“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences” (Audre Lorde). Immense fear of those of a different race has become such a deep-rooted part of society that it often goes unnoticed in people’s everyday lives. In Brent Staples’ “Just Walk on By”, a black man ponders his power to change public space. Staples speaks of how he deals with the burdens borne by someone who sees himself and is seen by others, as an outsider. Staples fears for his life because with being an outsider, he is in danger every second of the day. Staples has numerous reasons to fear for his life with society deeming him and those akin to him as threatening people. With Staples’ fear building and having to
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“[Staples] only needed to turn a corner into a dicey situation… or make an errant move after being pulled over by a policeman” (1). The possibility of death is higher than average for this innocent journalist with racism being present. Around every corner, he could be walking into a situation that will not end in his favor.
Staples has not been close to death like another black male journalist. This journalist was sent to do a story about a murderer near Waukegan, Illinois, where he was then mistaken for a killer himself. The man is held at gunpoint by the police until he shows his press credentials. Brent Staples states, “Black men trade talks like this all the time” (2). This explains that the mistake made by the police isn’t a freak accident, but more of a racial issue. Staples, being a black male himself, must worry about if the people who are supposed to protect him will do him …show more content…
The American Dream is harder for Staples to achieve because fear separates people into factions and restrains them from grabbing an opportunity when they see one. He must fixate on being someone different to make the people around him feel at ease.“[Staples] began to take precautions to make myself less threatening” (2). He is forced to take preventive measures and avoid people who may fear his race because he fears for his own life. He focuses on modifying his everyday routines contrary to trying to succeed in life. “If [Staples] happened to be entering behind some people who appear skittish, [he] may walk by, letting them clear the lobby...” Staples must rethink and question everything he does so weapons and fear do not meet when he is around. This diminishes his American Dream because it preoccupies him with the extra steps in his daily
“[Staples] only needed to turn a corner into a dicey situation… or make an errant move after being pulled over by a policeman” (1). The possibility of death is higher than average for this innocent journalist with racism being present. Around every corner, he could be walking into a situation that will not end in his favor.
Staples has not been close to death like another black male journalist. This journalist was sent to do a story about a murderer near Waukegan, Illinois, where he was then mistaken for a killer himself. The man is held at gunpoint by the police until he shows his press credentials. Brent Staples states, “Black men trade talks like this all the time” (2). This explains that the mistake made by the police isn’t a freak accident, but more of a racial issue. Staples, being a black male himself, must worry about if the people who are supposed to protect him will do him …show more content…
The American Dream is harder for Staples to achieve because fear separates people into factions and restrains them from grabbing an opportunity when they see one. He must fixate on being someone different to make the people around him feel at ease.“[Staples] began to take precautions to make myself less threatening” (2). He is forced to take preventive measures and avoid people who may fear his race because he fears for his own life. He focuses on modifying his everyday routines contrary to trying to succeed in life. “If [Staples] happened to be entering behind some people who appear skittish, [he] may walk by, letting them clear the lobby...” Staples must rethink and question everything he does so weapons and fear do not meet when he is around. This diminishes his American Dream because it preoccupies him with the extra steps in his daily