Please respond to the following questions in a minimum of 5 sentences.
1. How relevant is Staples' essay (written and published in 1986) today? Do you think young black men have the same effect on public space in 2011 as Staples' experienced twenty-five years ago?
2. What IS Staples' attitude about this phenomenon? Is he bitter? angry? disappointed? understanding? (Give evidence). And what IS his purpose? Explore the connection between his tone and his purpose.
3. How does Staples consider and appeal to his audience? Does he avoid alienating or accusing his reader? If so, how?
4. Share your own experiences as they pertain to the essay--when you've instinctively judged someone as a threat, for example, or when you've been perceived as a threat yourself.
5. Explore the idea introduced in par. 2 and reinforced in the analogy of the hiker's cowbell: that "being perceived as a threat is a hazard in itself".
6. What, if anything, can be done to avoid or reduce these incidents? (Where do such assumptions come from? Can we ever stop making snap judgments?)
Respond to TWO of your classmates posts-- add, critique or comment on their ideas. You should have a total of 8 posts.
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ReplyDelete1. Staples’ essay is extremely relevant today. We spoke on this in class, but I really do think that there was a lull, as far as media attention, in the early 2000’s as far as civil rights and race equality. I think that with the political on goings on Ferguson and other incidents, this essay makes itself just as important today as it was almost 30 years ago. Before I realized what year this article took place, I thought it was present day. I was surprised to find out otherwise- it sounds like something that could be happening today.
ReplyDelete2. Staples’ attitude towards this is surprising to me. He mentions choosing to smother the rage he feels about this. He focuses on making others feel comfortable instead of himself- which I think is pretty remarkable. He goes above and beyond to make other people feel comfortable and less threatened. I think that really says something about his character and him as an educated man.
3. Staples appeals to his audience in one very strong way. He’s writing to a women’s magazine. He’s shedding light to an issue that many women, of all races even, may not even realize exists. He has considered his audience very carefully and I think by explaining his own experiences and not just laying down facts, it helps come off not as accusatory. He’s letting them know how he feels as a well-educated Black man without placing the blame on them because he also understands where the stigma comes from, growing up in an extremely rough area.
4. I think we can all be judgmental people, no matter how hard we try. I know that from my personal experiences, it may happen even instinctively and subconsciously. If I were walking down a dark New York City street at 1am by myself, and someone turned the corner behind me, I would probably pick up the pace without even realizing it. However, I don’t think that race plays a part for me in particular. I think I would feel uncomfortable if a man of any race, or stature, walked down the block without even realizing it. And I do think that it is a shame that we feel this way.
5. When Staples’ says “being perceived as a threat is a hazard in itself” I think he’s speaking on how it would make someone being perceived as said threat feel. It’s a hazard because of the anger it would cause that person. They would get angry for being thought of as a threat and that would in turn, make them a threat. It becomes hazardous to the close people around them. The people that they are supposed to be feel comfortable with and around. They would start acting out in other places if they could not get a hold of their anger and smother it like Staples’ has talked about doing.
6. I’m not sure that anything can be done to avoid these incidents completely. It’s been going on for 30+ years and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. People are who people are and trying to change us as a whole is a hard task. Assumptions like this come from many places, such as the media, what we were taught when we grow up, etc. I would love to see all people evolve int better human beings and humans who don’t look at skin color and immediately get defensive or hateful, but I don't see that happening any time soon.
“being perceived as a threat is a hazard in itself” Could also be thought of judging a book y its cover
DeleteWe share the same thoughts for number four. At least we are all somewhat on the same boat.
Deletei agree with your responses for 4 and 5, but i also think its about how you perceive your surroundings and a mixture of our natural guidance to keep ourselves from potential harmful things. it does become shameful we all feel this way in some shape or form,
Deletei like your response for 1. It shows many point from outside sources
Delete1. Staple’s essay is very relevant because of recent events. In the last couple of years there has been a number of violence and unjustified acts done to black people. So Staple’s essay is more relevant now than ever. Yes, in a way what happened all those years ago is resurfacing. Black young men are once again a threat to society.
