I read this essay before in high school. I experienced the same reaction. The essay made me feel very angry, sad, and misunderstood at the same timer. I know that I am not a black man so I can’t fully see what he is going through. But I am a black woman and have experienced other forms of discrimination.
Brent Staples along with other African-American men have been stereotyped. Nobody likes to be judged before you get to know them. What’s even more insulting is that these are professional black men that are doing something with themselves. The black community is always looked down upon as lazy, ignorant, and criminals (which is not true). But when we are successful, we are not acknowledged. Why did the sales clerk at the jewelry store underestimate him? Because he was black and a man he had no place in a jewelry shop? That in my opinion is an example of ignorance.
I am a young woman so I understand that we have to take safety precautions. Anybody can harm another individual, not just a young black man. Whites and Blacks have done their fare share in committing crimes. A lady should never walk alone at night anywhere. If she has to she must walk at a steady pace and keep a form of protection on her. For example a cell phone, pepper spray, or a stunt gun. This should be done in any neighborhood! Not just the urban community. I’m pretty sure that some blacks are afraid when whites walk behind them. But if we run away people will look at us like we were insane.
