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Racism in literature project
Racism literature research
Racism literature research
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In Brent Staples essay "Just Walk On By: Black Men and Public Space" Staples uses a lot of diction to puts emphasis on the tensions between the black and white races. It was very clear to point out and say that his target audience are the scared white women and people that get frightened when they see a person of color. Staples knows that there are good and bad black people but regardless of what he thinks of himself others will always look at him different. So to change their ideals he uses strong diction to get them to feel different.
Brent Staple created a powerful essay which appeared in Ms magazine in 1986 which pointed out that people are quick to assume another’s character based on race and appearance; furthermore, he was effectively able to get his point across through his style of writing which could throw the readers for a loop with his strong diction, the author’s ability to relate to most of his audience through personal experience, and by motivating the readers using outrage or appealing to their emotions. Staple’s style of writing, especially in the opening, can effectively draw and keep the audience hooked long enough for the readers to comprehend his message. His opening statement: “My first victim was a woman” uses strong diction to establish a dark serious
These devices ensure the audience’s attention and understanding, rather than a lack of sympathy or interest. His devices also connect the audience to the issue and makes them understand the depth of misrepresentation. Staples in his own way is able to show how preconceived notions are cruel generalizations of large groups of people, and a constant plague to the african american
A “Black Man and Public Space,” by Brent Staples was written in 1951 about his experience of being a black man in different public areas. Staples throughout the story makes it a point to emphasize the gender and race of the different people he encounters. He uses the word victim to describe his first encounter which has a very racial and stereotypical feel towards him. The issue Staples has with this is that as a reader I, a Caucasian/Mexican female, relates more to the white woman or the victim.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s varies surveys on the discrimination of blacks, hispanics and whites, it appears that black people face the more discrimination in daily life, media, and representation in society than other ethnicities. In Brent Staples’ “Just Walk on By” he focuses on how that discrimination has affected him personally. He also talks about the various stereotypes and how people react to seeing him. Through Staples’ article he creates a persona that invokes compassion in the audience. He wants readers to understand his life and how he was treated, but on the other hand he doesn’t only focus on himself.
Hsiang and Staples may be writing about two different instances regarding different races, however, in both stories the discrimination is caused because of what the victim of this stereotyping was
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee contains various examples of racism and prejudice throughout the novel. The story takes place in the 1930's, a period when racism was a part of everyday life. Prejudice and racism in this book are represented by acts of hate towards others because of the color of their skin. In this novel, prejudice and racism was dominantly pointed towards blacks. Acts of racism can be discreet to the point that you can easily miss them.
These many examples provided by Brent proved these exact points and showed the belitting of African Americans within Americas society. These examples of being viewed differently due to a skin color are what have made African Americans in a way
Baldwin’s solution for black people is for them to create their own identity and take a stab at achievement regardless of the social requirements or constraints set before them. For, “You can only be destroyed by believing that you really are what the white world calls a nigger". I was fascinated by the comparison of “Letter to My Son” by Ta-Nahisi Coates to that of Baldwin’s. Although they both bring forward the same topics and issues faced by the black community, however they both do not view the problem in the same way, as far as proposing a solution is concerned. For example, Baldwin proposed a solution in which he urges the black community through his nephew to recognize the shameful acts of injustice in America, and express acceptance with love towards the whites even though they may not do the same in
In The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, the author uses aphorisms, deductive reasoning, and a particular use of pronouns to appeal to the reader’s emotions. His purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with him, and he does this by creating a common enemy using these techniques. He appeals to the reader’s emotions, making them feel like a victim of society, and then offering condolence and support. Baldwin uses aphorisms to appeal to the reader’s emotions and persuade them into agreeing with him.
In the documentary I am Not Your Negro about James Baldwin and 13th documentary directed by Ava DuVernay both amplified the injustice of the black community over the years. Each documentary illustrates the current obstacles that are set in place, which perpetuates our oppression. In the film 13th directed by Ava DuVernay explains a well-informed researched look at the American system of incarceration, precisely how the prison industrial complex distresses people of color. Her analysis could not be more timely nor more irritating. The film builds its case section by shattering piece, inspiring levels of shock and outrage that stun the viewer, leaving one shaken and disturbed before concluding a visual memorandum of hope intended to keep us active
A couple problems James Baldwin had faced alongside with other Black Americans was Racial Discrimination between color, Racial violence, racial hatred
Throughout his essay, Staples is able to make the audience understand what he has to deal with as a black man. Staples does this by using words and phrases such as, “...her flight made me feel like an accomplice in tyranny” and “... I was indistinguishable from the muggers who occasionally seeped into the area…” (542). By writing and describing how he (Staples) feels, the audience is able to get an inside look into how black men are treated and better understand why society’s teachings, play a vital role in how we see each other. Staples’ powerful writing also allows the reader to take a step back and see how as a society, people make judgements on others based on appearance alone.
Author and editorial writer, Brent Staples acknowledges this issue as well as experience many situations in which people distinguish him from others. Brent Staples message in his essay titled “Just Walk On By” is conveyed to the audience through many rhetorical devices in which he suggests that stereotypes of race and gender can impact someone 's life in the easiest ways. Brent Staples use of pathos creates an emotional connection and pulls the reader into his essay, through his anecdotes and diction. His intro paragraph tells an interesting story, in a way that readers often forget what type of passage they are reading. Staples uses of phrases such as “my first victim”, “seemed menacingly close” “picked up her pace” and notably “running in earnest” (1-2).
“I never hear one word about how Asian immigrants were among the first to turn California’s desert into fields of plenty. [...] I never learned that Asian immigrants were the only immigrants that were denied U.S. citizenship even though they served honorably in World War I.” (Ji-Yeon, Paragraph 4) This example, while it connects specifically to the author was not as effective in persuading the audience due to Asian Americans being a very small, lesser studied minority in America, but the author really hits the mark when she speaks of how underrepresented black Americans are in history textbooks. “I never learned that black people rose up in arms against slavery.”