chose to use the response approach of ignoring the views and the defending actions of the people whom he met. He writes‚ “Over the years‚ I learned to smother the rage I felt at so often being taken for a criminal” (Staples 397). He even started making some attempts of calming down the people he considered were apt to be afraid of him. He kept distance with the people and moved carefully in order to avoid being mistakenly regarded as a criminal. His strategy was implementing the understanding the
Premium Stereotype Sociology Stereotypes
Brent Staples uses vivid language and rhetorical devices to express and convey the elements of fear‚ anger‚ and violence. We all make many decisions based on past experiences. That’s how we learn to avoid touching a hot stove burner for example. It’s also about how we learn to do things that bring us pleasure. So we all develop discriminating behavior‚ but when that discrimination is based purely on the color on that person’s skin‚ or his ethnicity‚ without knowing anything else about that person
Premium Discrimination Black people Rhetoric
Through Toni Morrison’s short story “Recitatif” and Brent Staples’ essay “Black Men and Public Spaces”‚ we see the similar topics of nonverbal communication and stereotypes. Through his use of a cowbell metaphor‚ and her use of handshake imagery Staples and Morrison explore the theme that nonverbal communication and stereotypes can affect how people act and are viewed in society. After living in New York for a few years‚ Staples learned to take precautions‚ so as not to seem threatening. He would
Premium Race Black people African American
Jiacong Pan English Feb.16‚ 2016 Ms. Sierra Rhetorical Analysis Essay Among all the emotions people have‚ the most multifarious is fear because fear can be spread much faster than most emotions. Literally‚ people define fear “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous‚ likely to cause pain‚ or a threat ”. However‚ the delusion of endangerment can cause racism of misunderstanding. Particularly‚ Most people identify fear based on their stereotyping‚ prejudice
Premium Race Black people African American
The article‚ Mr. Bellow’s Planet by Brent Staples centers how Staples lived in Chicago as well as his inspiration to become a journalist. The article had a lot of attention grasping moments‚ however‚ I was confused about the structure and the message of the profile. For example‚ in the beginning of the article from pages 179 to 184‚ the article describes the neighborhood in which the narrator lived in as well as how many people feared him. The rest of the article‚ illustrates different characters
Premium First-person narrative Narrative
Public Space‚” Brent Staples discusses the development of standard stereotypes that can not just affect the actions of the victim‚ but the suspect. Throughout the essay‚ Staples describes himself in a sequence of events‚ and proceeds to tell the readers how people around him react. Brent Staples was a tall black man and always faced the same reaction when walking the streets during his late night strolls. People that were walking late as well especially white women would avoid Staples either by crossing
Premium African American Race Black people
Comprehension Staples labels the women a “victim" with a sarcastic tone. Because Staples has been accused time and time again of being a criminal by the basis of his skin color‚ he is starting of the paper by having the reader assume he is a dangerous person‚ but in reality he is not. When Staples says he has the power to "alter public space” he explains that there have been several instances in his life where his presence has changed the atmosphere‚ in a public space. For example he mentions an
Premium Sociology Crime Criminology
In “Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space”‚ Brent Staples explains the impact he has on other people just for being an African American man. Writing for an audience of black men who have experienced discrimination. With a wise‚ inoffensive voice‚ but somewhat of a neutral tone‚ the author uses figurative language‚ writing techniques and diction to explain his purpose of writing this essay to explain to his readers of his past experience of being a black man in public
Premium Race Black people African American
the world has a type of symbol attached to them. Brent Staples‚ author of “Just Walk on By‚” addresses this topic through his own personal experiences. Staples builds his persona through the use of rhetorical devices such as imagery and personal anecdotes. Additionally‚ the author uses pathos to further his message and express his thoughts on the interpretation of symbols in today’s world. Through his establishment of a persona and pathos‚ Staples shows his audience how people judge at a single glance
Premium Anecdote Anecdote Human
101-1035 30 October 2012 Just Walk on By In Brent Staples’ essay‚ “Just Walk on By” the author describes his experiences‚ feelings‚ and reactions towards the discrimination he has faced throughout his life as a black man. Staples describes several different personal experiences of when he felt that he had been judged or discriminated against by other people based on the color of his skin and how that contributed to his overall appearance. Staples has continuously been perceived as a danger or
Premium Discrimination The Reader Literary devices