Chicory Revitalization Project: The Ghetto, a poem interpreted by Dante Ralph by Be Here Stories | Stories from Main Street published on 2020-02-24T20:13:03Z Chicory Magazine captured the words, passions, debates, and anger of black Baltimore from 1966-1983. The Chicory Revitalization Project uses the power of poetry to promote civic dialogue about place, identity, and social justice. In this playlist, students from Rutgers University read poems from the Chicory Magazine, while adding their own commentary about the poems' meaning and context. Poem, GHETTO, Chicory issue 25, page 6. A ghetto is not a good place to live in because it has trash and dirt and poor houses and rats. Some people made it out of the ghetto. Some didn't make it. Some people are talking about the funky ghetto. You ever heard of a funky ghetto. I read a couple of books about the ghetto. The things in the books was no joke. You might think it's a joke, but it's no joke. "From 1966 to 1983, Chicory magazine published the poetry of mostly African American writers of all ages in Baltimore. The location I have assigned to the poem is 519 N Chester St # A, Baltimore, MD 21205, This address is located in Middle East Baltimore an area historically known as a ghetto. This poem is, 'Ghetto' by 13-year-old Lorenzo Biles, and it appeared in the May 1972 issue of the Magazine called Chicory. A ghetto is not a good place to live in because it has trash and dirt and poor houses and rats. Some people made it out of the ghetto. Some didn't make it. Some people are talking about the funky ghetto. You ever heard of a funky ghetto. I read a couple of books about the ghetto. The things in the books was no joke. You might think it's a joke but it's no joke. (Chicory Issue 25, Pg, 6). This poem speaks to me because of the relationship I have to it, during my early childhood i used to live in an area of Newark which was considered a ghetto. During the night time there was one thing that I'll always remember about that neighborhood, which was the constant sound of the ambulance and police near the house. Luckily, once I was six years old, my parents decided to move out of Newark and raise our family in a safer environment. Growing up in the ghetto and suburbs has prepared me in the best way possible for the world. I have learned both sides of the coin by learning how to act and protect myself in dangerous neighborhoods and I know how to act when in a formal setting which requires more of a professional appearance. These lessons I have learned have helped shape me into a versatile and adaptable man. Considering my position in life now, I can say that my parents have given me the best chance to succeed in this world. My name is Dante Ralph and I’m a student at Rutgers University-Newark. This audio essay is part of the Chicory Revitalization Project. To read more from Chicory, visit the Digital Maryland Repository online and follow the project on Instagram at Chicory_Baltimore.” Asset ID: 8458 Genre Learning