Brent Staple’s “Just Walk on By” brought something incredibly depressing to my attention. After the Obama election I truly felt our country had, on some level, moved passed these stereotypes and prejudices. Reading this piece made it very clear that despite our obvious progress there is still a stigma many are fighting against. Staple says that he understands that many crimes are committed by African Americans, but that is no reason to fear anyone walking down the street commit many crimes. It is really sad that in order to be seen as non-threatening Staple has to go to great lengths. He even distances himself to make those around him more comfortable. No one should have to change their lifestyle in order to not be perceived as a threat, which is only there because of the color of their skin. It is sweet, for lack of a better word, that Staple has gone through these injustices in such a calm manner, but, again, he shouldn’t have to. There was one redeeming quality in the content of Staple’s piece, and that is music’s ability to calm and bring people together. Staple talks about how, when feeling particularly judged, he hums classical music. This can be perceived as another way in which to stereotype people. Didn’t that guy from Silence of the Lambs listen to classical music? Oh, and he was white. Cynicism aside, I find this really beautiful; especially the part where he says people occasionally chime in.
It’s a funny cycle when you think about it. In a book titled “Freakonomics” by Levitt and Dubner at one point they talk about how African Americans are brought up in a society that fears them and expects a certain type of characteristics and that these expectations are ingrained in many African Americans causing bitterness, which, eventually, causes more violence. If a generation (hopefully ours) can establish a new attitude towards African Americans, if we can create a different set of expectations (such as becoming PRESIDENT), then maybe this cycle can be stopped.
At this point there is no excuse for this type of behavior. Let’s be honest, if someone is going to mug you they’re going to do it whether you smile at them and say “Hello” or whether you walk briskly on by, crossing the street before you’re forced to interact.
1 comment:
Response to Kirsten:I agree that its really beautiful that everyone can come together through the power of music. I though it was so funny when he said that he would whistle classical tunes to calm peoples nerves. Personally, if i saw someone and heard someone walking down the street whistling a tune like that i would probably start laughing. I wouldnt be laughing in a mean way though, more in a happy way. I would porbably come to the conclusion that whoever was whistling was a pretty cool person. And about your comments on people steretyping him thinking he was a sketchy figure - i hate to say it, but i would probably do the same thing. However, i wouldnt be feeling threatened because he was an african american. i would act that way regardless of color or race.
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