“Black Men and Public Space” is an essay about Brent Staples’ personal experiences with stereotypes. Small behavior changes, such as crossing the street to avoid someone, or a hurried pace, barely noticeable to the casual observer, can have a profound effect on an individual. Though sometimes justifiable by fact, the pain caused to the individual is not easily remedied. The apprehension, surprise, and disbelief felt can be handled in many different ways. Where some would get angry and retaliate, the author decided to set aside personal feelings and receive the mistrust with understanding. Taking this acceptance one step further, the main character decided to spread awareness, by whistling well known classical music, to alert others he was no cause for alarm. Revealing an author’s true position on heavy issues can be an arduous task, especially when the composition is riddled with sarcasm and dry humor. However, by analyzing the persona, structure, and values inherent in this essay, Staples’ true feelings can be inferred.
Reviewing the construction of this text, several conjectures can be made about the author’s emotions regarding the topic of stereotypes. Citing several different specific examples from personal experience, along with some instances of the prejudgment of others, Staples is able to convey that these were not merely isolated incidents. By bringing attention to these supporting testimonies, a feeling of passive irritation is clearly apparent. The style of essay selected also speaks volumes about the author’s sentiment on the subject. Choosing to write in a meditative manner, the author furthers this perception of docile anger, allowing readers to reach this conclusion by insinuation rather than making a direct statement. In the passage, “…I grew accustomed to but never comfortable with people who crossed to the other side of the street rather than pass me,” personal reflections are used, as opposed to generalizations, to create an air of...