ReplyDelete2. Staple’s is outraged and disappointed at society and black people who justify the way we are thought of. It is apparent that staples felt this way because states that to society “I was indistinguishable from the muggers who occasionally seeped into the area from the ghetto” (Pg. 224). What he meant by this is that he is being discriminated against by the color of his skin.
3. Staples brings to our attention a problem that has been evident for years. He explains it clearly and helps us see how it is becoming a problem once again in modern society. No, Staples is blaming the African Americans that purposely put themselves in the category that makes society treat the rest of us differently. He does this by stating in his essay that multiple examples of how black people make this evident.
4. No, honestly I have always been taller than most people by 8th grade and I was always approachable. So no I was never a threat nor did I ever see anyone a threat. Also because I did MMA and I Wrestled back in high school. I would also get in a lot of trouble with the police if I would ever swing first on someone.
5. What Staples stated “being perceived as a threat is a hazard in itself” means that what people perceive us to be is what we become. Also when they accuse us of acting a certain way it makes the rest of us seem the same way. You can also say that thinking of African Americans as a treat can make them a threat. Say this could also mean that if u judge books by the cover they can become the cover.
6. What could be done to stop this is try to encourage African American individuals to stop attempting to fit in the category they are put in. That is all that can be done and if this is executed properly the discrimination will eventually stop. These assumptions come from the ghetto and what happens in the ghetto has a chance to happen anywhere else. Snap judgments will never stop but they can be watered down so that snap judgments won’t become discrimination.
I really liked your answer to number six. While I jumped to conclusions that our society will never change you came out with such a positive solution. I mean anything to stop something so horrible is a win to me.
Deleteyour answers for 1 and 2 are really good examples, but its a shame that even though things like this keep happening. society doesn't do anything about it and shoves it under the rug when its not appealing to the masses anymore
DeleteI agree with your answer to number six, but I also feel that people should be able to wear whatever it is they'd like and not receive hate because of it. If a white male can wear baggy jeans, t-shirt, and a snap back and not receive hate, why can't an African-American male do the same?
Delete1) Staple's essay is very relevant to our modern time. Black men still face this problem on a daily basis. I remember hearing on the news how bad and somewhat racist the stop and frisk officers of NYC were becoming. We claim that we have come so far from the civil rights days but young black men still face racism and stereotyping everyday.
ReplyDelete2) I feel that Staple's attitude is even understanding of the situation. I feel that he just accepts the cruel truth that he is faced with. Its obvious why would he fight back or make a scene against when probably it would just back fire on him and cause him more problems. "I learned to smother over the rage i felt at so often being taken for a criminal" this quote shows how excepting of his reality Staples is. I feel his purpose is to show us all how easily we profile someone based on looks or even skin color.
3) Staple's appeal to his audience is very general. He does not coming out blaming one group of people from judging him and his fellow man. This essay is supposed to show us how easy we judge others and how it can effect ones being. So i feel he doesn't want to fight judgement by judging his audience. All his purpose is is to inform us of stereotypical profiling.
4) Growing up in this city I too have had many times were I glimpse behind me to make sure I am not being followed. Honestly speaking I never do it just based on ones skin color though. If i feel your a threat to me than your a threat. Its because of the vibes or maybe signals that you give me. Doesn't matter if your are black, white, yellow, or even green.
5) What i think Staple's is trying to say is that it is bad being related to danger. That even though he is not a real threat its just bad being considered one. It makes your more vulnerable to blame for crimes in general. It makes you an automatic target just because you seem alarming in some way. It makes innocent men guilty by pure ignorant judgement.
6) Honestly I am uncertain if anything could be done to stop this harsh injustice. Its something programmed in us all to assume the worst of each other. If a solution was so simple than racism and stereotyping would be a thing of the past. In order to change something like this our society would need to change. Which from obvious history takes a very very long time
your answer for 6 is very true and i agree, it is very upsetting how stereotypical society really is
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ReplyDelete1. Staples’ essay with was written in 1986 is very relevant today. Racism is everywhere one goes, wither it is out in public or on the news. Racism has been around since before the history was first written. No, I do not think young black men have the same effect on public space as they did twenty five year ago. People today do not lock their car doors or cross streets when black men are near. People walking usually do not assume black men as mugger, rapist, or worse.
