of others, and of how his everyday life was under continuous scrutiny by a white society that both feared and misunderstood him. He discusses how black men are frequently victimized by white racist presumptions about their characters that are based solely upon the color of their skin.

Writing from the perspective of a black man, Staples makes his point right away in the essay by describing an encounter with a white woman while he is out for a late night walk. Her obvious fear of him even though she has no logical personal reason to fear him makes him realize that he has “the ability to alter public space in ugly ways.” (Staples) If her reaction to him had been an isolated incident he would not have reached such a conclusion, but unfortunately, such experiences are all too common in his life. Simply because he is black, many white people automatically assume he is up to no good and react accordingly.

These examples from the author’s life demonstrate to me how black people must always be on the defensive, and constantly be prepared to be accused of something or be mistrusted by white people. Tragically, the entire race is stereotyped as criminal and dangerous by millions of white Americans because of racism and the actions of a small minority of violent blacks.

Staples, Brent. “A Black Man Ponders His Power To Alter Public Space.” In The Borzoi College Reader. New York: Knopf, 1990.

Some topics in this essay:
Brent Staples, Public Space”, alter public, Man’s Perspective, “a black ponders, Alter Public, ponders power alter, Black Ponders, power alter public, Ponders Power, Power Alter, alter public space”, black ponders power, “a black, ponders power, black ponders, power alter, public space”, brent staples, white people, reading essay, Space” Brent, late night, Staples Brent, York Knopf,