Brent Staples 'Black Men In Public Spaces'

In Brent Staples article Black Men in Public Spaces, he recalled on times that he was perceived as a mugger, rapist, or burglar on the streets because of his appearance. He began by stating that his first “victim” was a white it wealthy woman in Chicago. After she avoided him, he realized that she was frightened by his presence-- large, black and intimidating. Other incidents, which include him being mistaken for a burglar, instilled anxiety to him. He quickly began to try and change his appearance and how others perceived him by whistling while walking down the streets. Staples used these experiences to show how racial stereotypes have reluctantly changed his behavior in order to be perceived by others in a different way. He stated, “I now take precautions to make myself less threatening”, because what person would be frightened by a man whistling Beethoven down the street. He conformed to society's needs and how they

When I am walking down the street and I see a man that I think looks threatening, I typically get my keys ready so in the case that he tries to attack me, I can protect myself. I feel so bad for this man because he has no intention of causing any harm, he is “scarcely able to take a knife to a raw chicken- let alone another person's throat”. This man has to watch everything that he says or does in order to protect himself from other people's judgement. I’m sure it is an awful feeling to have someone be fearful of you without ever even doing anything to them. It’s not fair that he had to be stereotyped like that, but it is human nature to protect yourself from situations that you deem dangerous. I feel that these people that find him threatening aren't necessarily judging him because he is black, but mainly because he seems powerful and threatening. When I am in situations like these, I pay no regard to the color of the person's skin, but more attention to the way they are acting and the way they