Ghetto
A part of a city in which members of a minority group live
Real World Example
During the Renaissance and Reformation period from 1300-1650, ghettos were areas in cities where Jewish communities were often forced to live, segregated from the rest of the population. This was important because it reflected societal attitudes of the time, where Jews were marginalized and faced discrimination due to religious differences and economic tensions. The establishment of ghettos was a response to these tensions, aiming to control and monitor minority groups under the guise of protection and order. Today, the concept of ghettos still matters because it highlights ongoing issues of segregation and inequality in urban environments. An example is certain neighborhoods in major cities where people of specific ethnic backgrounds might be concentrated due to economic disparities, impacting their access to quality education and job opportunities.