G.H.E.T.T.O

These streets remind me of quick sand,

When you are on it, you keep going down…

And there’s no one to hold on to

And there’s no one to pull you out…

So you keep on falling, no one can hear you callin

So you end up self-destructing…

Getting Higher Education To Teach Others

The above six lines of Akon’s famous song ‘Ghetto’ literally sum up what I wanna write about. Since I first heard the song eight years ago, the lines remain true and etched onto my mind and engraved onto my heart. They put into perspective all my thoughts concerning where I grew up in.

You see, I am from the ghetto. Born and raised up in Dandora or Dee or Dandoch or Dandarra; whichever way you christen it, that was my home, still is and will ever be close to my heart. Initially meant to be an estate for middle-income earners with decent concrete houses and amenities that would offer comfort to the residents…Dee turned out into another ‘ghetto in Eastlando’ with a surplus population and alterations to the initial development plans.

But if I had a chance to have been born elsewhere, I would frankly and adamantly refuse for till now, I believe that growing up in such a place as Dee is a ‘blessing in disguise’ and the sad bit is that it can equally be destructive, just as Akon’s last line portrays.

In equal measure, I have seen people from the hood grasp the opportunities hat come across their way and live fulfilling lives. Sad bit is most of the young people will develop a rebellious, victim or content attitude with life in the ghetto. They are not to sorely blame.

I think society needs to refrain from making it seem like a person’s worth is related to what economic bracket they lie within. All of us are equal and the sooner we acknowledge that, the easier it will be to do away with snobbery, rebelliousness, inferiority and superiority complex all exhibited by especially young people on whichever side of the economic divide.

Till next time, I will sing along with Shaggy and Joe in their 2002 hit song…’Ghetto Child’. And maybe whistle along to ''Dandora L.O.V.E, ndani ya Hip-hop city...''. because that is what I am; just a  ghetto child who sees beyond the heap of trash in Dee.

Be blessed you wonderful reader. I remain Njabia the 3rd