In “Black Men and Public Spaces”‚ Brent Staples is in his early twenties and is faced with the menacing crime of being a black man in the 1970’s. As Staples likes to walk the streets at night due to his insomnia‚ every stranger that comes close enough to realize that he’s a tall black man lets their fear take control of them as they avoid him to the point of fleeing. To the eyes of people (mainly women) at night‚ he was no different from any other thug or criminal who prowls the street. Having moved
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7-5-13 Reading Review on "Black Men and Public Space" The Other Side of Racism In "Black Men and Public Spaces" Brent Staples writes about his experiences with racism and how it changes his life. He also helps people who have not been victims of racism understand the effects of their actions whether intentional or not. Staples starts his story by making the reader feel as though he is a criminal when he states "My first victim was a woman" and making us feel compassion for this woman.
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It is true that in Staples’ “Black Men and Public Space” an environment of fear is built by prejudice so much so that it is compared to a “bear country.” Our choices to be prejudiced to those few who are different in our community negatively affect us all. These choices have their consequences and these consequences will have to be met by the affected. Our inclinations to give into prejudices negatively impact our community because it reinforces bias‚ continues a cycle of ignorance‚ and sets a poor
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English 100 Prof. Horna October 3‚ 2012 In the essay “The second shift”‚ by Arlie Hochschild‚ he explains how the wives of two-job families with small children typically work an extra 24-hour day in a year‚ between the pages 145(bottom) and 148(top). I agree with Hochschild’s determination because once women come home from first shift‚ they go straight into second shift. Whereas men come home from first shift‚ and get to pick and
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Brantley 10-20-2010 English Composition 1 Assignment 2.3 Jay Johnson Considering the Formal Writing of Others and Applying What We Learn Part One – Black Men and Public Spaces The purpose of this story is to let everyone know about the stereotypes and opinions made about black men. I had no idea that people really were so scared by black people at night so often. I can understand being scared if you’re walking alone at night. I even get scared when I’m walking alone at night‚ but I don’t discriminate
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EGL101-9:00 Professor Jeanty September 26‚ 2015 Essay 2- 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
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story “Black Men and Public Space” Brent Staples describes the racial discrimination‚ the treatment of black men in the United States. He includes some personal experience and stories of other black people. In his case‚ one particular occasion makes him realize that he‚ like many black men‚ is treated as a potential troublemaker even though he has always been a quiet and smart person. Staples states that black men came to this world with the inheritance-with the ability to alter public space in ugly
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2016 Just another Man From the time African American men were introduced to America‚ they were treated wrong: seen as a treat and abused. Black men have gotten the worst of it all. People stereotype black men as being violent and criminals. However they are not seen for who they really are. Young black men are more likely to be seen this way simply because of their age and color of skin. In the piece Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space by Brent Staples‚ Staples talks about his experience
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Angel Johnson Professor O’Toole Journal #3 20 September 2012 Black Men and Public Space In Brent Staples’s “Black Men and Public Space‚” he describes his ability to alter space. Being a broad‚ tall African American‚ Staples is often feared by others and confused with danger. Staples says‚ “As a softy who is scarcely able to take a knife to a raw chicken - let alone hold one to a person’s throat - I was surprised‚ embarrassed‚ and dismayed all at once. Her flight made me feel like an accomplice
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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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