Experience of otherness and oppression - Essay Example

Experience of otherness and oppression Introduction While the experience of otherness and oppression are an all present elements of many individuals’ daily lives, they are also elements that exist just under the surface of what most individuals choose to acknowledge. In considering the experience of oppression in 'Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space', Brent Staples presents a first person narrative relaying the experience of fear that many individuals have experienced when encountering him in public. In achieving this effect, Staples sequences his essay in a way to achieve the greatest impact on the reader. This essay considers the ways that Staples structures his essay including the stories he tells about himself and others, the sequence of emotions he describes, and where he chooses to conclude his account. Emotions Throughout Staples' essay there are a number of elements he utilizes to create an emotional impact on the reader. One of the most gripping emotional appeals comes in the very first sentence in his essay when he compares himself to a criminal, with people he encounters on the street his victims. This creates the emotion of revulsion and surprise within the reader as they attempt to discern the true nature of the essay. Staples then reveals that he is simply walking by the individual in public. As the story goes on, Staples utilizes reason to emotionally appeal to the readers sense of sympathy. While many personal stories are utilized in the narrative, Staples also uses elements that are different to achieve emotional effect. For instance, when considering whether he is truly oppressed because of personal perception or because of social perception he discusses features that emotionally appeal to the reader. In these regards, he discusses literature by Norma Podhoretz that talks about how he feared black individuals growing up. Staples sequences this with supporting information to create a balance portrait of the problem, further creating a powerful emotional appeal to the reader. In one of the most telling such quotes Brent states, “Women are particularly vulnerable to street violence and young black males are drastically overrepresented as perpetrators of that violence” (Staples 2). Ultimately, Staples sequences these examples in the narrative in such a way to create evidence that builds towards a compelling concluding account. Personal stories In examining the way Brent Staples sequences his point of view narrative to impact the reader his use of personal stories is an important element. Staples presents a number of personal stories in a sequence allowing one to build on the next in an effort to build an argument that has a powerful effect on the reader. In these regards, Staples presents a number of instances where he encounters individuals alone on a city street who fear him because of his race. These stories are augmented with anecdotes from Staples' life. Two of the most powerful of these are those when Staples discusses instances where he faces extreme oppression and prejudice entering a jewelry store and later when attempting to speak with his editor. These stories are powerfully impactful as they attest to the extremity of the social stigma that has been placed upon him. In many regards, his examples are representative of real world experience, as it would be naïve to not think that women walking down a street at night alone might fear a lone black man (or person of any race for that matter). While these personal stories demonstrate the extreme reactions society has to him and his acquaintance, in some instances it's clear that they are made to sound sensational just for increased reader reaction. For instance, when his friend is nearly arrested at gun point when attempting to interview someone, the scene seems somewhat stilted and hard to believe. It seems clearly an effort to bring attention to the real oppression that does occur. It follows that his arguments are convincing in some regards, while in others they seem to be overly sensationalized. Still, the personal evidence about having to take pains to appear less threatening and the general otherness that pervades his daily existence, functions as a highly compelling portrait of the effects of racial prejudice and stereotypes that underscores that man’s life. Perhaps that is the conclusion to be drawn; namely that the experience of otherness is all pervasive and oppressive in this individual’s daily life. Ultimately, Staples sequences these personal stories in this way to allow one to build on to the next to build evidence that makes a believable and impactful argument. Concluding Account Towards the end of 'Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space' Brent Staples slightly alters the story to reflect a more contemplative tone in an effort to impact the reader though make a universal statement on the nature of racial prejudice in contemporary society. Whereas the majority of Staples' essay presented personal and emotional examples in an effort to demonstrate to the reader the oppressive nature of his existence, and the significant social prejudice he experiences in simply partaking in daily activities, the concluding account demonstrates a coming to terms with the reality of this life. While on the surface, it appears this section has the least impact on the reader, in its subtle implications it is actually a highly compelling aspect of the essay. Rather than rebelling against the unfair aspects of his life, Staples has been forced to accept them and work within them. He states, “If I happened to be entering a building behind some people who appear skittish, I may walk by, letting them clear the lobby before I return, so as not to seem to be following them. I have been calm and extremely congenial on those rare occasions when I’ve been pulled over by the police” (Staples 4). While Staples' concluding account doesn't have the sensational aspects of his personal stories or emotional appeals, in accepting his oppressive situation Staples' is actually screaming out underneath. This is why the conclusion impacts the reader just as much, if not more than the earlier sections. Conclusion In conclusion, it's clear that Brent Staples sequences his essay in such a way to present evidence that builds towards a compelling conclusion. It seems that while Staples began extremely resentful of his situation, through his stories and emotional appeals the reader becomes aware that through experience Staples has come to terms with his situation. Still, with the conclusion where Staples' states that he takes pains to avoid scaring individuals with his presence, the reader doesn't feel he has truly accepted his life, but is merely resigned to living in a racially prejudiced world. References Staples, Brent. "Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space" Read More