Salvatore DiFranco
Mark Raines
English 007
08/20/14

 Staples vs. Heilbroner
	I have been asked by the administration at CCM to recommend which article I find suitable for all incoming freshmen to read in preparation for the upcoming seminar. The two articles up for discussion include: “Don’t Let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgments” by Robert L. Heilbroner and “Black Men and Public Space” by Brent Staples. These two articles are both appropriate reads for incoming freshmen at CCM. However one of the two excels in some points whereas the other lacks. Despite both articles being enticing reads Staples “Black Men and Public Space” is hands down the superior read of the two.
	As you read the first sentence of Staples “Black Men and Public Space” you are immediately pulled into the article. This exceptionally well thought out sentence leaves you wondering what comes next. “My first victim was a woman-white, well dressed, probably in her late twenties.” After reading this introductory sentence it is impossible to resist the urge to discover what comes next in the article. Staples also includes interesting small stories throughout the article to continue grabbing the reader’s attention. He constantly introduces new stories to the reader to keep the material fresh and interesting. While Staples does a splendid job in keeping the writer awake and reading his article, Heilbroner certainly does not do the same.
	From the moment I read the first sentence of Heilbroner’s article “Don’t Let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgements” I saw a very evident difference compared to Staples. “Is a girl called Gloria apt to be better-looking than one called Bertha?” This first line is not the least bit catching to the reader, and secondly poses a question. I personally don’t mind articles asking questions, but this certainly is no way to open the introductory paragraph. This first sentence is followed by a series of questions throughout the introductory paragraph. Writing in this format leaves the reader answering questions instead of being pulled into the reading. Another area in which these two articles contrast is the source of their information.
	Staples entire article is written in a first hand experience. This means he has directly experienced the topic of black men and public space. Someone who has experienced a situation first hand can more easily explain the situation at hand. When Staples says, “After dark, on the warrenlike streets of Brooklyn where I love, I often see women who fear the worst from me”, he is saying this from personal experience. He has had women be incredibly afraid of him so he truly knows what it’s like, where Heilbroner pulls his information from is a completely different situation.
	Unlike Staples article Heilbroner’s is written with all information from other sources instead of the author. Within the first few paragraphs of Heilbroner’s written work he states, “Yet, from all the evidence at hand, most of us believe these things. Ask any college boy if he’d rather take his chances with a  Gloria or a Bertha……” this quote stated here proves that Heilbroner doesn’t use any of his own evidence because he simply has none. If he has to use other peoples evidence he obviously doesn’t have enough first hand experience to cover this topic. As Staples speaks from first hand experience he sympathizes with both sides equally.
	In an article such as Staples it is only fair to momentarily see the view through the other person's eyes. “I understand, of course, that the danger they perceive is not a hallucination. Women are particularly vulnerable to street violence, and young black males are drastically overrepresented ed among the perpetrators of that violence.” As much as Staples may not enjoy the scare everyone receives when he is in public he certainly understands why people feel that way. Heilbroner is the exact opposite not sympathizing with the other side at all.
	Throughout the article Heilbroner only focuses on people stereotyping and that it’s wrong. The article however fails to introduce points as to why at some times stereotyping can be good. Also the article generalizes and states that we all stereotype which isn’t necessarily always true. “Why is it that we stereotype the world in such irrational and harmful fashion?” In this particular quote Heilbroner is generalizing that we all stereotype the world. He fails to mention that not all people are stereotypical of others.
	Overall both articles are written very well. However when it comes to grabbing the reader’s attention, speaking from experience, and sympathizing with both sides there is clearly a better choice. The article “Black Men and Public Space” should be chosen for upcoming freshmen to be read before their first semester at CCM. Despite both articles discussing enticing reads Staples “Black Men and Public Space” is hands down the superior read of the two.