G.H.E.T.T.O.

G.H.E.T.T.O.

            Back in early 2011, I was a participant in Leadership Rochester, a non-profit organization that aims to provide established and emerging leaders knowledge and access to resources that would enable them to respond to the quality of life issues in the Greater Rochester area.  During one of the assignments for this program, participants had to explore different neighborhoods outside of where they may have grown up or currently lived.  During the debriefing of this assignment, one gentleman spoke about his experience going into the inner city.  Of course, he did not reside nor did he grow up there.  During his breakdown of what he experienced, he of course used the term GHETTO to describe his experience.  The gentleman described the GHETTO with quite unfavorable descriptions as one might imagine he would.  Based upon his observations and the fact that he didn’t know, grow-up in, or understand anything about the GHETTO, some might hold his sentiments in high regards.  I of course did not.  As I sat there and listened, I thought to myself, how could I give a different viewpoint of what the GHETTO is or what it can be?  Heck, I’m from the GHETTO and I sat just as an equal to him in this leadership program, all can’t be bad. 

            I pondered how could I make something so negative in society’s mind be something more meaningful.  After being inspired by this one individual’s opinion (which of course was his right), I came up with an acronym for G.H.E.T.T.O.-Great History Emerges Through Tough Oppression.  For me G.H.E.T.T.O. is where many of the world’s greatest leaders, innovators, politicians, doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers, and countless other dreamers and achievers come from.  I could not stand to see a term, which didn’t originate from black and brown culture, demonize our people.   As a matter of fact (yes FACT) the term GHETTO originated back in the 16^th century when the Nazis (German’s) isolated the Jewish people from non-Jewish populations during World War II.  And just like the GHETTO’s of the 16^th century, the GHETTO’s of today are used to isolate and watch those that are isolated succumb to the grave living conditions.  This cannot continue to take place.

            Whether you are African-American, Hispanic, Jewish, Asian, Indian or any other ethnic group where you live or grew up in the G.H.E.T.T.O., remember that Great History Emerges Through Tough Oppression. We are people of a greater purpose than what others may believe. As oppression still exits in many forms today, we have the foundation of our ancestors to build upon.  No one said the road would be easy, and in this case, a road well travelled is better than one that hasn’t been travelled at all.  Our ancestors travelled frequently on these oppressed roads and made history! So can we!

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G.H.E.T.T.O.

By

Lakeisha Smith

CEO Unique Vizunz