ReplyDelete2. Staples’ attitude is more like embarrassed and ashamed of what kind of reputation other people of the same race have given him. Staples’ says “I was surprised, embarrassed, and dismayed all at once. Her flight made me feel like an accomplice in tyranny. It also made it clear that I was indistinguishable from the muggers who occasionally seeped into the area from the surrounding ghetto.” His purpose of showing his attitude is to distinguish his view between innocent blacks against the violent.
3. Staples’s considers his audience as people who want to hear his struggle and the pain he went through. He appeals to his audience by showing both his views and the people around him during the essay. Yes, he does not accuse the reader of anything. He merely tells stories of experiences he had and leaves it up to the reader to determine what the emotion felt should be. He says different points of views to help show a clear picture of what was going on and how during the time of the essay.
4. I personally do not recall judging someone as a threat. I like to think most people, if not everyone is friendly. For the most part, many people are and I am thankful for that. Also, I do not know if I have ever been perceived as a threat. In Staples’ essay he tells of one time he was walking and perceived to be a mugger by the people around him. I do not think I have ever had a situation like this or maybe just never noticed.
5. The idea introduced in paragraph 2 and reinforced in the analogy of the hikers cowbell that “being perceived as a threat is a hazard in itself” explains how if a person were seen as a threat like Staples’s was in the second paragraph, and the person becomes aggressive then the threat became hazardous. The analogy becomes reinforced because if you perceive a bear as threat before it will attack, then it will become a threat which turns into a hazard. This explains why one would wear a cowbell to help make the bear know that no one is a threat.
6. Some people assume things in certain situations. For example the girl walking in Staples’ essay and he was behind her, she assumed he was going to hurt her but he meant no harm. We could avoid these incidents by reducing where the assumptions come from. In Staples’ youth, African Americans were seen as a threat made by the ones who were violent. This caused people to see all of them as threats.
1. Staples’ essay is still completely relevant in our generation. However, it is all about perception. More often than not people see what they want to see when walking someone or being in a place surrounded by specific kinds of people, they let themselves be sucked into the hysteria of things that should be long forgotten. African-American men continue to have the same effect on public space. In Jersey City it’s very noticeable, now we’re entering an age of boisterousness and people take that as a threat, but everyone is becoming more tolerant toward one another.
ReplyDelete2. In the essay he mentions that he was angry, understandably so, but he chooses to set that aside and think of what other people might think he's doing wrong. Staples decides that he'll go out of his way to make people more comfortable with him and others when walking down the street. Night is associated with danger and thugs and people use specific races and people to target with such associations. With his idea of using classical music as a buffer he also brings force a sense of community and people are more inclined to join in and break from their prejudices.
3. He doesn't alienate any reader, in my opinion. His purposely merely seems to be to educate everyone on offensive actions and hope that addressing the issue he can change the views of many, because not people don't perceive everyone as a threat, but most people perceive specific people as threats. He address that which is uncalled for and in a comfortable way, by using himself as the example. Staples is giving us a piece of himself so we can understand from the view of the offended.
4. Personally, I've always treated everyone as a threat. I walk in solitude, just how I like it. It's a habit of mine to be wary of everyone because not all people are safe. People fear African-American men, but don't acknowledge that a white male could turn on you in the same fashion. My problem doesn't lie with any one race, I'd just rather be on my own without any disturbance.
5. "Being perceived as a threat is a hazard in itself." If you treat someone as though they are a threat, that person could become that threat. Anything could set a stranger off and being offensive in such a manner as crossing when you see them could very well be that thing. Maybe within your action they're anger is so great that they'd want to see real fear in your eyes, with an actual reason. This pertains to everyone, people are friendly to a point.
