Black Men in Public Spaces Essay

the young black male in the late 1980s has not changed much in the United States. Brent Staples is able to reveal the truths of racial stereotyping in the United States, and the stigmas placed on young black males with the use of imagery in Black Men and Public Space. Appealing to the readers’ senses allows for better understanding of the time period Staples is writing about. Visual imagery is used to contrast how Staples appears to his “victims” and how these “victims” appear to the public. The fear

Charlotte Giordano P1 Harder Black Men in Public Spaces Men and women alike are often afraid to venture out into the streets at the dark hours of the day. It could be argued that this is a byproduct of the ever-increasing US crime rate, yet it may also be due to the natural fear that accompanies walking alone in public spaces, familiar or not. Although any shifty figures lurking on the sidewalk can be the source of this fear, it is no doubt that the gross misrepresentation of black people as perpetrators

In his article “Black Men in Public Spaces”, journalist Brent Staples discusses how stereotyping has negatively affected him throughout his life, especially during his nightly walks to ease his insomnia. He outlines when he first noticed this occurrence and the steps he has used to minimize the degree of reactions. The techniques he uses to accomplish this are told in a story-like fashion, drawing the reader into the events. He uses powerful descriptions of what he calls his victims. Even his use

Black Men and Public Space What does Staples mean when he says he has “the ability to alter public space in ugly ways” (par. 2)? Provide examples. Staples explains “The ability to alter public space in ugly ways” shows people discriminating towards him. People in his surroundings’ sees him as a bad influence because of his black. He is mistreated in many ways from people thinking he is a mugger and a rapist. Many people tend to misjudge him because he is black. Misjudging can be influenced by how

together it seems like they are completely different from one another; these differences are seen very clearly on the surface but underneath there is one common underlying idea, identity. An analysis of “Working at Wendy’s,” “Salvation,” and “Black Men and Public Space” reveals that all three essays are accounts of the authors through times that have tested their priorities, their beliefs, and even the very essence of their beings. In the essay “Working at Wendy’s,” Joey Franklin tells his story about

My name is Chiamaka Okafor and I am a student at Columbus State Community College. I recently read your essay, “Black Men and Public Space” in the 13th edition of The Norton Reader for my English Composition class. Reading your text, I could put myself in your shoes and know exactly what you were feeling during those encounters. The introduction paragraph was very captivating. The way you talked about having your first victim made me wonder how many victims I might have. The whole essay makes me

“Black Men and Public Space” written by Brent Staples is an essay filled with a great personal experience and literary elements. The essay is about Brent and how he grew up with racism all around him. Brent is a tall black male and many people judge him how he looks and become scared when he passes by, thinking that he will mug them. Brent explains his struggles and experiences throughout the essay using many literary elements. Brent writes his essay in first person, he continually uses pronouns

While reading the story of “Black Men and Public Space” by Brent Staples and “Mommy, What Does ‘Nigger’ Mean?” by Gloria Naylor, it became clear that people of color suffer from this ignorant mindset of others. It got to a point in which people of color did not know how to react or even look, while walking down the street, such as Staples. Other commonalities perceive people of color had faced were attaching the word ‘Nigger’ to people of color, or mistaken a Black male as a criminal. All of these

their message to their audience. The reason why I chose Brent Staples’ Black Men & Public Space, is because out of all the handouts/articles given in class I had written the most annotations and analyzed this piece more than any of them. So I had a personal attachment to it. I enjoyed the author’s persona in his writing. That beginning paragraph where he wrote from the perspective of a hunter, to his experiences as a black man, to the methods he utilizes to stay out of danger. The tone he uses

essay Black Men in Public Spaces, Staples discusses the reality of what it is like to be a black man in modern society. Staples first recollection of falling victim to racial stigma was in the early 1970’s when he was out walking late at night which scared a young white woman. This was the day he realized he could change the feeling of public spaces with only his presence. Through this piece, Staples brings light to the topic of racial stereotyping and the affect it has on many black men while in