About the word "ghetto"

[pat_k]

12. Traditional use is problematic. I wish he had acknowledged this.

Your point, and his clarification based on the traditional use of the term, are correct, as indicated by definition in Wikipedia.

A ghetto is a part of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure.

But, the traditional use of the term, particularly in the context he used it, creates a problematic generalization. I wish he had acknowledged this in his clarification.

I don't think there is much argument that his statements are not a problem. Clearly, the way he expressed himself was apparently offensive to at least some of his potential supporters, intended or not. And that's a problem.

I'm not trying to smear. I'm a Bernie supporter. As such, I wish he had expressed himself better during the debate, or failing that, had done a better job of clarifying.

But done is done. Time to move on and just avoid statements that appear to embody such generalizations.

Nobody's perfect.