Sense of Alienation in "Night Walker"

Brent Staples in his essay "Night Walker" describes his own sense of being different because he is a tall black man who walks the streets at night, a victim of insomnia. He describes people on the street as his victims, however, though in truth they are only victims of their own fear. This is a fear in this society, a racial fear of the young black male, the prototype for the urban street predator seeking real victims to rob, maim, and kill. This is a stereotype that has been fostered and promoted by the media, not necessarily intentionally, but methodically and continuously. Staples does nothing overt that would make him a threat, and yet he sees the terror in the eyes of others he passes on the street. The fear he sees is both irrational and in some ways understandable, but it is clearly a barrier to the racial understanding sought in this society.

The author found this fear a decade ago in chicago, and he refers to his "first victim," a woman on a deserted street in Hyde Park. He notes that he was a discreet and non-threatening distance behind her, but from her point of view, the threat was there simply because a young black male was in the vicinity and she was unprotected. This young man at that time was also bearded and had long hair, and he was wearing a military jacket with his hands thrust into the pockets. However, the fear might have been just as real had he been dressed in a suit and tie given that it is his size, youth, and black complexion that create th

Related Essays

Richard Wright's"The Man Who Was Almost A Man" .... he shows great affection and a sense of deep .... Rage, pain, humiliation, powerless, alienation, wanting what cannot be .... retrieves the gun late at night and fires .... (1637 7 )

Building an American Identity .... Mailer's "The Armies of the Night, Maxine Hong .... Washington's common sense was directed right at the .... science and technology produce [an] alienation from history .... (3283 13 )

Juvenile Violence and Demographics .... protection; 4) to obtain a sense of self .... a community that are indicative of disorganization and alienation. .... The Night Eyes Program requires officers working .... (8236 33 )

Prevention and Gang-Related Crime .... protection; 4) to obtain a sense of self .... a community that are indicative of disorganization and alienation. .... The Night Eyes Program requires officers working .... (9120 36 )

Native Son .... until the next world or go to night school in .... males created racial community, combated social alienation in Chicago .... the 1930s, and ultimately made sense of a .... (10529 42 )

Category: Psychology - S