I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings novel
Based on Maya's Chapter 3 incident and Staples' incidences of racism, you are to compare and/or contrast the two readings.
Brainstorming ideas for the prompt:
What is the context for both readings?
Who is involved?
Were the reasons for acting the way they did, the same or different?
This is only a paragraph, so do not try to compare and/or contrast too much.
Make sure your topic sentence is clear about whether you are comparing and/or contrasting. Be sure to use keywords such as contrast, different, similar, and both, etc.
Topic Sentence: Both Maya Angelou’s Chapter 3 incident and Brent Staples’ experiences of racism highlight the pervasive nature of discrimination, but they differ in terms of the contexts, individuals involved, and the reasons underlying their actions.
In Maya Angelou’s Chapter 3 incident from her autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” she recounts a traumatic incident where she was sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend. This incident takes place in the racially segregated southern United States during the mid-20th century. The individuals involved are Maya herself and her mother’s boyfriend. The reasons underlying the assault can be attributed to the power dynamics between an adult figure and a vulnerable young girl, rather than racial prejudice.
On the other hand, Brent Staples’ incidences of racism, as described in his essay “Black Men and Public Space,” occur during his daily experiences as an African American man in urban America in the late 20th century. Staples encounters numerous instances where white individuals react with fear or suspicion towards him solely based on his race. The individuals involved in these encounters are often strangers on the street. The reasons behind their actions can be attributed to racial stereotypes and societal prejudices, which lead to the fear and discomfort experienced by these individuals when encountering a black man.
In summary, while both Maya Angelou’s Chapter 3 incident and Brent Staples’ experiences of racism shed light on discrimination, they differ in terms of context, individuals involved, and the underlying reasons behind their actions. Angelou’s incident highlights the vulnerability of a young girl within a specific familial context, while Staples’ encounters emphasize the pervasive impact of racial stereotypes on everyday interactions in society.