Prejudice1
Although the fight to stop racism has made huge strides since thirty years ago, racism is still alive and well today. Racism has become such a deep-rooted part of society that it often goes unnoticed in our everyday lives. In Brent Staples' "Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space," and Austin Clarke's "A Stranger in a Strange Land," both authors speak of how they deal with the burdens borne by someone who sees himself or herself and is seen by others, as an outsider. Although both Staples and Clarke face this problem, the two respond to the dilemmas they face in different ways. By engaging in simple tasks such as taking a late night stroll, Staples automatically becomes subject to others' racism and fear. His everyday life is under continuous scrutiny by a white society that both fears and misunderstands him. Staples introduces the very extent to which society fears black people in the first sentence. On a late night saunter, his "first victim [is] a woman - white, well dressed, probably in her early twenties." Fortunately, in reality, the woman is not the victim of any black on white racial violence; but, unfortunately, Staples is the victim of white racist presumptions about his character
Both Staples' and Clarke's essays are well written. Clarke, however, is blinded by "the absence of roots and ruins" surrounding him, which prevents him from becoming a part of society. I was very interested in Staples' first hand experiences in dealing with racism. He may meet others, who feel just as "hollow" as he does, and perhaps, he might even find a new "river" to call home. Staples "[learns] to smother the rage [he feels] at so often being taken for a criminal," for he knows that if he fails to do this, he will only go insane. Staples, on the other hand, feels that violence is caused by "the male romance with the power of intimidation. " Brent Staples"A stranger in a strang land" Austin Clarke. Clarke, contrasting from Staples, never speaks of any public encounters with other members of society; he only speaks of interactions from his past in Barbados. " In an act to overcome this violence consuming him, Staples decides to integrate himself into the world around him. " This "rootlessness" is what Clarke feels drives many immigrant youth to violence. However, if I were able to make a suggestion, it would be for Clarke to start experiencing life in Canada. " Fortunately, this is nothing like Staples, who ventures out into the world, whistling "sunny" tunes. He chooses to change his routine to make society comfortable, as to not be a menace to anyone. Clarke's essay presents a totally different outlook on life.
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Acceptance Essays
