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I really hope this doesn't come across as offensive.
When I lived in NC, I noticed that a lot of ghetto blacks have Blueridge Parkway specialized plates on their vehicles. I found this odd as the mountain Western area of NC is predominantly white with very few minorities. I see no reason why someone not from or not familiar with that area would have those plates on their vehicle.
I asked my grandpa if he still sees the plates and confirmed that he does. He (and some of his racist friends) believe that the plate is chosen because of "BP" printed on the side. They think that this is short for "black power."
Has anyone noticed this phenomenon? Any thoughts?
Last edited by RedZin; 06-06-2014 at 07:49 PM..
Reason: Copyright
I really hope this doesn't come across as offensive.
When I lived in NC, I noticed that a lot of ghetto blacks have Blueridge Parkway specialized plates on their vehicles. I found this odd as the mountain Western area of NC is predominantly white with very few minorities. I see no reason why someone not from or not familiar with that area would have those plates on their vehicle.
I asked my grandpa if he still sees the plates and confirmed that he does. He (and some of his racist friends) believe that the plate is chosen because of "BP" printed on the side. They think that this is short for "black power."
Has anyone noticed this phenomenon? Any thoughts?
Ummm. I think they like the Blue Ridge Parkway?
ETA: Why would you assume a black person was from a ghetto? Poor white people have BR Parkway plates sometimes, too. Like I said...probably just enjoy the mountains.
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ETA: Why would you assume a black person was from a ghetto? Poor white people have BR Parkway plates sometimes, too. Like I said...probably just enjoy the mountains.
I didn't say all black people were ghetto. I did specify that all blacks I've seen with these plates were ghetto. The cars displaying these plates (with black drivers) have huge flashy rims and obnoxious rap music playing.
Many times on the Blue Ridge parkway, I don't think I've seen any of these types of vehicles.
I would find it equally unusual to find a BET bumper sticker on the back of a white person's car.
Our definitions of "ghetto" appear to be different. When I think of "ghetto" I think of project housing, etc. Not spruced up vehicles with high end sound systems and flashy rims. In Greenville there's a group called the So Icey car and truck club. Most of them are indeed black, and all of them have tricked out vehicles, some with over 10k+ worth of customized parts.
I would imagine this group with the "BP" license plate is another car club. Who they are? I have no idea. It may stand for Black Power, it may not.
Anyway, these car clubs can do good for the community. "So Icey" in Greenville has actually donated proceeds from car shows to local charities and worked with the mayor to stop violence and discourage gang participation for at-risk youth. Here's a write up on the group: Don.
Anyway, I don't think it's an inherently offensive question. If there's an unusually large group of people driving around with Blue Ridge Parkway plates nowhere near the parkway, and they're all black, then how else are you supposed to describe them?--Anyone who gets offended at that is just looking to be offended/save face. What is a bit offensive on your part is calling them ghetto if they're not. Do you mean people driving beaters coming out of public housing projects, or people driving flashy cars wrapped in different brand logos?
Our definitions of "ghetto" appear to be different. When I think of "ghetto" I think of project housing, etc. Not spruced up vehicles with high end sound systems and flashy rims. In Greenville there's a group called the So Icey car and truck club. Most of them are indeed black, and all of them have tricked out vehicles, some with over 10k+ worth of customized parts.
I would imagine this group with the "BP" license plate is another car club. Who they are? I have no idea. It may stand for Black Power, it may not.
Anyway, these car clubs can do good for the community. "So Icey" in Greenville has actually donated proceeds from car shows to local charities and worked with the mayor to stop violence and discourage gang participation for at-risk youth. Here's a write up on the group: Don.
Anyway, I don't think it's an inherently offensive question. If there's an unusually large group of people driving around with Blue Ridge Parkway plates nowhere near the parkway, and they're all black, then how else are you supposed to describe them?--Anyone who gets offended at that is just looking to be offended/save face. What is a bit offensive on your part is calling them ghetto if they're not. Do you mean people driving beaters coming out of public housing projects, or people driving flashy cars wrapped in different brand logos?
Save face from what? I understood your post until that comment. This is the Internet. Not commenting in the first place keeps one from being involved at all.
I think categorizing a group of people as "ghetto" is impolite, but not necessarily racist.
I think the plate might be chosen for its color combo.
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When in doubt, check it out: FAQ
Our definitions of "ghetto" appear to be different. When I think of "ghetto" I think of project housing, etc. Not spruced up vehicles with high end sound systems and flashy rims. In Greenville there's a group called the So Icey car and truck club. Most of them are indeed black, and all of them have tricked out vehicles, some with over 10k+ worth of customized parts.
I would imagine this group with the "BP" license plate is another car club. Who they are? I have no idea. It may stand for Black Power, it may not.
Anyway, these car clubs can do good for the community. "So Icey" in Greenville has actually donated proceeds from car shows to local charities and worked with the mayor to stop violence and discourage gang participation for at-risk youth. Here's a write up on the group: Don.
Anyway, I don't think it's an inherently offensive question. If there's an unusually large group of people driving around with Blue Ridge Parkway plates nowhere near the parkway, and they're all black, then how else are you supposed to describe them?--Anyone who gets offended at that is just looking to be offended/save face. What is a bit offensive on your part is calling them ghetto if they're not. Do you mean people driving beaters coming out of public housing projects, or people driving flashy cars wrapped in different brand logos?
I remember those vehicles. Some of them were quite funny. I believe I saw Tonka, Winterfresh gum, Ritz crackers, Black & Mild cigars, and Trojan Magnums.
Maybe ghetto was the wrong word choice. But, the drivers definitely didn't look like they were dressed for a day in the office.
Attra... You answered your own question in the original post, and I believe that is accurate for some with these plates. The other theory I've heard is that BP stands for "buying pot". There may be something to that, because the highest selling specialty plate in NC, the Smoky Mountain plates, has "Friends of the Smokies" across the top instead of "First in Flight", and it has been said the ending of that plate (SM) stands for "smoking marijuana". I'm quite sure that many of the people driving cars with these plates have no clue where the Smoky Mountains or Blue Ridge Parkway are.
I think it helps that these plates are not easily recognizable as NC plates outside of this state.
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