Racial discrimination and prejudice has been a widely used theme in American literature, especially in the twentieth century. Few writers, however, have been able to provoke the reader into experiencing the trauma and distress that racial prejudice causes. The few who have managed to do so have succeeded largely by virtue of their ability to put to good use the techniques of good writing. One such technique is the use of illustrations that help readers visualize clearly the emotions and feelings of sufferers from racial prejudice. Indeed, Staples in his Black Men and Public Space uses exactly this technique to make his point about how racial prejudice can lead to the condemning of innocent African-American citizens.

Interestingly, Staples does not, at any point, try to enter into a discussion about social injustices. Instead, he concentrates on describing his personal experiences of being feared and avoided merely because he was a "youngish black man...six feet two inches with a beard...." (Staples, p.352) Indeed, Staples succeeds in horrifying his readers precisely because he stays away from expressing any anger. As he observes, "I came to doubt the virtues of intimidation early on. I chose...timid, but a survivor." (p.354) Staples's use of such contrasting imagery between timidity and the physical appearance of a "broad six feet two" man further serves to create an impact on his readers, as the contrasting illustrations succeed in arousing reader sympathy. But perhaps, more than anything else, it is Staples's ability to use his illustrations to draw vivid images, in a mild tone, which results in creating the desired impact on his readers. Take, for instance, his comparison of a mugger warbling Vivaldi's Four Seasons with a hiker wearing a cowbell in bear country! A clever, but subtle, dig at the foolish behavior of society!

Though I have never really experienced the horror of being alienated by racial prejudice, my sympathies are entirely with the black people and other stereotyped minorities. Indeed, if I were ever to experience the type of discrimination described by Staples, I would feel both very sad and angry about being treated like an alien or criminal, and never being given even a chance to prove otherwise.

Works Cited

Staples, B. "Black Men and Public Space." The Rinehart Reader. Wyrick, J. ed. Third

Edition. P. 352-355.