Journalist‚ Brent Staples‚ in his narrative essay‚ “Just Walk on By: Black Man and Public Space” narrates a series of events when he was growing up. Staples purpose is to tell personal stories in chronological order of how he was viewed by society. Other people convey the idea of a black man as a dangerous man in society. By the work of other people stereotypes. He adopts a fearful but apathetic tone in order to appeal to what he is feeling by applying a set of rhetorical devices in his narrative
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The thesis of Brent Staples written piece‚ “ Black Men And Public Space” to me states that in America for a long time‚ we as black men had to deal with racial issues for a long time in this nations most disgraceful time period‚ slavery. Feeling like a criminal all the time is not a good feeling‚ as he stated‚ a white woman made him feel as if he was a mugger or a rapist and “that being perceived as dangerous is a hazard in itself”. This is a chapter in America’s history I know they wished never happened
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In “Black Men and Public Space” Brent Staples utilizes anecdotes or stories as a literary technique to convey by prejudice affected him in his career and as a person in his everyday life. Early on in his anecdote‚ he sets the scene and utilizes descriptive language to evokes a feeling or nervousness and uncertainty from the reader. However‚ he also creates a situation where the reader feels compassion for him. It is evident that women and men pre-judged him based on his race. Although not everyone
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Brent Staples clearly doesn’t like being seen as a threat to people. He seems to know why people feel this way about him‚ but wishes that they wouldn’t. I think it depresses him to think about it. He calls these run-ins with people "the language of fear." I think this very accurately describes how the people communicate with staples when they see him. The people who switch sides of the street so they don’t have to pass him‚ and the woman who got her red Doberman out when he came in to her store are
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Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space Brent Staples wrote this essay with the main theme dealing with fear of stereotypes particularly with African Americans. For example‚ when he wrote‚ “ I could cross in front of a car stopped at a traffic light and elicit thunk‚ thunk‚ thunk‚ thunk‚ of the driver – black‚ white‚ male‚ or female – hammering down the door locks.” The word thunk is used as onomatopoeia showing a harsh tone‚ this also shows the major prejudice even within his own race. Brent
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terrified woman’s foots.." (Staples 336) that shows the foreshadowing of the unknown. In the short story‚ "Black Men and Public Space‚" by Brent Staples‚ is a tragic story of fear and embarrassment. From the first person point of view‚ we are able to observe what the main character; a young black man‚ faces on a daily basis. Being treated and viewed as a prisoner‚ ironically‚ was not how he ended up. While experiencing constant judgement; I believe‚ the black man had a great deal of internal
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being. Brent Staples essay “Black Men and Public Spaces” represents this idea yet it shows the highly negative aspect of how someone responds to who we are. In his case though‚ Staples explains the prejudice side of human nature when they see someone due to our look. He explains of the first time he had an experience with racial segregation he faces as a black person when he is out for a midnight stroll and a white female runs from him due to how he appears. Apparently‚ being a black man in Staples’s
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Reading Response Black Men and Public Space Brent Staples’ “Black Men and Public Spaces” is based on his personal experiences dealing with racism and discrimination. He explains how his past incidents involving racism shaped who he is‚ today. Staples’ experiences made him attempt to conform in a way he hoped he would be perceived as less dangerous. By acting and doing certain things‚ that seemed less “black”‚ he believed people saw him differently. In some ways I don’t agree with Staples’ approach
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straight into second shift. Whereas men come home from first shift‚ and get to pick and choose when to work second shift. Most men wonder why the level of affection is lacking in the home. I believe that the man in two-job families with small children are optimistic about the things that should be done around the house. I believe that they feel because they’re the “dominant” figure‚ that the women are supposed to do the
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“Black Men and Public Spaces” by Brent Staples In the informative essay “Black Men and Public Spaces”‚ Brent Staples describes his own experience growing up black in a racist society and discusses the interaction that take place with people. “The ability to alter public space in an ugly way”(302)‚ through racial stereotypes affected him and many others. Stereotypes affect individuals regardless of race‚ sex‚ or religion. Author Brent Staples states he has been racially profiled on
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