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...

Oh cross post! Birmingham’s still pretty diverse no???

Im a teacher and took a group of pupils on a school trip and at the end of the visit the kids (aged 14) went into the gift shop. I noticed two security guards looking a bit edgy so I went in, initially to try and reasure the security guards that the kids were supervised. I heard one of them point to one of my boys and say 'watch that one'. Now this kid is a model pupil in every way. Never so much as had a detention. Always polite and well mannered and would never dream of shoplifting. The security guard repeated his instruction and added a comment about 'knowing his type just by looking at him'. I lost my shit. I asked the security guard what 'his type' meant and he mumbled something about his 'experience' telling him 'kids like that couldnt be trusted'. My pupil was a black kid dressed smartly in his school uniform, quietly looking at stuff in the shop and trying to make a decision between two things he wanted to buy. He didnt look like he was trying to steal anything. The issue was that was black and the security guard was a racist. I told the idiotic moron exactly what 'type' of kid he was - straight A's, hardworking, polite and refused to let any of my 58 kids spend any money in their tacky shop. The security guard didn't even apologise. The lovely thing was, the rest of the pupils (majoritively white kids) put their stuff back, stuck their noses in the air and commented loudly about not buying stuff from a rasict shop as we all strutted out. You have encountered two nasty, racist bitches today, but their behaviour reflects on them, not you. Dont let them hurt you.

I agree with you, that sounds racist as nothing about you sounds ‘ghetto.’

I used to say ‘ghetto’ growing up but it was abroad-I haven’t ever heard anyone say it in the UK. When myself and my friends said it, it was in the ‘trailer trash’ context and nothing to do with race. For example, ‘I had to hang my towel out of my bedroom window to dry-that’s so ghetto.’

Don’t judge, me I was young

Btw, you sound like you have a great style so pay no attention to those racist, snobby bitches

Hey! Sliders are the comfiest things on earth and your pregnant so no one is allowed to question your footwear lol

@Parmina you sound far from hopeless! And tbh someone feeling the need to make that kind of comment towards another woman (& yes racist and derogatory) sounds spiteful and jealous and very pathetic. So ignore! Your outfit sounded fab. And huge congrats on your little ghetto baby

Absolutely not denying the racist element of this. Inexcusable.

Are you in quite a buisnessey part of town, maybe the silver shoes and hoody and hoop earrings had something to do with it too, as not something you usually see on a traditional office worker type environment!?

@user1497863568 yeah just didn't see how that was relevant..

@Parmina How rude. They would not have said that about a white lady dressed in a similar fashion.

Cheeky bitches.

Obviously jealous of how you look. Ignore the ignorant racists! Just pity them because they don't look like you.

It's absolutely racist, and disgusting. It's horrible when something like this happens because you feel powerless. You feel as if you should have said something but often the moment has passed before you actually process what was said, and as you say you can't win anyway because by confronting them you buy into their stereotype.

I'm sorry it happened to you, it's ok to feel upset and off balance by it.

@LokiBear fuck sake that's shocking. That poor kid! Thank goodness he had you looking out for him!

The word Ghetto was originally used in Venice as it was an area where all Jewish people had to live. not sure what it has to do with modern dress

loki i hope he was sacked!

They sound jealous op ignore

Ignore them . Human nature is an odd thing and they probably thought they were being clever and "edgy". I think you looked lovely, by your description ,perfect clothing for a summer day . Good luck x

I dont think ignoring tbis kind of behaviour is the answer. Particulatly if you are white. I always challenge racism if I hear it (hence my gift shop outburst). I dont want my daughters growing up thinking that it is in any way ok for white people to witness racism and ignore it because that makes them complicit.

Loki, I hope you reported the security guards to the owners of the gift shop?

Definitely racist bitches. But I bet you looked fab.

I know it’s hard not to let it bother you (especially when pregnant - the sensitivity hormones would have made me burst into tears), but do try and get into perspective. These are the sort of people who need to snigger at others. They are either very young (I said embarrassing bitchy things when young) or very stupid, or both - whatever the case, their opinions do not need to concern you. You, however, are gorgeous and successfully and carrying your own lovely little baby.

If it keeps bothering you, try some visualisations - seeing their comments float past you on stream / in balloon up in sky. It’s one small moment in your life and it’s passed.

@LokiBear yas gyal! music to my ears

Birmingham is very diverse

Wow, what a couple of racist asshats.
Someone should tell them that the 90s called and they want their insults back.

@apriljune12 it is! Fabulous city.

Oh op :( what horrible ignorant people they were.

Racist and ignorant.

Your outfit sounds fab and congratulations on your pregnancy

Racist and rude, I'm really sorry you had to experience that.