Racial Profiling Then and Now Essay Example

the University of Chicago to starting a life in New York. Throughout his experiences, Staples found it difficult to navigate society as a black man and constantly felt unfairly seen as a criminal. Despite his anger, he kept it hidden as to not disturb others, but this is the unfortunate reality of America both then and now. The effectiveness of Staples' essay lies in his ability to compel the audience to understand the daily struggles faced by black men. He achieves this through the use of vivid language and personal anecdotes, effectively demonstrating that the issue he addresses remains relevant today.

In his essay, Staples discusses the prejudice faced by black men from both white men and women. He begins by recalling an encounter with a white woman, whom he refers to as his "first victim" (Staples 362). Although this choice of words may lead readers to falsely perceive him as a criminal, Staples intends to shed light on the daily challenges endured by black men. At only twenty-two years old and recently starting graduate school at the University of Chicago, Staples encountered discrimination for the first time. Despite growing up during a violent era marked by gang violence and crime in the 60s, Staples managed to avoid trouble and associate with law-abiding peers. He reflects on his survival amidst such adversity in subsequent passages.

According to Staples (363), he grew up as a well-behaved individual, and in retrospect, he understands that his aversion to violence originates from personal experiences. During his childhood, he witnessed the incarceration of many tough individuals and even had to bury some of them. This demonstrates that Staples had friends and family

members who engaged in criminal activities, but he consciously chose to distance himself from that path. By referring to himself as one of the "good boys," Staples intends to convey that he was never inclined towards aggression. It is therefore disheartening for the audience to witness someone like him, highly educated and without any criminal record, being unfairly targeted as a criminal. While acknowledging that not everyone harbors hostility towards black men, Staples emphasizes the vulnerability of women who may be more susceptible to assault due to their relatively weaker physical strength compared to men.

Staples asserts that women are vulnerable to attacks both during the day and at night, a fact he acknowledges. He highlights young black males as frequent perpetrators of such violence. Nonetheless, he also recognizes that this truth does not excuse the social isolation and fear experienced from constantly being perceived as a potential danger. Staples deems it unjust to avoid making eye contact with individuals solely based on their race or gender. He emphasizes that while crime among black males is an issue, it is unfair to treat all black men as criminals. Staples comprehends that for peaceful coexistence, he must be more mindful of his own demeanor.

According to Staples (364), over time, the author has learned to suppress the anger they feel from frequently being mistaken as a criminal. They believe that not doing so would have driven them mad. To protect themselves, they now take measures to appear less intimidating, especially when out late at night.

Staples stated that he must alter himself for the sake of white individuals, ensuring they do not feel threatened when he walks down the

street after dark. The issue he addresses is the irrationality of white people reacting defensively, which only deepens racial divisions. Staples' essay remains relevant to countless black men today, as he shares personal stories to compel the audience to understand the daily struggles they endure. Through his writing, he helps people recognize the flaws in their current perceptions of others, with the hope that such biases will be eradicated in the future.