In the essay “Just Walk on By”, Brent Staples explores the impact of discrimination on his life as a black man. He shares various personal experiences where he felt judged or discriminated against solely because of his skin color, which greatly affected how he viewed himself.
Staples has constantly faced prejudice and stereotyping due to his race, resulting in numerous uncomfortable encounters. In order to avoid being incorrectly perceived as a threat, he has had to take precautions while out in public. Staples’ essay highlights the impact of discrimination on his life and employs various literary devices to further illustrate his perspective.
The essay clearly expresses Staples’ stance on discrimination, highlighting how he has been unfairly treated due to his skin color and appearance. Although discrimination is a sensitive topic that is often avoided, Staples employs a light tone and humor to effectively convey his message. He skillfully incorporates irony and adopts a friendly approach to address the more serious aspects, making it more digestible for the audience.
In the opening, Staples humorously mentions how he unintentionally labels a woman he encountered as his “victim,” even though this is not what he intends. The woman quickly assumes he is a mugger, leaving him feeling embarrassed and ashamed. He further presents himself as a timid individual by explaining that he can barely handle cutting a chicken with a knife, let alone inflicting harm on another human being. Through his humorous approach, Staples lightens the mood surrounding the challenging subject of discrimination, making it more accessible for readers.
The author employs a diverse array of metaphors as a literary tool, skillfully integrating them for impactful and unforgettable effect. Comparing himself to a shadow, he vividly portrays the negative perception that others have associated with him. He finds himself unable to shake off the perilous persona that has been thrust upon him. Subsequently, he likens his whistling to cowbells, employing it as a cautionary signal for those in his vicinity. Staples expertly whistles sophisticated melodies to mitigate his menacing image. The use of metaphors is a widespread and highly successful technique in literature.
When metaphors are used as a literary device, they instantly create a vivid picture in the audience’s mind and make it easier to imagine the main character. By comparing himself to a shadow, the reader immediately connects with the protagonist’s personality. While the character may appear timid, it becomes evident that there is another side to him that not everyone is aware of. The use of metaphors in this essay helps to bring a lighthearted tone and adds playfulness throughout. Additionally, the author also incorporates frequent imagery.
The reading effectively allows the reader to imagine the different scenarios and visualize Staples in various places and interactions. The author’s portrayal of people’s reactions and facial expressions when encountering Staples is particularly impactful and memorable. Actions can reveal a person’s true response, and a sudden change in facial expression is often a clear sign of how someone reacts to another person.
In his essay, Staples uses powerful imagery to depict the nervous and terrified expressions he encounters. This imagery helps readers understand why he believes people discriminate against him and fear him due to his skin color. Staples intends for readers to sympathize with him, making his storytelling even more impactful.
It appears as though he portrays himself as the perpetrator in all of these scenarios. He takes measures to appear blameless, avoids situations that could cast him in a negative light, and provides those who are passing judgment on him with a simple excuse. Staples discusses individuals of different races who were raised in his vicinity and observes that a significant number of them wind up incarcerated. He informs his listeners that his own skin color greatly outweighs the influence of white skin color when it comes to criminal activities. By mentioning this, he compels his audience to reconsider the significant impact of skin color.
However, by acknowledging these facts, he presents himself as even more innocent, and it becomes almost impossible for readers not to sympathize with him. Due to witnessing numerous individuals of the same racial background as him ending up in prison or facing even worse outcomes, he comprehends the reasons behind people wrongly assessing him. Additionally, he genuinely appears not to hold any resentment towards them for the misunderstanding. The way he responds to such situations further supports his cause. He frequently experiences feelings of shame or guilt, as if it were his own fault that these individuals he encounters are apprehensive about making eye contact.
Despite feeling sympathy for the people who unjustly prejudge him, the writer realizes that their negative perceptions are not his responsibility. Nevertheless, the repeated occurrences of being mistaken for a criminal leave him increasingly frustrated and angered. As a result, he has taken measures to protect himself, such as innocently humming sophisticated tunes while walking on the streets to avoid being seen as a potential wrongdoer. Moreover, Brent Staples’ essay maintains a consistent and calm tone throughout, adding to its overall impact.
The piece contains both short and long sentences, making it engaging and focused. Staples avoids using overly complex words to prevent the audience from getting overwhelmed. The sentences are easy to understand, allowing the audience to analyze and draw conclusions effectively. Additionally, the essay includes descriptive adjectives that are strategically placed for maximum impact.
The portrayal in “Just Walk on By” consistently creates a vivid image, enhancing the reader’s enjoyment and leaving a lasting impression. The essay’s memorability effectively ensures that the audience retains the message, which was likely the author’s intention. Additionally, the author includes personal anecdotes, adding a casual tone that prompts readers to contemplate the topic and lends credibility to their words. This approach also allows readers to potentially draw connections to their own experiences.
Brent Staples skillfully employs a range of literary devices to enhance the potency and clarity of his work, effectively challenging preconceived notions and engendering empathy for the discrimination faced by black men. By vividly depicting various scenarios, Staples compels readers to contemplate the implications of racial profiling. He adeptly captures readers’ attention and compels them to engage in introspection, thereby highlighting the struggles he has personally endured as a result of pervasive discrimination.
