Brent Staples "Just Walk on By" (Reading Journal)

          The essay, Just Walk on By, written by Brent Staples, is an informative essay in my opinion. The essay announces the topic of racial profiling and how it is affecting specific races and ethnicities. The author makes a point that specifically black males are consistently accused of being a mugger, rapist or any criminal of that sort. When first reading this essay, I was moved by the pain of him simply walking through the streets, or entering in a store and being pointed at and questioned by police.

          The women whom the author runs into while walking in a neighborhood is alarmed and walks away just because of his race. I can understand being a woman and fearing a man late at night; however, this is constantly in effect in blaming “black men”. Racial profiling is still in society today and in my opinion, it increases people of those specific races to be involved in more criminal activity. This author however stood up for himself and decided that a change was needed. He says, “ I began to take precautions to make myself less threatening. I move about with care, particularly late in the evening. I give a wide berth to nervous people on subway platforms during the wee hours, particularly when I have exchanged business clothes for jeans.” He is changing himself to look better in society and not having to worry about being accused of something he is not.

          Just by walking around in the streets, if someone glanced upon him and notices his race, they automatically freak out and profile the innocent man just because of his ethnicity. The poll of how mostly Hispanics and Blacks are most likely to commit a crime is just ridiculous. People to this day stereotype different ethnicities because of past occurrences that may have happened. The 9/11 attack points fingers at Arabs and the media promotes this by constantly reminding people of the tragic event and which race is responsible.

          Racial profiling is an important topic in the world today and people ignore it. So many people have to hide in their houses; several Arabs are afraid and avoid airports. This is outrageous and should be stopped. I can relate to this essay. Being Indian, I am mistaken as being a terrorist yet they know nothing of my cultures background. I believed those who have committed a crime should be punished reasonably; however, the innocent ones who share the same race should not have to turn away in shame. It is so sad that people have to change themselves, just as staples did to look better in the eyes of society. He says, “ I learned to smother the rage I felt so often being taken for a criminal. Not to do so would surely have led to madness.” Different races are being emotionally hurt and someone needs to speak up or before we know it everyone will be pointing fingers at each other.