It wasn’t until last week that I was familiarized with this term. Growing up on the preferred West Side of the Antelope Valley, my exposure to the urban culture was limited. I speak clear concise English without hint of accent and I also speak Spanish with relative ease. I did live in Los Angeles while in college, but even then, my experiences were limited because of my unfamiliarity and my environment.
As I begin working with MCM Productions, my horizons are being broadened while we work to simultaneously rebuild a broken community. Urban elements while part of the overall picture of most cities can have both positive and negative facets. As with any culture, the undesired negative elements are defined by one term or another by the positive; wishing to differentiate and set themselves apart. Not unfamiliar with everything urban, I was aware of terms like ratchety, or bunk, but when I heard ratchet the first time I was wholly confused.
Lucky for me, a close friend was able to define the term and help me understand it’s proper usage. Armed with this knowledge I have begun using the term to describe anyone who thinks their victim hood entitles them to freebies. Unlike most of the rational population, ratchets seem to be under the impression that the world moves solely for them, and any move to prevent their joy is slight against their person or creed.
Ratchets come in all colors and genders because it is a culture, not a race. This culture feeds on victim hood because it hungers for apologies. It is never the fault of a ratchet, because you’re preventing their happiness and when an apology is issued for statements made, or rules enforced, they look for recompense. When a business refuses to allow ratchets to dictate business practices, they get upset, and either comply or spout off before retreating. When a business allows the culture to have its way, the business inevitably crumbles as has been witnessed time and time again in my hometown.
One thing to keep in mind is that a ratchet will always look to make themselves a victim and never gives a reason for their position. You DJ sucks. “why?” I dunno, they just do… or they don’t play MY music. I don’t want to pay a $5 cover. “You get a $5 drink ticket so you’re not out anything” What if I don’t drink? “We sell soda, Monster, Water and Juice.” What if I don’t drink?
Everything is an excuse without reason to skirt that which they find undesirable.
Don’t give in to petty demands, and don’t apologize because you have done nothing wrong other than stand your ground. Ratchets soon learn that we will not cave to them and they will either comply or get left behind.
