Cultural Intolerance

Cultural Intolerance

Introduction

In, Black Men and Public Spaces, Brent Staples describes how it took him nearly 22 years to realize that black men were a part of a stereotypical and discriminatory world. As the main character, he talks about his experience, which is the universal symbol of the “black experience.” The title is ironic because public space is supposedly available to everyone, but socially speaking, that does not appear to be that way for black men, even in today's society. For African Americans, education and professional competence have both been critical tools for racial uplift particularly among the Black middle class.

For these upwardly mobile individuals, demonstrating competence and ability is a central strategy for combating racism. Alternatively, religion is also an important strategy in managing racial stigma. Much has been written on the ways in which the Black church has helped African Americans cope with racism. Providing a network of solidarity as well as the promise of happiness in the afterlife, the church acted as a cultural buffer against the stigma of race and, in some cases, worked to mobilize Blacks against discrimination (Bailey, 2006, p83).

The black men were considered rulers of the land and considered to be the alpha male. Their dominance maintained order and established family unity and traditions. The black male was seen as the most powerful being. That was until they were discovered by explorers who were intrigued by foreign land. Shortly thereafter, blacks were forced into slavery and taken from their natural land. The dominance that these men once had was being tested. They were no longer the head but had to follow behind another man. They were stripped from their dignity and pride. Black women and children were no longer able to count on the black man to protect them because he was now powerless.

The contributions that have been made to America by the black man are far too great to sum up as minimal. Beginning as early as Colonial wars the black man has always played apart. Although it was for his own judgment and not necessarily the cause he fought because he believed that by fighting for this country he would gain his freedom and ultimately his self respect back. This country was built on the backs of slaves and America has won many wars with the participation of blacks by their sides. Yet today's society still does not acknowledge the journey and challenges that black man have had to endure. Even less, they refuse to see why they have evolved into such a hardened shell. Society condemns this demeanor and uses legislation to hold it against them.

Discussion

The phenomenon of stereotyping still exists in the ever changing globalized world of effective human rights. Laws and policies got passed over the past few decades in an effort to create an equal playing field for blacks and other minorities that lag behind whites in most categories, including income levels and graduation rates. Whether, or not these policies many of which ...