Comprehension:
1. He says victim due to her assumption that the man following her was a criminal looking to do her harm.
2. He is referring to that now certain people will judge him based on his color and possible move out of the space around him.
3. It makes deciphering the way someone looks more difficult in addition to people are more cautious walking the streets when they can’t see who or what is following you.
4. The making of a young thug has to e (in his opinion) is the consummation of the male romance with the power to intimidate. It’s because men are breed to be tough and not back down without a fight and after seeing a thug in action, what better way to become tough then to be a thug.
5. He does what any person who avoids conflict does, he sticks to the shadows and avoids being caught; survives.
-Nick Franze
Purpose and Audience
What is Staple’s Thesis?
In the second paragraph on page 239, his statement saying, “It was in the echo of that terrified woman’s footfalls that I first began to know the unwieldy inheritance I’d come into-- the ability to alter public space in ugly ways.” was his thesis statement.
2. Does Staples use logic, emotion, or a combination of the two to appeal to his readers? How appropriate is his strategy?
Staples blends exemplification and imagery to evoke in the reader’s mind his perspective on being an African American male in New York, and in the process highlights specific issues of race that black males experience in America. The conviction behind his words and his ability to use logic to tie together his ideas
3. What preconceptions does Staples assume his audience has? How does he challenge these preconceptions?
He implies subtly that his audience might share the same prejudices and preconceived notions about African American males that others in his examples do. He challenges this by showcasing and explaining his experiences being judged too quickly based on his ethnicity and appearance as an African American male, trying to illustrate that racist narratives don’t reflect the prevailing truth.
4. What is Staples trying to accomplish with his first sentence? Do you think he succeeds? Why or why not?
He wants to hook the reader in by not only using dramatic and threatening wording, but he also sets up a scene in the reader's mind prior to the assault of a white woman at night, the purpose being to illustrate first-hand for his audience how people tend to view African American males. He then follows this hook with a thesis and essay that highlights the struggle of African American men, and his own struggles growing up in a society that ostracizes him based on his ethnicity, and glorifies intimidation and violence within his culture.
He succeeds because the contrast between the hook and the content of the essay helps drive his point home with the reader.
-Charles Sigwarth
Style and Audience
1.Why does staples mention Norman Podhoretz? Could he make the same points without referring to Podhoretz’s essay?
Staples mentions Norman Podhoretz as a promoter of making african americans as bad people. He can make the same point without mentioning Podhoretz but, including the standpoint of a racist leader makes his essay stronger.
2. Staples begins his essay with an anecdote. How effective is this strategy? Do you think another opening strategy would be more effective? Explain.
Staples strategy of including an anecdote at the beginning is very effective due to it catching your attention from the first couple words, making you thirst for the rest of the essay. No other opening strategy would be more effective to the context of the story.
3. Does staples present enough examples to support his thesis? Are they representative? Would other types of examples be more convincing? Explain.
Staples uses around 20 examples to get his point across, and support his main idea. His using of personal examples to support his main idea adds very vivid imagery along with the detail he adds, however his descriptions also make him seem a bit intimidating.
4. In What order does staples present his examples? Would another order be more effective?
His examples go from personal examples to non personal examples. The order is good.
5. Synonyms for Thug; criminal, outlaw, gangster, mobster, delinquent, and gangster.
The definitions of these words aren't exactly the same, however, they do convey the same meaning being; Someone who participates in illegal conduct.
-Francisco Elizalde
Journal entry
I have been in a situation where I have perceived someone as scary or a threat. This particular incident happened recently. I was late at night probably a little after ten and I was walking my dog. I live in an apartment so I had to let him out to go to the bathroom. We had headed toward the gate of the complex and as my dog was sniffing around a car started coming our way. Since it was inside the complex and I was next to the gate I didn’t think anything of it. I was standing right next to where the cars exit and the driver slowed down but then did not exit and drove past. The car then turned around and drove back then did exit. I followed after while the gate was open so we could walk in the neighborhood. I saw the car put his brake lights on and pull over not too far away. The gate closed behind me and a man got out of the car. I had to go to the keypad to reopen the gate and he looked at me as I looked at him. I got past the gate and he sat back in his car but stayed there. I left, and I would do the exact same thing again.
3) Staple’s statement is accurate however a little over exaggerate if he is saying men as a whole. I think guys do have male pride and power to intimidate. For example, we have only had male presidents. I think by this statement he is trying to say that because men are seen this way then no matter what he does he will be seen as a threat and intimidates. This is defiantly the norm for male upbringing. Men tend to be taller, stronger, run faster, and do laborious things. I also think that having much more testosterone helps men fill this role.
Katherine Salerno
