Rhetorical analysis of black men and public space by brent staples

Brent is among the African American writers who despise racial prejudice in America. In the article, Staples uses various rhetorical strategies that make the article more appealing to the reader. He describes the experiences that black men go though in public spaces. The article highlights how the retrogressive tendency toward discriminating against other people on the basis of the color of their skin continues to exist in spite of the progress made in society over the years. Staples reveals how black men continue to face discrimination despite their achievements and qualifications in life. In so doing, Staples makes use of rhetorical devices of persuasion to get the audience to take his view on the issue. The rhetorical strategies he uses also help him to effectively put his points across.

He appeals to pathos by sympathizing with the victims of racial prejudice and discrimination and justifying the way they feel. In the article, Staples also provides interesting historical facts on his background such as his psychology doctorate and his work as a journalist. He also uses many effective analogies and metaphors. In addition to that, he was also a journalist in Chicago where he had his “first victim” because of racial stigma against young black men (Staples 1). Although Staples had the credentials, people still failed to look at him in a positive light due to his skin color. Furthermore, Staples tells that "As a boy, I saw countless tough guys locked away; I have since buried several, too"; even though he had it rough during his childhood, he was able to grow “up one of the good boys" (Staples 2).

He appeals to his ethos to show his targeted audience that he had it rough, but he was able to push through tough situations. Additionally, people had a different perception of him without knowing his academic accomplishments and other life experiences. Similarly, using “tyranny” as the word choice highlights the major difference between Staples and how other people viewed him. In other words, he attempts to convince his audience that he was also a victim of this stereotype issue around the 1970s. Because in one section of his essay, Staples indicates that "I could cross in front of a car stopped at a traffic light and elicit the thunk, thunk, thunk of the driver—black, white, male, or female—hammering down the door locks" (Staples 1).

It appears the prejudice was not only displayed by white women, but also “black, white, male, or female” (Staples 1). Since white women were not the only ones to have this stereotype, Staples also experienced unpleasant situations with other people outside his race or gender. Although Staples felt rage for being mistaken as a criminal, he was able to push through this hardship like he had done so in the past. His recent experiences and past experiences allowed him to publish his essay so that he could provide his side of the story. The publication of Staples’s essay showed his audiences that it wasn’t fair for him to get judged without white women knowing his background. In other words, the author relied heavily on his life experiences to show white women that it is not easy to be in his shoes; especially, when his presence was always a sign of fear for others.