RAB Source Entry 1 – Bithiah

My research question is: How have negative stereotypes affected African American youths?

Source Entry for “Beyond the Stereotypical Image of Young Men of Color.”

PART 1: MLA Citation

Knight, David J. “Beyond the Stereotypical Image of Young Men of Color.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 15 Nov. 2017, https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/01/beyond-the-stereotypical-image-of-young-men-of-color/384194/.

PART 2: SUMMARY

In “Beyond the Stereotypical Image of Young Men of Color,” David J. Knight points out the need to “shut up and listen,” rethink and redefine preconceived views people have about young men of color because there is much more to them than the stereotyped image suggests. Knight talks about how these men might have distinctive experiences and viewpoints that are not often depicted in popular culture or the media. Knight gave an example of some black teenage boys who were falsely accused of rape and assaulting young white ladies. The boys were between 13 to 16 years old, and their names, images, and addresses were made public before they were found innocent. He goes on to say that young boys of color are often considered guilty before proven innocent. He also discusses how news about black males being killed serves as a wake-up call to young men of color that their lives are undervalued within their own country. These killings evoke in black young men painful recollections of racially charged confrontations with strangers and police officers that may have ended much worse. Knight cited another instance where George Yancy wrote in his op-ed piece about having an unpleasant experience with a police officer. The officer assumed he was carrying a weapon and nearly shot him when he was carrying a gift from his mother: a brand-new telescope. According to Knight, people must “shut up and listen” and change their focus away from policing and toward new ways of seeing. The writer concluded with the statement, “Change first and foremost lies with Americans, who need to engage imaginatively with these young men to build new understanding.”

PART 3: REFLECTION

This article emphasizes the need to reconsider and change preconceived notions people have about young men of color because there is much more to them than the stereotypical image portrays. I agree with the author’s information because young men of color have a variety of outstanding characteristics and abilities and should not be reduced to the stereotypes that are promoted by the media. People apply concepts they see in the media and do not recognize the minds and souls of these young men. They forget that they need to recognize and acknowledge them for who they are, rather than seeing them as a physical threat because of one story about someone who looks like them.

PART 4: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

The Atlantic article, “Beyond the Stereotypical Image of Young Men of Color,” by David J. Knight, is a feature piece. The audience is the general reading public. The purpose of this article is to inform. The author’s writing style is factual. He uses research facts and evidence to support his claim. This article has a logical and objective tone. Knight successfully persuades readers by using the appeal of logos. Knight is a credible source because he is an affiliated researcher with the Justice in Schools Project at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. He has written for The Washington Post, Harvard Educational Review, and Education Week. The Atlantic is a credible source because it scored an average Factual Grade of 67.3%, placing the magazine in the 71st percentile of our dataset. The Atlantic scores above average due to strong sourcing of information from reliable sources and due to experienced, repeat authors who show topical knowledge.

PART 5: NOTABLE QUOTABLES

“Young men of color often feel the burning glare of misperception early on in school, where teachers and other officials are more likely to perceive their actions and emotions as disrespectful or defiant,” (Knight, paragraph 14).

“We need to “shut up and listen,” and shift our thinking away from policing and toward new ways of seeing,” (Knight, paragraph 17).

Bell Hooks, the cultural critic says, “We are lacking in our ability to “see the depths” of goodness and possibility in others as well as in ourselves,” (Knight, paragraph 22).

Psychologist Niobe Way, a professor and co-convener of the Project for the Advancement of Our Common Humanity at NYU says, “Interventions—or “love interventions,” as Way calls them—are needed to counter the devastating forces of racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression,” (Knight, paragraph 27).

“Change first and foremost lies with Americans, who need to engage imaginatively with these young men in order to build new understanding,” (Knight, paragraph 29).