Editorial Post Number Three

     The last article I read by Brent Staples was regarding race. He is a black man and wrote a very good article published on June 14th about the topic. Finishing off my reading, I have learned that Staples can write a quick entertaining editorial, and a gripping controversial piece. He does both very well and never fails to keep a reader intrigued.
     "Even Now, There's Risk in 'Driving While Black'," is an editorial piece that speaks a strong message to the audience. He is speaking from his personal point of view. He speaks for the African American population having to cope with misconceptions in a sometimes unfair world. The first paragraph really grabs the reader because it supports his argument. "The experience of being mistaken for a criminal is almost a rite of passage for African-American men. Security guards shadow us in stores. Troopers pull us over for the crime of “driving while black.” Nighttime pedestrians cower by us on the streets." This statement was an emotional and attention grabbing way to start off this editorial. 
     He has a very strong, although biased, opinion towards the subject. Staples feels that the idea that the U.S. is becoming a "post racial" country is indeed a "lie." He uses various examples of when blacks were misjudged or the "American people" saw them in a negative light regardless of the honest circumstances. Staples talks about experiments done and data collected that showed African Americans are continued to be trapped by long lasting stereotypes. 
     Staples concludes his powerful argument by mentioning the election of our first African American president. He writes that although this may be a step, it is up to the people to change negative perceptions to ensure less harsh stereo types in the future. I loved this editorial because he had tons of data and examples of when his race affected a situation, whether that was a job interview or an experiment.  
     After reading, this one article has already opened my eyes to what is happening and what the people can and need to do. We are the ones causing pain and discomfort within our own community.  In this day and age, biased opinions such as these should be unheard of. Sadly illustrated here, as a whole many Americans have not moved on from past stereotypes. After reading this article, Staples' argument stands strong, effective, and hopefully changed at least one heart.