Black Men in Public Space Reflection

Diego E. Ruiz Ruperto

Professor Cynthia Pittmann

Intermediate English 3103 -134

30 January 2018

Black Men in Public Space Reflection

Brent Staples’ essay, Black Men in Public Space makes reference to a race gap that has been present for hundreds of years in history and today. I believe race gaps are caused by generalization. As Brent Staples said, he grew up in a small town full of gang warfare, street knifings and murders. He had a half-dozen fist fights and he was considered a “good boy”. These communities create cycles that are hard to get out of, which is what he did. Brent Staples went on to become a better person by continuing his studies to a university level. While studying, he felt the race gap when being in a public space. People would confuse him with burglars or think he was going to attack somebody. That perception of people doesn't happen from one day to another, for hundreds of years black people were held back with slavery and segregation which blocked and denied opportunities to their communities. These factors are the one that add up to them living in towns like the one Brent Staples was raised in, one where half a dozen fist fights, gang warfares, street knifings, and murders are a normal. Truth is that many people could be afraid of seeing a big person walking behind you on a dark path with their hands in their pockets, regardless of their color. In the story he narrates, his “first victim” did not run because she saw a black man, she ran because she was alone, on a dark trail, defenseless against anything. I don't blame her, one has to expect the best but plan for the worst and the worst doesn't have to do anything with color. In a case like this one, many people could see an animal and start running.