Racism In Brent Staples Just Walk On By

According to all common ways of human principle, there befalls no occasion in which society should allow racism to thrive. Its core fundamentals and ideals stray far too distant from a properly functioning society based on virtue and ethic. Racism, of course, thrives anyway, because human nature blinds the cares of equality and prosperity, which cause people to view those different from themselves as strange, and in turn as lesser. The paramount use of racism in Just Walk On By serves as the root of an overall theme; the quest for the equal treatment of people everywhere. When Brent Staples addresses unfair racial treatment in his experiences, he doesn’t explicitly challenge racism. Instead of bending the ways of his social interactions, he …show more content…
As a twenty-two year old, he describes his encounter with another pedestrian on the street in a reflective context, saying that “To her, the youngish black man - a broad six foot two inches with a beard and billowing hair, both hands shoved into the pockets of a bulky military jacket - seemed menacingly close,” (Staples, 383). Staples makes use of an ethical appeal of his appearance to justify why the lady down the street saw him as a possible threat. While Staples left the lady unnerved with simply his looks, all the actions by the lady proved similar to how society perceived black males at that time; vicious criminals. With this, Staples finally sees the reality behind his culture, stating “It was in the echo of that terrified woman’s footfalls that I first began to know the unwieldy inheritance I’d come into - the ability to alter public space in ugly ways.” (Staples, 383). The stereotype behind black people in general, especially males, finally collides with Staples in a pathological way, leaving him both cautious and …show more content…
As Staples discusses his point of view on the matter, he says “As a softy who is scarcely able to take a knife to a raw chicken - let alone hold oe to a person's throat- I was surprised, embarrassed, and dismayed all at once.” (Staples). With the description of Staples’ true nature revealed, the real-side of him shines against the darkness that white people see him for. In time, Staples learns why the people who fear murderers and muggers also fear him. He puts himself in their shoes, realizing that “It also made it clear that I was indistinguishable from the muggers who occasionally seeped into the area from the surrounding ghetto.” (Staples). The people he faces associate all the black people into that group based off of a couple of small scenarios, leaving Staples just another criminal off the streets.
Racism leaves a lasting impact on society, not all of which bad. Like other civil problems, racism has makes us reflect upon the very essence in the good of human nature. It redefines what it means to be human and what it takes to be a good person, unexpectedly having the effects of virtue on the strangest of ways. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “ You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” and Brent

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