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Staples’ “Black Men and Public Spaces” Strays Only Slightly

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Staples’ “Black Men and Public Spaces” Strays Only Slightly
RuthAnn Milbert Instructor: Lynne Lerych May 4, 2010 English 101 Essay Review #2

Staples’ “Black Men and Public Spaces” Strays Only Slightly

Brent Staples’ “Black Men and Public Spaces” narrative is about his realization of the fear that black men instill in persons of non color and his attempts at lessening that fear. Staples’ essay begins him recalling a time where a white woman ran from him simply because he was black. He continues to explain that his intentions weren’t to cause her harm but had just happened to be walking behind her since he couldn’t sleep. Staples refers to publications by Norman Podhoretz and Edward Hoagland who had expressed their views on the same type of fear the woman who ran from him had experienced and although the fear was factually founded it didn’t give much comfort to Staples. Staples explains how black youths, mostly men, were more likely intimidate people because of their upbringing and tells how this generalization led to times where he was judged by color alone and thought to be a threat. After Staples realizes and begins to understand the reasons behind
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