Trisha Hsiao

Reluctant Marginalization

From time to time, there has been a heated debate about racial discrimination towards black. Is it because of discriminating status in the society that results in their revengeful violence and wrongdoings, or is it because of the neglected economic and education background of the black which leads to their high crime rate? The answer has always been a vicious circle when it comes to the discussion of the minority, especially black people. After 1960s the racial discrimination movement, Americans seem to come up with an agreement to avoid public opinion against black people. No one wants to be associated with racists but somehow black people still can’t feel they are in a relatively equal status, especially in some certain occasions, they might tend to be marginalized or worse, to be evaded with a hostile attitude.

Mass pressure might stop people behaving against racism but it won’t stop their stereotype towards the black. The fear, or say the suspicion still exists in people’s mind, particularly single women. Due to the enormous incidents of black rape and crimes in the United States, it is normal for women who walk at night to stay alert. However, to a black intellectual like Staples, this reasonable self-defensive reaction somehow takes his innocent presence as a criminal intention. These means of defense go beyond than just marginalization; it is the language of fear that destroys the blacks’ dignity the most.

“Thunk, Thunk, Thunk”, needless to say, the sound of hammering the door locks shows the antagonism and terror of people who see a huge and strong black walking at night passing them. Scenes of murder, rape and robbery emerge from their minds. They lock up their doors, and also block up their attitude of openness and acceptance. Unpleasant words uttered by people whose job is to maintain the peacefulness in public place would presuppose ones’ intention of making troubles even without any causes.

People like Staples have to get used to the language of fear, but when he first encountered it, all he felt was surprised, embarrassed and dismayed at the same time as he labels himself as a softy intellectual who even dare not kill a raw chicken. On the contrary, being perceived as a six feet two inches tall man with beard and billowing hair, it is only a threat to the others. Of course he takes their terror as a rational reaction, for there is actually an existence of high crime records from his fellows. From paragraph 6 we could know women’s perception of danger when they see young black male walking with them on the street is not only an illusion. However, the alienation of being suspected or being set apart is not altogether a racial issue. Though race takes a great part in this alienation, one’s behavior in public space might be taken into account as well.

Walking at night with hands shoved into the pockets of military jacket obviously seemed menacing to the pedestrians; dashing into the office might be considered as burglar as well. For his color and his appearance, softening himself by avoiding walking in shadow or whistling classic melodies during night walks would definitely ease the tension and anxiety of the others. As a result, his involuntarily being marginalized by people is not only because of his color but also because of his size. When a black man is associated with a macho man, bad things pop out in people’s mind.

In order not to be perceived as dangerous in public space, one should take precautions for others and also for oneself. Nobody would want to possess this reluctant power to alter public space. This is probably not the case of discrimination, but how one presents oneself in public place. It is miserable when one is mistaken of something he didn’t do by merely judging on his appearance, BUT it will be more miserable if one put himself into trouble without the precaution of self-awareness.