma Evans and a Michael Evans. The fact that you are seeing more J.J.s than Michaels is largely due to capitalism (ironically, just what the late Esther Rolle feared and why she left Good Times: the network wanted more J.J. because people love his shenanigans and she felt his character was a bad role model.) The market has to be fed and there is money to be made on pumping bullshit to the masses.

Yes, poor people act a god-damn-fool. So do the wealthy. But that doesn't mean you have to label them after a place that is chronically and tragically linked to black faces. She's misguided in her thesis and is acutally snobbish and classist.

[LonewolfMX Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! This book was funny, but in all seriousness it was mind blowing, because the term Ghetto isn't just reserved for Black and lower income people anymore the author Cora Daniels without mercy unleashes an attack on the Ghetto culture which has enslaved us all with portrayal of the "Ghettofabulous" life and how the culture of the inner cities has created lower expectations, instant gratification, and a culture of violence and neglect.

It is also funny that people who try to act Ghetto are not people from the Ghetto itself rather it is a suburbia in which people who are born with many privileges and lack of motivation, because of boredom are prompted to adopt the Ghetto lifestyle in which many of today's despite bragging about their Ghettoness are in fact suburbanites.

This and much more how the culture of Ghettoness has created many problems for the Black communities, but is has also the same ripple affect on Latino, Asian, Native-American, and White communities, but it is not limited to the U.S. alone in which it has become acceptable to use terms of ignorance such as Nigga as a term of endearment as used by one Tunisan when the author visited that country and the Tunisian who said that owned a Rap and Hip-Hop shop called...... you guessed it Nigger!

Now that is messed up! Fo sho!! Dammit look at me now I am acting all Ghetto! GEEZ!..... but for reals a must read especially for those who have grew up in Working Class poverty, but especially for those in Middle Class spoiled by their possessions and privilege without actually earning it creates a dilemma in which we as a nation must endure. This book should be mandatory in Middle/Junior High School, and High School when pear pressure is at it's worst! Or better yet the author should make an in your face documentary Dispelling the Myth of the Ghettofabulous life in order to get people to finally WAKE UP!!!!!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

When did ghetto go mainstream? Cora Daniels, one of the first African- American journalists to tackle this cultural phenomenon, wonders how we got to the point where hiphop is a multi-billion-dollar industry, babymama is a household word and celebrities from Paris Hilton to Martha Stewart make ghetto references and sport ghetto accessories.

Ghetto culture was once isolated in the inner city, but now the whole world wants to get G'd up, and corporate America has been more than happy to oblige.

Kids who look up to Tupac and 50 Cent worry more about their thug gear than about their GPAs. The effect, Daniels argues, is devastating for black America.

Following the example of Bill Cosby's inflammatory – and now infamous –speech to the NAACP, Daniels asks her fellow black Americans why we now have a generation of youth who glorify sexism, violence and instant gratification over education, hard work and personal responsibility. She argues that rampant infidelity, the disintegration of the family and the glorification of criminality and violence implicit in the ghetto mentality are lowering the general tenor of our culture.

Part memoir, part cultural essay and part incendiary rant, Daniels's book is as much a meditation on her own origins as it is a survey of the contemporary African-American landscape. She wonders what motivated her to become a journalist while so many of her peers stayed behind. She veers between excuses (the poverty and low self-esteem) and tough sermonizing, all the while giving the uninitiated a crash course in the language and mores of the ghetto mentality.

She may not have answers, but the overview alone is enlightening.

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far one of the best books I have read. Cora Daniels examines the culture of "ghetto," explaining that "ghetto" has become a mindset-- not a place-- that people of all races have taken on. In her belief, embracing this ghetto culture is detrimental to people of all races, but especially for blacks. She writes about babymamas, spinners more expensive than the car they are on, devalued education, gangsta imitation, pimps and hos halloween costumes, mothers swearing at two year-olds, and on and on. This is clearly a sore subject, and one that is full of controversy. Critics might say she is engaging in elitism and blaming people for something that has arisen after years of slavery, institutionalized racism, and devestating policies and practices in government and society--something not their fault. Daniels acknowledges these things, however, and remains firm in her assertion that a solution must come from within the black community and self-respect is part of that solution. Respecting oneself enough to know that this ghetto state of mind is not going to help one rise up, to make one a better human being, but just the opposite. Daniels lambasts the mass media for its mass marketing of this ghetto culture. I would have liked her to give more solutions for counteracting this huge and powerful force, but her website offers more on this. Her website is www.coradaniels.com

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Ghettonation because it fell squarely in between two of my favorite topics: popular culture and African-American issues. While much of what Daniels discusses isn't new (when we've got studio movies titled "Baby Mama" we know that the ghetto mindset has gone mainstream), she does a great job of naming what until now had been rather fuzzy for me. Her thesis: we as a country have embraced "ghetto-ness," and that's not a good thing.

