When the game Ghettopoly hit store shelves recently, some extremely sensitive black people and the NAACP were outraged by the board game's stereotypical content.
Many who have heard its name or seen its box have called this game racist. Because the board game’s title includes the word “ghetto” and the man on the cover holding a 40-ounce bottle of Malt liquor and a gun is black, they believe the game portrays only African-Americans. That isn’t the case.
Ghettopoly touches on several ethnic groups. Instead of passing Boardwalk or Reading Railroad, players pass Trailer Trash court, which portrays whites, and Chico’s Rodega, which portrays Hispanics. The game also includes humor aimed at Asians, Irishmen, Jews and Italians. Various ethnic and racial groups found in the ghetto are portrayed in this game, not just black people. Blacks who think the game is just about blacks need to get over themselves.
Those who are calling the game racist need to stop taking it so seriously. It’s just a game! The game is based on things found in the common, present-day ghettos, such as alcohol, drugs, pimps, prostitutes and strip clubs. This is reality. The game also touches on playing basketball in the neighborhood park, yet that’s conveniently left out of opposers’ disgruntled comments.
The game pieces reflect the modern-day ghetto, too. Instead of the usual top hat, shoe and dog game pieces, Ghettopoly uses a machine gun, a marijuanna leaf, and a rock of crack as game pieces. Cleverly, the game is also played with counterfeit money.
It’s amazing how Ghettopoly is such a big controversy among the same people who listen to rap, which is notorious for its degrading and stereotypical lyrics.
On an Internet message board regarding the game, those who have played it – most of whom are African-Americans – said they enjoy the game. Most are not offended by the game’s content and want to play it.
The self-consumed sensitive blacks who think everything is racist need to take a chill pill. Ghettopoly just a game!