Human Race Is Highly Social in Nature.

¶ … human race is highly social in nature. This fact is evident in the way people seek to build relationships that result in a sense of belonging, companionship and connection. Unfortunately, this perfectly natural human desire is often thwarted when people from different cultures intermingle. In such situations, the dominant culture tends to stereotype ethnic and minority groups leading to the latter experiencing a feeling of isolation and alienation. Besides the feeling of not belonging, stereotyping, as Judith Ortiz Cofer and Brent Staples point out, can also result in the worst sort of social injustice, and that is, the failure to recognize people as individuals in their own right.

Judith Ortiz Cofer, a poet, novelist and short story writer, grew up in New Jersey. A Puerto Rican by birth and upbringing, Cofer repeatedly experienced the indignity of being stereotyped. Not surprisingly, therefore, Cofer's writings reflect her Puerto Rican experience. For instance, in her essay, "The Myth of the Latin Woman," Cofer describes how Latin women are automatically seen as sexual firebrands and "hot tamales." To substantiate her point, Cofer elucidates on some of her own personal experiences, which she relates in a half-humorous tone, while nevertheless making her sense of indignation and injustice felt. In fact, Cofer makes no bones about the fact that the goal of her writing is to get her audiences to see the universal truths that lie beyond the stereotypes of skin color, accents, and clothes. By doing so, Cofer hopes that her writings will reach a wide enough audience and help end the injustices perpetuated by stereotyping.

Like Cofer, Brent Staples, too, uses his writing to reflect how the black community possesses the same universal emotions and desires as any other. Interestingly, Staples's credentials serves to drive home the messages in his work. For, when a distinguished member of the New York Times editorial board elaborates on how the mere presence of black people can serve to alter public space in ugly ways, his writing succeeds in leaving the reader with a sense of shame and guilt over just how unjust stereotyping can be. In fact, there is a sense of horror that such a distinguished member of society can be mistaken for a mugger, rapist and dangerous element of society simply by virtue of being a tall, black man. But perhaps the most effective method that Staples uses to arouse sympathy and outrage amongst his readers is in his description of the steps he takes to avoid being stereotyped. Indeed, by sharing his decision to suppress his rage, remain timid, give a wide berth to nervous people, and whistle classical tunes as an equivalent of the cowbell that hikers wear, Staples effectively succeeds in showcasing the degree of injustice that stereotyping can cause.