Brent Staples

Words: 637
Pages: 3

Brent Staples is an African American male, Born September 13, 1951.He published "Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space," in 1951. He explains that in his life, he has been discriminated against because he is a black man working as a journalist in a predominantly white field. Brent staples show in his thesis that, racism still exists in this world, even though we would like to think we are all equal. Stereotypes of race and sex can influence how people treat you.

Brent Staples begins his essay by making the readers think he is committing a crime, but as a reader, you realize that his essay is based on stranger's reaction to his presence as a black man in America. For example, he stated that one time when he was on assignment for a local paper and just wanted to kill time before an interview; he was mistaken for a burglar as he entered a jewelry store. The owner “excused herself and returned with an enormous red Doberman pinscher”.(P. 88) By bringing out the dog she was not considering the probability that he could have been a customer, but immediately assumed that he was up to no good. The lady assumed he would do something bad to her or the store. Maybe rob her, which means she concluded that he couldn’t afford it or might have
…show more content…
He related ethical and emotional scenarios so he does not seem biased. Throughout his essay, he used rhetorical devices of anecdote, dictation, and ethos to convey his point of view. His purpose was for people, preferably woman to be aware of what can happen when one interacts with people regardless of racial backgrounds, gender, religion or experiences racism. Brent Staples chooses to accommodate people was a good way to cope because it kept him safe. Even though black people are misjudged and treated unfairly because of their race, skin colour and