A ‘hood or ghetto is an area where people of a similar racial or ethnic background live, often associated with poverty and crime. The term is used by rappers to refer to their birthplace, but some people dislike outsiders using the term. The ‘hood is often associated with gangsta culture and organized crime, but some people are proud to escape it. Boyz n the Hood is a culturally significant film about life in South Central Los Angeles. Common ‘hoods include Brooklyn, the South Bronx, Houston, and Philly.
A ‘hood, also known as a ghetto, is a specific area where people who share a similar racial or ethnic background live. The word “hood” is essentially the slang alternative for neighborhood, even though it has come to mean so much more. For example, “hood” now suggests a poverty stricken area that is within the boundaries of an urban area. Conversely, slums in rural areas are often referred to as rural ghettos rather than ‘hoods’. Traditionally, the word “hood” referred to areas where the primary population was African American. In areas where many Hispanic immigrants have settled, the areas are often called barrios, the Spanish word for neighborhood.
“The ‘hood” is a term often used by rappers to refer to their birthplace or a place where they have lived a large part of their life. In rap songs, this place is often associated with poverty and crime, though that’s not always the case in real life. People who grew up in the neighborhood sometimes dislike “outsiders” who use the term to refer to the same neighborhood. Somehow, the word “hood” conveys a sense of brotherhood reserved for those who have actually experienced the place and the community. In some areas, the word “hood” is a politically incorrect term that is thought to have elitist or racial connotations.
If the songs are to be believed, the neighborhood is an area where “gangsta culture” is very much alive and where organized crime, drug trafficking and corrupt police forces are rife. The “hood” is not a place you want to be, but a place you can be proud to escape from. Rappers often use the word “hood” as a way to bring back memories of a difficult past that has long since passed. Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 film often cited as an example of “culturally significant” art. The film explores the lives of several young men living in South Central Los Angeles, an area known for its high crime rate. Some other places that are commonly referred to as “the ‘hood” are Brooklyn and the South Bronx, parts of Houston and Philadelphia (Philly).
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