QUESTIONS BASED ON THE ARTICLES
How does Staples in the article, “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space,” describe himself? How is he perceived byothers?
Staples begins his essay by discussing the effect of his presence on another person. However, others’ reactions to hispresence affect him in return, and he spends much of the essay explaining the emotional and practical effects he experiences as a consequence of his interactions. How is the complication and paradox of these situations expressed by the last sentence about Staples’ whistling classical music being the “equivalent of the cowbell that hikers wear when they know they are in bear country” (paragraph 12)?
How does Ortiz Cofer in the article, “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria,” describe herself? How is she perceived by others?
What do the two articles have in common if anything?
The person with whom you find yourself identifying in a story sometimes depends on your own identity. With whom did you identify at the start of Staples’ essay and Ortiz Cofer’s essay, and how did it affect your reading of the full piece?
Are Staples and Ortiz Cofer describing stereotyping, discrimination, or racism? Explain.
As New Yorkers, particularly from the Bronx or Harlem or Washington Heights, we all like to think that we are open minded. However, how do you view young teenagers of color when you are walking or seeing them on the corner or on the subway, especially if you are alone?
Describe a situation where you found yourself stereotyping a person or group of people. Were you surprised by your own ability to stereotype people?
Are there any connections to Ortiz Cofer’s growing up Latina, particularly Puerto Rican and your experiences growing up Latina in New York? (Latina women only answer the question)
Has anything changed in terms of perception of the majority culture towards those of us who are Black and/or Latino/Latina? If so, what?
article: justwalkonbyblackmenandpublicspace.pdf
The Myth of the Latin Woman.pdf
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