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Stereotyping Brent Staples

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This essay is written by Brent Staples, and in his essay he discusses racial profiling that black people go through in public spaces. In the mid-1970’s, Brent Staples discovered such prejudice toward black men for merely being present in public. Staples describes how he could not even walk down the street normally, people, especially women, would stay away from him out of terror.
The way Staples structures this essay emphasizes his awareness of the problem he faces. The essay’s framework consists mostly of Staples informing the reader of a scenario in which he was discriminated against and then following it with a discussion or elaboration on the situation. For example, Staples describes women “fearing the worst of him” on the streets of Brooklyn. …show more content…

Personally speaking there isn 't such a clear line between being cautious from harm by black people based on statistical information or clearly staying away from the likeliness of simple difference in race. The world we live in today is profoundly mixed up with controversial opinions, racists and bigots. It is difficult to assess what are the true intentions for why we choose to disconnect ourselves from an ethnic group. For example, if a defenseless white female is walking down a street alone late at night she will most likely look around and survey her surroundings. If she is alone then she has nothing to worry about because there isn’t …show more content…

Stereotyping has been around forever and will continue to stay, but there are things that can be done which would stop it from being used so often. By informing the public about stereotyping and the problems associated with it people can decide whether they want to participate in something that is looked down on. First and foremost the leaders of the black communities, such as musicians and professional athletes need to spread the word about stereotyping because they have the greatest impact on society. Educating blacks on the stereotypes regarding their lifestyles would allow them to make a conscious effort to behave in a way that would eliminate the stereotypes.
In my experiences I have found that my role models have a huge impact on what I do and how I think. These people influence me to be who I am and add wisdom where I would normally be clueless. The black community is not the only group who needs to be educated about stereotyping, whites need to be educated as well. White people are often the ones using the stereotypes and for that reason they need to be informed of what they are doing. Once the white community realizes what they are doing they can make an effort, just like the blacks, to

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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.

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“Black Men and Public Spaces” Diagnostic Essay Brent Staples in “Black Men and Public Spaces,” illustrates the inescapable prejudices and stereotyping that African-American men face in America. He does this by relating to his audience through his personal experiences with stereotyping, and sharing his malcontent on how these events have made him alter his way of living. From “victimizing” woman, watching people lock themselves away, and having to whistle classical music to calm the nerves of people around him; Staples builds a picture to help people better sympathize and understand his frustration. Although Staples describes himself as a college graduate, a journalist, and a softy in the face of violence, he details that the overall public deems him a dangerous criminal.

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Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space by Brent Staples discusses the relevant issues of racial bias and how prejudice against people of color has embedded minds, as it demonstrates the importance of being aware of how we conceive others. Staples uses a contrasting element of race by introducing a white female and a black male. He uses his experiences and other people of colour to display the struggles of racism they face everyday. Staples reveals how people are prejudice against appearance, despite the importance of individuality of people and being impartial regardless of someone 's skin or looks. The story begins with Staples describing his first experience frightening a white women due to the colour of his skin.

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