Ghetto
by Kait Wheeler on March 20th, 2009
filed under Rants
I call them: Gangsta Packs
Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin with these. They seem like harmless backpacks, right? They come in a variety of colors and designs, and make it easier for people to control their iPods or other MP3 players without having to dig into their bags for the actual device. Sounds great, right? Not when you realize that they have built in speakers, too. Oh yes, my friends. The boom box of the future is finally here. Well, they’ve been around for a while, but I’m now starting to notice more and more people with them.
I’m not a racist, and I think by now the people that know me, know this to be true. But if there is one thing that I cannot abide, it is ignorant, rude, ‘ghetto’ kids that walk around, shoving people out of their way with these backpacks blaring out their ‘ghetto anthem’.
This is not an exaggeration. I was on my way home from work on Monday, Flogging Molly thumping pleasantly in my ears when all of a sudden the ear buds get knocked out, and this fifteen year old boy shoves past me with his backpack on. He was with two of his friends, and didn’t even say so much as “Excuse me.”
I know what you must be thinking. ”Kait…you live in Boston, and you’re surprised by this behavior?” No, I’m not. I just genuinely don’t understand why people want to act like this. It isn’t flattering, it isn’t beneficial, and it’s certainly not respectful.
I wanted to turn this into a full-fledged ‘rant’ (if you will), but honestly I think I lack the drive. This stereotype is a plight on society. I could sit here backing up my claim, but the amount of evidence that is out there is simply staggering.