Table of Contents
Staples uses structure as a cause and effect
Staples’s Choice of Words: Diction
Imagery: Staples uses Vision
Irony: Staples uses Sarcasm
Brent Staples, an African American man was born in 1951. He received his first Bachelor’s Degree in behavioral sciences from Widener University at the age of 22. Staples graduated from Chicago with a Master’s degree in psychology. Later, he earned a PhD. This article originally appeared in Ms. Magazine under the title “Just Walk on by” in 1986. Staples then retitled the article “Black Men And Public Space” and published it in Harper’s Magazine one year later. At first, Staples seems like just a man discussing unfortunate experiences. The reader can learn more about Staples past and understand his motivations for writing this essay. It examines the unfair treatment he gets simply by being black.
Cause and effect: Staples’s use of StructureStaples is the basis of this whole narrative. He recounts multiple instances where he experienced a reaction that was not justified. The incident that he experienced was during a walk on campus. The woman who witnessed it was very concerned for her safety. He also discusses another incident that occurred when he was late to work at an editor’s office. Some people mistakenly thought he was trying to rob the building. This structure allows Staples to tell his story first and let the reader know what he actually did. This allows the reader to understand Staples’s feelings better. Staples begins his narrative with this sentence: “My first target was a white woman, dressed well, probably in early twenties.” Staples intends to inspire intelligence and curiosity in his audience. Staples is careful in choosing words that do not portray his professional image and that also represent the harshness experienced by these people.
Imagery: Staples uses vision Staples clearly proved himself wrong. However, Staples tries to remind the reader about common misconceptions about African Americans that many Caucasians hold about them. Staples uses expressive words and adjectives to convey sympathy. Staples wants readers to feel what he felt at the time. She gave a concerned glance. Her young black man, a 6’2″ tall man of broad stature, had a billowing beard and was covered in his hair. His hands were jammed into the pockets on a large, bulky military jacket. It seemed menacingly near.” (Staples). Staples’ anger was clearly visible to a woman who tried to avoid him as she walked down the street.
Irony: Staples’s Use of SarcasmThere is subtle irony throughout this text. Staples often uses irony to make things funny and use humor as a form or rhetoric. Rhea means irony because it enhances self-perception. Staples decided that after several nights of being awakened, he would take a stroll around campus. Staples describes the feeling he had when he saw that the woman behind him was becoming more and more afraid. He is not a threat. In fact, he calls himself a “softy” and the woman believed she was being followed by a mugger. But in reality, it was Staples. He was the stereotyped person and she was only the victim of her racist thoughts.
