African Americans and the Media Today the media portrays African American males as hoodlums and thugs. The racism present in today’s media needs to be addressed and dealt with. African Americans suffer from institutional racism, are misrepresented in the news, and their portrayals on television are based on negative stereotypes that do not accurately portray reality. If there is not a major change in the media’s policy toward African Americans then this negative stereotype will continue to dominate popular opinion and eventually become an uncontested fact. “Television, or specifically media, is not merely a reflection of reality, it is a mechanism for the creation of reality.” (1) History has proven that the ruling classes in any society
Lydia Tawney Mrs. Swift APL 2 22 April 2013 Brent Staples argues in his essay, “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space,” he argues that black men are perceived as threatening, but that’s not the only case. At night, on the street, alone, personally I would be more afraid of black guy walking down the street behind me than a black woman, but I’d be more afraid of the black woman than a white one. Race definitely has an impact on how threatening. Black people are more threatening; a sketchy looking Latina is more threatening than a Caucasian.
Writing Assignments: Staples “Just Walk On By” The whole story is about the author’s experiences of being mistaken for a criminal. Staples describes himself as “the youngish black man—a broad six feet two inches with a beard and billowing hair, both hands shoved into the pockets of a bulky military jacket”(450). People, especially women, run away from him on the street at night because of his threatening exterior. In fact, there have been so many criminal activities have been made by African American, and many women have got mugged by African American. It’s easy to understand why a white woman in his story “After a few more quick glimpses, she picked up her pace and was soon running in earnest.” In most case like this, the majority of the
These reasons are Tom Robinson has an immobile left arm due to an incident in his childhood where his muscles got smashed, Bob Ewell is known as a “town drunk” and when he is drunk he usually abuses her daughter, Bob Ewell is left handed, Bob Ewell would’ve been able to catch up to Tom Robinson when he was running out of the house because he can’t run fast also due to his left arm, the time period of this trial was in the 1920’s to the 1930’s an old fashion time period like this had a lot of racism and discrimination to African Americans, they think of African Americans as dirty people, liars, and cheaters, and the jury was all white. Tom Robinson is not guilty because of the following main reasons; evidence has flaws, the time period of this trial, he was an African American, and the behavior and social structure of the city Maycomb, Alabama. My comment is that Tom Robinson did not have a “fair” trial at all. And we should all be reminded to stand up against racism and stand up for what you think is
Black Men and Public Space In Brent Staples “Black Men and Public Space”, a black man tells his experience with particular individuals in public areas whom fear him based on his race’s stereotype. Staples suggest that people still tend to portray black men as violent and dangerous individuals from racial tendencies without rationalizing and thus causing stress to the victims (black men) because they’re seen as threats despite their true nature. In the past, black men have had reputations that associate themselves with murderers, thieves, rapist etc. thus making people around them feel anxious and/or concerned. The tone from the text appears ironic as Staples uses the words “My first victim” as his opener despite himself being the victim instead of the offender.
Not everyone has a special power to alter public space, but if the surroundings were different then people would probably have a very good sense about what is being said. In "Black Men and Public Space," Brent Staples claims that he is a black man who whenever in public is met with fear from his surroundings because of his racial stereotype. He points out that one can easily change physical behavior and dressing in order to alter public space in a good way or bad way. As Staples says, “Black men have a very bad reputation of being a mugger, a rapist or even worse” (336). Therefore, many people are afraid of them.
Racial Profiling is when a single group or race is singled out and watched closely because the police feel that they are more likely to commit crimes. The example that is most common is “driving while black”. This means that black people are pulled over and searched more often then others. Racial Profiling is currently illegal but it still happens. Racial Profiling is a violation of the people’s civil rights.
Racial and ethnic minority perceptions that the police lack lawfulness and legitimacy, based largely on their interactions with the police, can lead to distrust of the police. Distrust of police has serious consequences. It undermines the legitimacy of law enforcement, and without legitimacy police lose their ability and authority to function effectively This can be tied to racial profiling a major problem in the United States however since some of the recent deaths caused by officers such as the death of Eric Garner because of the apparent use of a “chokehold by an officer, later in Ferguson the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown by Officer Darren, then the shooting of Tamir Rice in Cleveland Ohio, the 12 year old boy playing with a toy pistol and recently the death of Freddy Gray who died while in police custody in Baltimore. These are only some of the most recent issues that have triggered a widespread of unrest. In all these cases, those who have died were black while the officers were white.
Mistreatment of others can become addictive for many abusers. Sometimes it seems like everyone wants to be a part of the mistreatment of Shylock. Antonio and many other merchants frequently criticize and belittle Shylock and his business. They insult his culture and religion. This gossip seriously damages Shylock’s business and reputation.
These cause other people from different racists to look at blacks in a bad way. It also causes society to live in fear, hate and racism. I believe that it isn’t fair how a television show can bring so many thoughts and opinions on black people. Studies state “most people in U.S. society are well aware of the many stereotypes and images surrounding black males.” Television programs should be used to educate and inform the viewers. Most African American shows portray males as violent, dead beats fathers, lazy and gangsters.