6. What could reduce these incidents is people being more accepting and letting go of the old ways of thinking. This is a learned prejudice, piled on by countless generations onto our generation by people we're supposed to respect. It's okay to be wary of people, but that's no excuse to scream help when a man taps you on the shoulder to hand you the twenty that fell from your pocket. We can't unlearn being impulsive, but we can unlearn being impulsive in the wrong way.
I definitely agree with you on number 4. My defenses go up even if I don't realize it regardless of race, etc.
DeleteI like your example for question six and i agree that we need to put an end to prejudice notions in society.
Delete1. Staples' essay is very much relevant today; a topic such as racial discrimination will always have a place in society. Yes, I think young black men have a bigger effect in public space because in 2011 you can't miss them. So many controversial issues have surrounded young black men such as police brutality and wrongful death. Twenty-five years ago, black men were considered thugs and miscreants but weren't often approached by people unless they had a badge on.
ReplyDelete2. His attitude about this phenomenon was rage. He is angry because he was considered a threat amongst society for no reason other than his appearance. On page 226 paragraph 2 line 1 he states "Over the years, I learned to smother the rage I felt so often being taken for a criminal." His purpose is to be seen as a regular human being and to be accepted by the very people who think the worse of him.
3. Staples' considers his audience by telling the story from a unique point which is a creative first person. He appeals to his audience by not alienating them but giving them an insight of his every day life. As a reader, you can make your own inferences based on his experiences. He makes sure that the readers can understand his point of view. He does this by, using creative and descriptive words throughout the story when talking about others perception of him.
4. As for my own experience, I rarely judge others as a threat soley based on their appearance. I judge based on body language and actions towards themself and/or others. I go through what Staples' each and everyday of my life. As a commuter, I am frequently on public transportation such as trains and buses, so people react different ways at different times of day. For example, I was coming back from school on a Thursday night and as I walk to Journal Square with headphones in my ears softly mumbling song lyrics, a middle age woman sped up past me. Ironically, we were both on the same train home and that's when I sat back in my seat, quietly laughing to myself.
5. In Part 2, the idea of the cowbells was introduced which was symbolism for a "warning of a threat." This analogy is very significant in this particular story because the author felt as thoug he must let the public know when he's around since he is considered a "threat." The author also adds a very valid point when he says "being perceived as a threat is a hazard in itself." It is indeed a hazard because, you are bringing negative attention to an individual that you know nothing of. This paranoia is what is plaguing our society today because you judges eons and those who may seem "innocent" are actually the threat.
6. To be honest, I don't think there's anything we can do to stop or reduce such things. Like I said, the paranoia that is instilled in people is excessive and there nothing really you can do but raise people with an open mind. These assumptions come from inner fear and maybe even prejudices within a person.
1) Staples essay is really relevant. It has the same effect on public space in 2011 than twenty- five years ago. Staples expresses how African American male men still are being discriminated by the way they dress or seem.Their first impressions on these men hasn't changed and its getting worse.
ReplyDelete2) "I learned to smother over the rage i felt at so often being taken for a criminal” this quote represents the example of how his feelings are towards this matter. Staples feels as though it is unfair that black men get discriminated and get justified as a “bad person trying to hurt someone” he knows its unfair and sadly hes learned to live with it.
3) Staples isn't against any of his readers at all, he has been taken for a criminal for so long that it has gotten to the point where he's used to it. Staples nor other should be judged by the color of your skin.
4) We have all judged, but if i were to feel like im being threatened, i might be feeling threatened by the way you acting towards me. The color of your skin has nothing to d with the fcat of hy i feel threatened. There has been times where i have felt threatened by someone but it had nothing to do with race or ethnicity.
5) “Being perceived as a threat is a hazard in itself”meaning that if we judge without knowing than we can trigger a threat. We might cause the threat by just feeling threatened ourselves
6) This world needs more open minded people instead of ignorance. People come from many society and ethnic backgrounds and race but no matter what we judge based on what we see. Were stuck on the idea that everyone is bad when they’re not all bad. No matter how much time passes but there really is nothing we can do but be more open minded.