Someone just called me 'ghetto'...

[Parmina]

I'm mixed race black and Caucasian, have afro hair pulled in to a bun and a head wrap on (pretty much my go to style), small gold hoop earrings and am wearing a black knee length pencil skirt with a plain black hoodie and silver pumps.

Walked by 2 women on the stairs at the train station and heard one clearly direct at me "she's a bit 'ghetto' looking for " and they both laughed and walked off.

I may have got this completely wrong, but before I jump to conclusions, why on earth would they think I looked 'ghetto'?

AIBU to be sensing a racist undertone? Or is that my paranoia kicking in?

Never been called ghetto before...

It's their racism speaking. Black woman in a head wrap? Some people's disgusting minds just go right for the first stereotype they know, even if the stereotype themselves is wrong or have been watching Save The Last Dance.

No undertone about it. Racist and ignorant.

I'm usually really thick skinned, but this really hit me in the feels. Ghetto? Fuck.

Agree with PP - racism talking. Narrow minded people who have seen a head wrap and a hoodie and made a thoughtless comment.

Sorry you’ve experienced this :(

When they go low - hold your head high. They are ignorant.

They were twats, OP. Ignore and move on.

That’s entirely racist. I’m sorry you’ve experienced it.

They were racist and rude. What you were wearing is actually irrelevant, though it sounds nice. Why can’t people think of anything else to talk about?

And to think I even questioned that it was racism. I didn't want to be that girl who just presumed it was because of the colour of my skin, but that's clearly what was going on.

I think its a double edged insult - racist in the first instance and then implying you are poor, probably 'running the streets' and not suitable for whuch ever area it was that you were in. People like this make me sick. It is not you, it is them. How pathetic must their lives be to maje comment on a mixed raced woman in a wearing a hair wrap? Racist and bitchy to boot.

They're just thick as shit racists. They're not worth giving headspace to.

@LokiBear and little do they know that I earn 42k a year at 27 and own my own little ghetto house probably down the road from them and have a little ghetto baby on the way not a stealth boast, I couldn't give two hoots what people earn, I just can't believe stereotypes of people like this are still floating about amongst young people. Ghetto? My word! I must live a sheltered life.

Thanks @Jamesonthegiantbeach ! FWIW I thought it looked nice too

Racism.

It's a disgrace that it's still an issue in this day and age. The awful thing about it is that if you'd stopped and confronted them about being racist, they would have denied it because they genuinely don't understand that their ingrained prejudice affects how they view the world. There is a huge swathe of people who think that not using the 'n word' means they aren't racist.

little ghetto baby

They sound like absolute dicks. What a weird and rude thing to say to someone in ear shot. And yes sounds racist. I think? Although I would have thought that was quiet american as we have white ghettos in europe. Are you in london? It sounds lile a racist insult there.

@ResistanceIsNecessary absolutely! I actually wanted to crack her one bit of course resisted, purely because that would've made me look even more ghetto and then I really would be living up to the stereotype wouldn't I?

Funny thing is, people tell you to ignore, but it's just impossible. You ca. Choose not to react but the hurt feeling lingers. It's amazing how hopeless you feel after a comment like this.

Unfortunately these people are becoming more powerful ala GWOT etc. They never really went away but it was less acceptable for a while.

@MarthaArthur no I'm just outside Birmingham amazingly. Would've thought people were used to us ghetto folk by now!

Racist. Also snobbish. And downright rude!

@user1497863568 global war on terrorism? Really?

Wow thats so weird. People can be so shitty. You sound great i wish i could get away with a pencil skirt.

Parmina : Oil money and war contracts

What?!!!! I would have thought that a head wrap and hoody would go unremarked on in very large swathes of London. London is incredibly diverse.... although people can be dicks in every corner of the globe so I’m not saying racism doesn’t exist there. ( your outfit sounds very cool and Lauryn Hill to me.... if that reference doesn’t age me horribly)

A) your outfit sounds great
B) yes, they are racists AND snobs. And twats

@MarthaArthur ha! Thank you! I'm 30 weeks pregnant I don't have to suck my gut in anymore I usually wear a grey cotton tracksuit and sliders, because you know...