I appreciate what Daniels is trying to do here and think that she's on to something, but couldn't help but notice that throughout the book she veers back and forth between condemning and celebrating the very mindset she takes issue with. And perhaps that's why this mindset is so troubling - it can be funny, titillating and cool to be "ghetto." To break with that is to align yourself with folks like Bill Cosby, who raised all kinds of eyebrows in '04 by speaking about this very issue (albeit in a blame the victim kind of way) during the NAACP awards. So that accounts for my three stars - a great start at a conversation that needs to happen, but a somewhat shaky execution. I look forward to reading what she does next.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

and that'd be 2.5 stars if I hand that option.
I picked the book up because it was the most interesting title in reach when I desperately wanted a distraction from work. Writing about the mindset which has overwhelmed American culture, Daniels has an almost unique perspective in the literary world, one that is between ghetto and . . . whatever is the next step up. It was rather well-written; Daniel's familiar tone, amusing anecdotes, and the confirmation of held beliefs kept pages turning. A lighthearted look at a serious problem that fell short of the call-to-arms the book wanted to be, it is perhaps a good jumping-off point for studies along a similar vein, but not a weighty enough source for true social commentary.

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not usually into reading non-fiction very often, however, this was something I picked up at the library to write a paper on for my sociology class. Honestly I think the author did a fantastic job talking about "ghetto" today. This book is infused with humor but also a lot of real moments that make you question society and where we are going (and where we've been) I like the side notes and adored that this book was not a "I'm smarter than you" book. The author relates a lot of the information she finds to her real life which is always an interesting thing for readers. If you are wondering whether or not to read it, I say read it!

[Winifred · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ghetto/bad has infected all strata around the world. I already knew this cuz I caught my own kids flashing gang signs & downloading hateful music. I went thru the roof. Even Malcom X's family is not immune. His wife was BURNED TO DEATH by an irate grandson who just wasn't keen on livng with his grandmom in order to keep him out of trouble. The irony is sickening."

More on Betty Shabazz
http://www.cnn.com/US/9706/23/shabazz...

Cora Daniel's evergrowing list of 'that be so ghetto'
http://www.coradaniels.com/ghettolist...

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compassionate call to us to understand and love the people trapped in a subculture, not of their own choosing. Compassionate call to those trapped in the subculture to rise up, and make a for themselves a new future and break the chains of ghetto for themselves and their future generations. LOVED IT CORA. You are a great writer, sparing no harsh truth, but lovingly hopeful that some in the ghetto will rise up, and those not in the ghetto will love, pray and support those in the ghetto who would dare to try.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh...

I'd recommend Enough by Juan Williams before this.

Ghetto isn't a black thing, and not solely a black problem, but it is a part of the problem that so many people are willing to settle for so little.

[Wysterria · Rating 4 out of 5]

randomly saw this book come thru the delivery at the library...read it in a few days and found it both educational and entertaining...she explores the reasons why acting ghetto has become a trend, why a lack of interest in being educated has come out of it, and why being ghetto and poor is being glamorized in the media. in between chapters, she has 'that's so ghetto' lists and if you go to her website you can add your own 'ghetto sightings'. overall, i really enjoyed this book.

[Francesca Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Cora did a superb job of analyzing all that is ghetto nation in only 196 pages. I find the fact that she urges people to realize that "ghetto" isn't defined by race or socio-economic boundaries super important: we all are guilty of "ghetto" behavior at times but our country is overdosing on it, which in my opinion, will inevitably lead to the downfall of our nation.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - i am loving this book. Fantastic read. I'm reading a couple other books right now that haven't hooked - this one did from page one. General idea is that ghetto has become a mindset and a marketing tool. It has little to do with where you live and your ethnicity.

[Shaferlv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting review of the current emphasis on "ghetto", and its prevalence in America, particularly the African-American community. Most of the notes were familiar, but it was put together in an interesting theme.