Just Walk On By Brent Staples Summary

“Just walk On By”, is an article that was written and published by Brent staples in Ms. Magazine to demonstrate the negative views black men receive in America and personal experiences as a black man being stereotyped in society. He chose to submit his article for publication in Ms. Magazine because, according to him, women profiled him the most even though they are against the profiling of their own gender. In the mid 1970’s Brent Staples discovered that his mere presence on the street late at night was enough to frighten a young white woman. Recalling this incident leads him to reflect on issues of race, gender and class in the United States. It is an unspoken fact that discrimination against Blacks often holds back from opportunities in …show more content…
Staples begins his article by sharing a personal story of the time he was placed into the category or stereotyping. He tells us how he has always been discriminated against for being a black journalist working in a white area. As a graduate student at the University of Chicago staples went on a late night walk and accidentally frightened a white woman who had believed he was following her. Staples understand that he changes the environment around him mainly because of the color of his skin. He explains how he has learned how to change his perception or level of threat to others. He accomplishes this by changing his demeanor when he is around others, so that he appears less threatening. Today’s society black men have a reputation of being rapists, murderers and gang members; therefore, many people become fearful when a young Black man is around. I agree with Staples argument that stereotyping all black men and the black community in general essentially makes them victims as well, and I believe women are vulnerable to street violence which cannot be avoided, and young black males are a large percentage of that violence, (Staples …show more content…
Although gender equality has changed some people still believes in some ways it still exists. Today women have equally the same respect as men receive, but as for jobs women’s earnings aren’t the same as men. In our society, women make 78 cents on the dollar compared to their male co-workers. Women are often looked over for things such as getting a raised or being in high authority over people those rewards are given to men instead. Sheryl Sandberg's published an article in business insider discussing negative stereotypes women are continuing to face today. She writes “Unless a woman proves herself to be ruthless, a traditionally masculine trait, men sometimes treat women as if they were gentler, which can undermine their authority.” If a woman were a man they would not be treated this way as if they were