"Black Men in Public Spaces"

While reading "Black Men in Public Spaces" by Brent Staples, I was not surprised that he received the type of reactions that he did. Even decades later, we still struggle with race and gender issues. The reason for this is because of what we are told and shown through media. In pondering why people, specifically Caucasian people, feel particularly intimidated by African American men, I think about the violent nature of rap and hip-hop music. These musicians portray a tough, angry persona displaying violence and hatred in their lyrics. Unfortunately, the lives of many African American men involve a lot of violence and criminal behavior because society has ostracized them into horrible living conditions. This is why African American music, movies, etc can be angry and violent- because they are fed up with the way they have been living. Staples even mentions in his article that he, too, grew up with other young men that were involved in violence, many that were no longer living.

Obviously, just because there is a stereotype that African American men are angry and violent, it does NOT mean that everyone single one of them are. In fact, the majority are most likely loving and kind. Looking at Black Lives Matter, it is evident that there are major stereotypes that need to be crushed. Innocent people are losing their lives because they are being falsely accused of carrying weapons or assumed to be violent. Sharp mentions this phenomenon in his article stating "Where fear and weapons meet – and they often do in urban America – there is always the possibility of death." No one should have to worry about being killed because they are out for a walk and may "disturb" their neighbors!

Even though I am aware of the unjustified racism that unfortunately still exists in our country, my sympathy grew even more after reading Brent Staples personal account of having to adjust the way that he approaches people.