The Ability to Alter Public Space

JACK C BUSCH
DR G MITSIS
ENC1101
07 JUNE 2011
ESSAY # 1

The ability to “alter public space” can often be a negative reaction by society guided by fear and prejudice as depicted by Brent Staples’ in his essay “Just Walk On By”. But can one’s appearance “alter public space” in a positive manner? Because of his appearance as a young, burly, six-foot-two black man with a beard and billowing hair, Staples is perceived by others to be violent or a criminal. Staples could use his appearance as a positive influence. Examples of this could include safety and security; coming from a violent background, Staples has broken the stereotype by not succumbing to violence, therefore he may influence others that violence need not be the product of violent surroundings. In my experience, I have known people to have a very positive impact on society regardless of appearance and stereotypes. One such example is Darrell, whose appearance benefits him in his career in law enforcement, or my friend RJ, who came from a poor background and now helps society to battle drug addiction. Staples states the general stereotype society places on an individual and the negative impact on that society but this need not be the case. One argument of safety and security might be seen in the opening paragraph whereby Staples encounters a woman who, because of fear and prejudice based solely on his appearance, instantly assumes he is a criminal to be avoided. Staples might offer to escort the woman and help her to arrive safely at her destination. Once she finds that he is perhaps a kind and helpful person, he could then be seen as her protector from that element that occasionally came into the neighborhood from the ghetto. Because of his appearance, she would be made to feel safe and secure; any outsiders would likely not want to approach her with Staples by her side. This could also dissuade the woman’s perception of Staples being violent or a criminal. Staples could even become perhaps a part of a neighborhood watch program, which may give the community a feeling of safety and security. Comparatively, a prime example is my niece’s father Darrell who, like Staples, is a rather large six-foot-five, 280 pound black man. Like Staples, Darrell came from a tough neighborhood and had to fight his way out to break the stereotype of the violence. Many have referenced his appearance as one that is very intimidating and have thought of him as “one wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley”. The reality is that Darrell is a man of peace and once the stereotype is put aside, he is a rather likeable person. Darrell is a member of law enforcement as a Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy. He has a proud record of never having to fire his weapon in 14 years of service and was even issued a commendation by Sheriff Bob White in 2005. He now serves as a detective and is a very formidable weapon in the fight against drugs in Pasco County. In my opinion, this is a man who, despite his appearance, would be considered to have a very positive impact on our society. Staples has also shown himself to be a positive result from a negative stereotype in that he has not succumbed to the “mugger” stereotype of the New York literature such as the essays quoted. He even finds himself stereotyping black men in the 1960’s as a result of this literature, and as a result became more passive. Another example of this is that Staples grew up in the midst of the violence of gangs, street fights, and murders and therefore shied away from violence. He notes that many of the boyhood friends he grew up with became locked away or even found death as result of their need for power and being seen as “tough guys”. Because of his ability to break away from this violent past, Staples can be seen as the positive role that one may take in society, regardless of stereotype. As this positive figure, Staples may use his influence to bring peace to the warring communities where blacks fight even amongst other blacks. Because of his appearance, he could feel some degree of safety entering into the violent neighborhood of his youth. The stereotype of being a burly six-foot-two black man would actually play in his favor in his boyhood neighborhood. In the same way one of my close friends, RJ, is a good example of one who grew up in the streets and in spite of his past, now helps others through treatment and law enforcement. Having close relations to law enforcement, I have come to know a number of individuals who have devoted their lives to bettering our community. RJ grew up as a troubled teen. He was involved with gangs and drugs from the time he was 13 years old until serving time for drugs at the age of 19, until his release at the age of 22. That was 12 years ago. Since that time, he has strived to escape the ways of the past and create a new life for himself. RJ has used his past experiences to help others see that anyone can turn their lives around; coming from drug-infested violence doesn’t guide one’s entire existence. After his run-in with the law, he put himself through school and achieved his degree and now serves as a counselor in a drug rehabilitation center. Many people becoming involved with the legal system are sent to him for group counseling while they are in pre-trial drug courts. This helps a great deal of individuals to get help to learn a better way of life and keeps many out of the prison system. RJ has great success rate of helping others not to become another statistic of drugs, prison and death. In conclusion, though stereotyping of his appearance has made him apprehensive towards others in the past, Staples can find ways to make his ability to defer others away from him to be positive. Staples can use his appearance to defer others away from him as a technique for securing a perimeter; because of his stereotypical appearance, he can enter areas others dare not tread; Staples can also provide an example to influence others from the ghettos that their life need not be one of violence, jails, and violent death. Examples can be seen in the way Darrell provides a great deal of safety and security to the community and RJ has turned away from the life he grew up with to help others do the same. The ability to alter public space can be seen to have a definite positive influence on society, not merely because of one’s appearance or stereotype, but in one’s ability to break away and release the past and use their ambition to better themselves and their community.