The Avon Echo

by Janelle Walker

Now in 2023, everything that a black woman does is subjected to be deemed ghetto. 

From the hairs on her head to the shoes to the shoes on her feet. 

With all this nitpicking how can a black woman feel complete? 

From the hoops of her earrings to the chewing of her gum. 

“Why is she wearing that bonnet? She looks like a bum.” 

“She’s ghetto!” 

“I can tell she’s not intelligent.” 

“Why did she wear her natural hair out to an interview?” “She has no proper etiquette.” 

“She’s ghetto!” 

From her fake lashes to her fake hair. 
“Look at those braids… how could I not stare?” 

“They’re ghetto!” 

You see the sternness in her tone, the pep in her walk, and how she likes being alone. 

This is just the barrier and the hurt runs deep from the violence at home. 

She’s not mean, she’s not a drama queen, she’s hurting. Unable to be heard. 

Why do you think she gets defensive? It’s almost as if vision is blurred. 

You don’t see beyond that… 

All you do is settle with that word.  

“Ghetto.” 

“Why can’t she just be proper?” 

Enough is enough. That girl is not violent just because she’s tough. 

She’s protecting her heart because she knows that to you, she’ll never be enough. 

Society says be yourself, but you force these masks on black women… 

Of course, they’re going to feel apart from everyone else. 

You only see her attitude but not where she’s from you only see her darkskin not knowing her heart is as bright as the sun. 

She’s a strong black woman but 

Her happiness is running cold. 

avoiding all contact keeping her mouth closed, wanting to private her posts, to avoid being called that demeaning word… “Ghetto” 
 

From that heavy load, her hanging on to that heavy rope for… 

Help. 

Trying so hard not to be that stereotype you “accepting” people… 

Tell 

We need to protect our black women, not tear them down. All hope is not lost it can still be found. 

What I mean is our feelings are profound. We just want to listen to the sound of unity. 

In the beginning, I dated evidence of this word all the way back to the 16^th century. These meanings are now completely different. But are tied together, still used to discriminate, and tear communities down. This word doesn’t need to be passed on from this day on it has to stop. Cause we truly know that that word has been through a lot. 

So, with respect for the people who fought and strived for equality, that word has to be dropped.