Q: Mr. Federal Way, I recently read an article that Federal Way was the sixth most ghetto city in Washington. While it’s not exactly No. 1, it still surprised me because I’ve been to places that make this city look like Pleasantville.
A: Mr. Federal Way found that article and Mr. Federal Way can tell you this news outlet is no Federal Way Mirror. RoadSnacks is responsible for coming up with the list of the 10 most “ghetto” cities in Washington, which they state is based off of real “science and data.”
Let’s get one thing straight. Mr. Federal Way doesn’t like the word “ghetto.” It’s actual definition is “a part of a city, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups.” History lesson: The word’s origination came from Italy, go figure, in the early 17th century. The first ghetto was established in 1516 on the site of a foundry in Venice, Italy where Jewish people lived. Getto is the Italian word for foundry and the word borghetto is a modified word of borgo or borough.
So, why would Mr. Federal Way dislike such an old word? It’s because it can be considered racist, according to several forums, articles and websites. Let’s call it the g-word for good measure. This word is typically used to describe an impoverished area with high crime and a larger population of ethnic minorities. But let’s be honest, it’s too often used to describe cities or populations with more African-Americans or Hispanic people. When was the last time you heard a poor white community called the g-word? What’s worse is that this word can be used to describe individual people, which implies that person is of a lower status.
Mr. Federal Way skimmed RoadSnacks’ opinion article “based on science and data,” they say, and came to a conclusion: The writer clearly didn’t look up the definition of this word, which they define as “a poor area.”
RoadSnacks used average income, education, number of convenience stores, drug stores, discount stores and crime levels to determine their ranking.
How clever. (Sarcasm font.)
Lakewood, Tacoma, White Center, Tukwila and Everett came in before Federal Way. Federal Way’s stats, according to the article, include the following: Average income: $48,797; dropout rate: 15 percent; crime: ranked 20th (Tacoma was third). It goes on to say Federal Way is a suburb of Tacoma, (a factor, they think) and that the six murders in 2013 is one of the highest in the state.
“You have a 1 in 17 chance of being robbed if you live in Federal Way for a year,” the article states. “Does that sound like fun?”
Oh, and here’s Mr. Federal Way’s favorite part, they also justified their choice of Federal Way with the number of “ghetto mentions on Twitter” — this city had the most.
Is this perception truly based off of facts or is it something else? Why not refrain from using the g-word? The list could still stand and it wouldn’t be associated with a hurtful word.
Mr. Federal Way doesn’t think the city needs to work on its brand image, although that is what they are doing. Mr. Federal Way thinks society needs a new perspective, one not based on stereotyping or prejudice.
Q: Mr. Federal Way, I’m in need of a good gift idea. Got any?
A: Back in the summer, Mr. Federal Way experimented with flower beards — a trend the hipsters revived from the 1970s. This holiday season, the putting-stuff-in-your-beard-to-seem-cool trend has arisen. A Federal Way photographer photographed men with bushy beards for a 2016 calendar. Each is dressed for the holiday or season the month they were photographed.
For instance, September’s beard has orange and yellow leaves woven throughout while May’s has daisies. The photographer also created a 12 Beards of Christmas poster that includes snowflakes, mini-stockings, Christmas lights, ornaments and more — all in beards on people’s faces. How’s that for a gift? The beard poster and calendar can be bought here: www.etsy.com/shop/abeardforallseasons
Q: Mr. Federal Way, what holiday do you celebrate?
A: None of your business.
Got a question for Mr. Federal Way? Email mrfederalway@federalwaymirror.com
